Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Day of the Triffids. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: Bill Masen, his partner Josella and their small group escape their Sussex farm, which is besieged by triffids and threatened by a military-style government. They flee to the Isle of Wight, where a colony of survivors is working to wipe out the triffids and reclaim the mainland.
Quick facts
– Book: The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
– First published: 1951
– Type: A post-apocalyptic science fiction novel
– Tone of the ending: Hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
After a mysterious green meteor shower blinds most of humanity, Bill, whose eyes were bandaged in hospital, can still see. Triffids, walking carnivorous plants farmed for their oil, begin killing the helpless blind. Bill meets Josella in London, and they join different survivor groups.
What Happens at the End of The Day of the Triffids
Bill and Josella settle on a farm in Sussex with Susan, a young girl, and others. Years pass as triffids gather around the fences. A group led by Torrence arrives, planning a feudal system and taking Susan. Bill tricks them and the group escapes to the Isle of Wight, where Michael Beadley's colony works to fight back.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Bill and Josella survive.
- They escape Torrence.
- The Isle of Wight colony offers hope.
- Humanity plans to fight back.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Bill Masen | Escapes with his family |
| Josella Playton | Escapes with Bill |
| Susan | Escapes with them |
| Torrence | Tricked |
| Michael Beadley | Leads the island colony |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that humanity can rebuild if it works together.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers see the triffids as a metaphor for Cold War fears of biological weapons.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Survival. Humanity adapts.
Society. Different groups try to rebuild.
Nature. The triffids take over.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Day of the Triffids as hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected John Wyndham to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how John Wyndham closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1962 film changes the ending by having triffids dissolved by seawater.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Day of the Triffids with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about survival, and do you agree with John Wyndham's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces survival and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what John Wyndham leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Day of the Triffids often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Day of the Triffids earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Day of the Triffids on Amazon
Books to Read After The Day of the Triffids
- The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham
- The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Day of the Triffids?
Bill Masen, his partner Josella and their small group escape their Sussex farm, which is besieged by triffids and threatened by a military-style government. They flee to the Isle of Wight, where a colony of survivors is working to wipe out the triffids and reclaim the mainland.
Is the ending of The Day of the Triffids happy or sad?
Most readers call it hopeful.
What does the ending of The Day of the Triffids mean?
The ending shows that humanity can rebuild if it works together.
Is the ending of The Day of the Triffids the same in the adaptation?
The 1962 film changes the ending by having triffids dissolved by seawater.
Who wrote The Day of the Triffids and when was it published?
The Day of the Triffids was written by John Wyndham and first published in 1951.
Is The Day of the Triffids worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy post-apocalyptic science fiction novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how John Wyndham prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Day of the Triffids before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.