Theres a couple of interesting things about the moth motif in tlou:
1. The link it has to “look for the light” because that’s exactly what moths do, they look for the light.
2. Moths representing death, in some cultures moths are a symbol of death, different colours representing different things, that’s not only in dreams but in the physical realm too. This is important because during both parts of the series we watch death sort of follow Ellie around, and claim the people she loves most.
2.5 The representation of death in moths is also built into the physical nature of insects. Many moths, (not all) but a large majority will come out of their chrysalis with only a few days, or even hours in their mature form in order to mate and reproduce, before dying.
They have a built in purpose within their life cycle that runs out by the time they’ve fulfilled it. Sound like someone you know?
The moths do this because their nature requires that they secure the future of their linage. In a similar way that Ellie is repeatedly shown and told that because of her immunity she will save the lives of not just all of humanity but more importantly to her the people she loves. It’s her purpose.
And just like moths, who act almost sacrificially to continue their kind, Ellie believes that it was apart her purpose to die in order to secure the safety of future generations.
Moth symbolism! Heck yeah!
