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I been thinking about the interpretation behind the poster in the Toy store which reads : FAILURE IS SUCCESS IF WE LEARN FROM IT.

One can argue that this has a double meaning pertaining to both Joel and Ellie growing closer to each other through out the story.


In reference to what it means to Joel as a person. In the beginning when he was younger he lost his daughter Sarah during the outbreak. And could not save her.He spent the better part of 20 years emotionally shutdown from everyone around him.

Then comes along this 14 year old girl. Who is an orpahan and has trouble trusting people. She is brash,irrational,Stubborn,reckless and sometimes even tells jokes to break the ice. In the beginning we see how both of them do not like each other...and Joel just sees her as cargo.

As the two press on in their journey across the country. Ellie is put into  dangerous situations  resorting to  killing  and at times saving Joels life. During the course of the travels Joel opens up to Ellie after many years of having nobody in his life.

Traveling with Ellie, is  a constant reminder of the memories of Sarah. As he gets to Know Ellie better Joel, mentions that he was once married. And that he was left to raise Sarah, by himself as a young father. Joel's bond with Ellie becomes a closer one over time.

He does not see her as a replacement for Sarah,but in his heart he has adopted Ellie, as a second daughter.Since he has learned again through her to love another person again.

By the end of the story.It is Joel who saves Ellie from herself in the hospital. From making a reckless decision that could of been fatal. This is when we see that Ellie is emotionally shutting down from Joel.

What this means for Joel...is that  even though he saved Ellie. The love or any feelings she had for him died. And he failed to see this.  Since this is the first time in many years that he had someone  that he loved more than himself. That he was willing to put his life on the line for.


Now in reference to what this means to Ellie as a person.She grew up in the Boston Qz as an orphan, and attended a Military prep school. After the death of her friend Riley, and being bitten in by the infected. In a shopping mall.

With her seeing her friend turn into one of the infected. She develops surviors guilt over this. Because she did not turn and is still alive. Three weeks after this Ellie, is passed on to both Joel and Tess as a simple smuggling job.

It turns out Ellie is immune to the infection. And the deal is to escort her to The Capital Building, originally. By the time Tess, Joel and Ellie arrive there. The three of them discover that ( The Fireflies) are dead.

And Tess, has become infected as well.When Tess, sacrifices herself to save both Ellie and Joel...this just deepens her surviors guilt even more. Because someone died trying to protect her.

After this both Ellie and Joel continue making their way across the country together. With Joel,acting as her protector, putting himself in harms way several times for Ellie, so she does not get hurt. All the while she gives him a hard time...for trying to keep her safe.

From here both Ellie and Joel  continue on. Many times we see Ellie wanting to talk about Tess,Henry and Sam dying. But Joel, tells her to drop the subject. Reminding her that life goes on and things happen. 

After arriving at the Dam. Which turns out to be runned by Joel's brother Tommy...after Joel visits with his brother. Explaining that he is to deliever Ellie to (The Fireflies). Ellie hears their heated conversation and takes a horse...and rides off upset.

When both Joel and Tommy arrive at The Ranch, and find Ellie...both her and Joel get into an arguement. Ending with Ellie in tears after Joel, yells at her. Her reaction just shows how much she formed a bond with Joel while being with him. 

After the Winter scene of the story. She,seems to have grown quiet. And less interested in Joel and is just looking to complete the journey. After her near brush with death at the hospital. She shows no emotions towards Joel,  at the end...when they return to Tommy's.

What this means for Ellie...is that her whole life. Her biggest fear was  being abandoned by other people. And here comes this man who  has almost died for her,who has learned to love her, who at the end never abandoned  her. And in the end she herself failed to recognize that she no longer had to be afraid. Of being alone and that she finally had someone who loved her. 


The truth is by the end of the story. They were at an impass on how to communicate with one another. While Joel, is waking up after many years and feels alive again. It was Ellie, who saved Joel, in this way.

And as for Ellie, she feels that her life has no meaning to it. And  is not seeing  that she is no longer alone and has found someone to love her.Because it was Joel, that gave her life meaning again. Which is what she always has wanted which was( To loved by someone,to be validated, to not be abandoned by someone, as well as find somewhere to belong.).


Hence the phrase: FAILURE IS SUCCESS IF WE LEARN FROM IT.

The tragedy at the end. Is that both did learn from each other these things. But neither one can see that they did. Which is why the story ends with so much ambiguity to it.

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