Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Pigman. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: John and Lorraine, two teenagers who befriended the lonely widower Mr. Pignati, throw a wild party in his house while he is in hospital. He comes home to find his late wife's precious pig collection smashed, and soon after, on a trip with the teens to the zoo, he dies of a heart attack after learning his beloved baboon has died.
Quick facts
– Book: The Pigman by Paul Zindel
– First published: 1968
– Type: A young adult novel
– Tone of the ending: Tragic
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
John and Lorraine, bored and unhappy at home, make a prank call and meet Mr. Pignati, a lonely old man. They visit him often, and he treats them warmly. He collects ceramic pigs and talks about his wife Conchetta, who he says is away, though she is dead.
What Happens at the End of The Pigman
Mr. Pignati has a heart attack and asks the teens to watch his house. They throw a party that gets out of control. Mr. Pignati returns and is devastated. They try to apologize, but at the zoo he learns his baboon friend Bobo has died. He collapses and dies. John and Lorraine realize their responsibility for their actions.
The Ending in 5 Quick Points
- The party betrays Mr. Pignati.
- Bobo's death breaks him.
- The teens learn that adults are not the only ones to blame.
- Mr. Pignati dies.
- The teens grow up.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| John Conlan | Feels responsible |
| Lorraine Jensen | Feels responsible |
| Mr. Pignati | Dies |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the consequences of selfishness and the loss of innocence.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate how much blame the teens deserve, since Mr. Pignati was already ill and lonely. The novel is told in alternating chapters by John and Lorraine, written as a confession, so their guilt shapes the whole book. The last line, about their own lives being their responsibility, is often quoted.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Responsibility. Actions have consequences.
Loneliness. Mr. Pignati is lonely.
Growing up. The teens mature.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Pigman as tragic. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Paul Zindel 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 tragic will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Paul Zindel 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.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Pigman 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 responsibility, and do you agree with Paul Zindel'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 tragic, 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 responsibility 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 Paul Zindel 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 Pigman often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Pigman 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 Pigman on Amazon
Books to Read After The Pigman
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Pigman?
John and Lorraine, two teenagers who befriended the lonely widower Mr. Pignati, throw a wild party in his house while he is in hospital. He comes home to find his late wife's precious pig collection smashed, and soon after, on a trip with the teens to the zoo, he dies of a heart attack after learning his beloved baboon has died.
Is the ending of The Pigman happy or sad?
Most readers call it tragic.
What does the ending of The Pigman mean?
The ending shows the consequences of selfishness and the loss of innocence.
Who wrote The Pigman and when was it published?
The Pigman was written by Paul Zindel and first published in 1968.
Is The Pigman worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Paul Zindel prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Pigman before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.