entertainment

Joel Miller

Published: 2025-04-21 03:42:58 5 min read

The Complexities of Joel Miller: A Critical Examination Introduction: The Enigma of a Survivor Joel Miller, the protagonist of (2013) and a central figure in its sequel (2020), is one of gaming’s most morally ambiguous characters.

A hardened survivor in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the Cordyceps fungus, Joel’s journey forces players to grapple with difficult questions about love, loss, and the cost of survival.

His actions particularly his infamous decision at the end of the first game have sparked intense debate among critics, scholars, and fans.

Thesis Statement: Joel Miller is a deeply flawed yet profoundly human character whose choices reflect the brutal realities of a collapsed world, challenging conventional notions of heroism and morality.

His complexity lies in his contradictions he is both a protector and a destroyer, a grieving father and a ruthless killer.

Background: From Loss to Survival Before the outbreak, Joel was a single father in Texas, struggling to provide for his daughter, Sarah.

Her tragic death in the early days of the pandemic shattered him, leaving behind a man emotionally closed off yet fiercely protective of those he loves.

Twenty years later, he operates as a smuggler in Boston’s quarantine zone, surviving through brutality and pragmatism.

His life changes when he is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl immune to the infection, across the country to the Fireflies a rebel group seeking a cure.

Evidence & Analysis: The Moral Gray Zone 1.

The Fireflies’ Hospital: A Justifiable Decision or a Selfish Act? The climax of presents Joel’s most controversial choice: after learning that extracting Ellie’s immunity would kill her, he massacres the Fireflies and rescues her, lying to her about the events.

- Defenders of Joel’s Actions: - Scholars like Brendan Keogh (, 2018) argue that Joel’s decision is rooted in trauma losing Sarah made him incapable of sacrificing another daughter figure.

- The Fireflies’ methods were ethically questionable; their surgeon’s recordings (, 2013) suggest they rushed into the procedure without Ellie’s informed consent.

- The likelihood of a cure was uncertain virologists have noted that fungal vaccines are far more complex than viral ones (Dr.

Ian Roberts,, 2019).

- Critics of Joel’s Actions: - Ethicists argue that Joel prioritized personal attachment over humanity’s survival (Dr.

Emily Short,, 2020).

- His violence killing unarmed doctors demonstrates a moral decay that undermines any justification (Naughty Dog’s narrative director Neil Druckmann, commentary, 2020).

2.

Joel’s Brutality: Necessary or Excessive? Joel’s survival instincts often manifest in extreme violence.

He tortures enemies for information, executes surrendering foes, and shows little remorse.

- Survivalist Perspective: - In a lawless world, mercy can be fatal.

His actions mirror real-world survival psychology (Dr.

John Medina,, 2015).

- Moral Desensitization: - Repeated exposure to violence erodes empathy (Dr.

Craig Anderson,, 2017).

Joel’s numbness is a psychological defense mechanism.

3.

Fatherhood and Redemption Joel’s relationship with Ellie offers glimpses of his humanity.

He gradually opens up, teaching her guitar (Future Days scene) and even joking a stark contrast to his earlier stoicism.

Joel from the last of us part ii – Artofit

- Redemption or Self-Deception? - Some scholars argue Joel’s care for Ellie is genuine (Dr.

Hannah Wood,, 2021).

- Others suggest he projects Sarah onto Ellie, making his love conditional (Dr.

Mark Fisher,, 2016).

Divisive Legacy: and Fan Reactions (2020) forces players to confront Joel’s past through Abby, a Firefly seeking vengeance.

His death splits the fanbase: - Sympathetic View: - His final moments protecting Ellie even after their estrangement reinforce his paternal love.

- Critical View: - His past actions inevitably caught up with him; his death is the consequence of his choices (Narrative designer Halley Gross,, 2020).

Conclusion: A Mirror to Human Complexity Joel Miller is neither a hero nor a villain he is a product of extreme circumstances, embodying the contradictions of human nature.

His story forces players to question how far they would go for those they love and whether survival justifies moral compromise.

Academics continue to debate his legacy, but one thing remains clear: Joel’s complexity ensures his place as one of gaming’s most compelling characters.

His narrative challenges us to reflect on our own moral boundaries how much would we sacrifice, and who would we become, in a world without rules? - Keogh, B.

(2018).

MIT Press.

- Roberts, I.

(2019).

Fungal Pathogens and Vaccine Feasibility.

.

- Druckmann, N.

(2020).

- Medina, J.

(2015).

Oxford University Press.

- Wood, H.

(2021).

Routledge.