The Last of Us Part II: How Revenge Destroys Ellie’s Life
Introduction
The Last of Us Part II focuses heavily on Ellie’s desire for revenge after Joel’s death. However, the deeper issue is how this obsession gradually destroys her relationships, happiness, and identity.
1. Ellie’s Life Before Joel’s Death
At the beginning, Ellie lives relatively peacefully in Jackson. She has friends, Dina, and a future that seems possible.
Joel’s death suddenly destroys this stability and leaves Ellie with anger, grief, and guilt.
2. Why Ellie Chooses Revenge
Revenge gives Ellie a clear target for her pain. Instead of accepting Joel’s death, she believes that finding Abby will give her closure.
Her journey to Seattle therefore becomes more than a mission. It becomes an obsession.
3. The Journey to Seattle
Ellie and Dina travel to Seattle searching for Abby. Ellie becomes increasingly violent as she eliminates members of the WLF.
The game makes these enemies feel like real people, showing that Ellie’s revenge is creating more suffering.
4. Ellie Begins Losing Dina
Dina represents the peaceful future Ellie could have chosen. However, Ellie remains focused on Abby.
Even after everything that happens in Seattle, Ellie cannot completely abandon her desire for revenge.
5. Life on the Farm
After Seattle, Ellie lives with Dina and JJ on a farm. For a short time, she has the peaceful life she wanted.
However, memories of Joel’s death continue to affect her. Ellie realizes that she cannot simply forget what happened.
6. Ellie Returns to Revenge
Ellie leaves the farm to search for Abby again. This decision shows how powerful her obsession has become.
She sacrifices her relationship with Dina and her family because she believes killing Abby will finally end her suffering.
7. Finding Abby
Ellie eventually finds Abby in Santa Barbara. Abby is already severely weakened and has suffered greatly.
Despite this, Ellie forces her into one final fight.
8. The Final Battle
Ellie nearly kills Abby, but a memory of Joel stops her.
She realizes that killing Abby will not bring Joel back or remove her pain.
The Important Choice
Ellie finally chooses to let Abby live. This is not forgiveness in a simple sense. It is Ellie refusing to continue the cycle of revenge.
9. What Ellie Loses
When Ellie returns home, Dina and JJ are gone. Ellie has lost the family she could have had.
She has also suffered physical injuries that prevent her from playing the guitar properly.
The guitar represents her connection to Joel, making this loss especially meaningful.
10. Learning to Let Go
The ending shows Ellie leaving the guitar behind and walking away from the empty house.
She does not get her old life back, but she finally begins to accept that Joel is gone.
Conclusion
The Last of Us Part II is ultimately a story about the destructive nature of revenge. Ellie believes killing Abby will end her suffering, but it instead costs her almost everything.
Her final decision to spare Abby represents the first step toward accepting her grief and moving forward.