What is your opinion on the ending of George Orwell's 1984?

So, I read it a couple of months ago and I just can't figure out if when it says that Winston Smith "loved Big Brother" that it means that he physically or metaphorically died. I have been wondering about this for the past two months and can't seem to put the book to rest in my head because I just don't know. I know that Winston is told in Room 101 that his life won't end until he is fully cured which means he must really love Big Brother. It says at the end of the book, if I remember correctly, that he pictures himself walking down a hallway or something and hears a shot ring out, that he knew they'd get him when he least expected it (drinking Victory Ale and playing chess against himself (the white always wins because good always wins)). But I still can't decide if when it says "He loved Big Brother" he died metaphorically or physically because it also says the hallway and the gun-shot were a vision (bear with me, if this is not totally correct it is because I have loaned the book to someone else right now). Please give me your opinions. None of my research has brought up anything. I must know other people's opinions to put Winston Smith to rest!!!!