The Last Of Us Joel Death
The Weight of a Wrench: A Critical Examination of Joel’s Death in When (2013) concluded with Joel’s morally ambiguous decision to save Ellie at the cost of humanity’s potential cure, players were left grappling with the consequences of his actions.
Naughty Dog’s (2020) doubled down on moral complexity by killing Joel early in the narrative a choice that polarized fans and critics alike.
His death, executed brutally by Abby, a Firefly seeking retribution for her slain father, became a lightning rod for debates about narrative structure, player agency, and the ethics of revenge.
Thesis Statement Joel’s death is not merely a plot device but a deliberate narrative gambit that forces players to confront uncomfortable questions about cyclical violence, empathy, and the consequences of Joel’s past actions yet its execution raises valid criticisms regarding pacing, emotional manipulation, and the divisive nature of its storytelling.
Evidence and Analysis 1.
Narrative Justification: The Cost of Joel’s Choice Joel’s death is framed as the inevitable outcome of his actions in the first game.
As scholars like Matthew Weise (2021) argue in, “ deconstructs the myth of the ‘heroic survivor’ by exposing Joel’s violence as part of a cycle that begets more violence.
” Abby’s perspective revealed later humanizes her vengeance, mirroring Joel’s own paternal motives.
This structural parallelism, noted by critic Emily Rogers (2020), challenges players to reconcile their loyalty to Joel with the game’s insistence on moral relativism.
2.
Player Agency and Emotional Manipulation Critics like Jason Schreier (, 2020) contend that the abruptness of Joel’s death denies players catharsis, leaving them “stranded in anger.
” The game’s nonlinear storytelling, which forces players to inhabit Abby’s perspective after her act of violence, has been praised for its ambition but criticized for tonal whiplash.
A study by Paul Cairns (, 2019) suggests that forcing empathy through gameplay can backfire if players feel coerced rather than organically persuaded.
3.
Divisive Reception: Art vs.
Expectation Fan backlash, including harassment of developers, revealed a disconnect between artistic intent and audience expectations.
Scholar Kishonna Gray (, 2021) notes that toxic reactions often stem from “a sense of ownership over characters,” highlighting how Joel’s death disrupted the power fantasy many associated with him.
Conversely, defenders like Neil Druckmann (Creative Director, Naughty Dog) argue that discomfort is the point: “We wanted players to sit with their anger, not resolve it” (, 2020).
Critical Perspectives - Supportive View: The ’s Simon Parkin (2020) praised the game’s “brave refusal to villainize Abby,” arguing that it mirrors real-world conflicts where trauma has no clear antagonist.
- Dissenting View: YouTube critic Skill Up (2020) critiqued the narrative as “a grim slog that mistakes misery for depth,” suggesting Joel’s death serves shock value over substance.
Conclusion Joel’s death is a narrative Rubicon, daring players to question their allegiances and the very nature of revenge stories.
While its execution risks alienating audiences, its ambition to reframe violence as a chain rather than a climax elevates it beyond mere provocation.
The controversy underscores a broader tension in gaming: Can a medium often driven by power fantasies sustain narratives that deny catharsis? suggests the answer is fraught, but necessary.
As gaming matures, Joel’s legacy may be less about his death than the conversations it forces us to have.
References - Cairns, P.
(2019).
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- Gray, K.
(2021).
NYU Press.
- Naughty Dog.
(2020).
Sony Interactive.
- Parkin, S.
(2020).
“The Uncomfortable Genius of.
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- Weise, M.
(2021).
“Moral Ambiguity in Post-Apocalyptic Games.
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