The Last of Us: Why Does Ellie Pick Monster at the End of This Book?

In the Season 2 finale of The Last of Us, a small but meaningful moment stands out as Ellie picks up The Monster at the End of This Book, a beloved Sesame Street children’s story. At first, it seems like a simple, tender choice, but the book’s deeper meaning mirrors Ellie’s own dark journey.

Why does Ellie Pick Monster at the End of This book in The Last of Us Season 2 finale?

Ellie and Jesse are waiting in the bookstore for Tommy, and while they’re killing time, Ellie grabs the book off a shelf. It’s a moment of calm, almost tender, in an otherwise violent and emotionally charged episode. With Dina back at the theatre, pregnant and waiting, the book seems like a small gift, maybe something for the future, maybe a way to stay connected.

Jesse notices, saying, “You picked a good one. I should’ve thought of that.” It’s one of the few light moments they share, but it also opens up space for an awkward, half-finished conversation about Ellie and Dina. So yes, the book is a thoughtful choice, but it’s also a window into everything Ellie’s holding back.

Now, The Monster at the End of This Book is more than just a nostalgic children’s story in The Last of Us Season 2 finale. In the book, Grover spends the whole book panicking about a monster at the end, begging readers not to turn the page. But when they finally get there, the twist is that the “monster” is Grover himself.

That idea hits hard when it relates to Ellie’s arc. This season is all about her obsession with revenge, hunting Abby for killing Joel, no matter the cost. She believes she’s chasing a monster. But as the story continues, and as she crosses moral lines, the show starts asking a brutal question: Is Ellie turning into the very thing she hates? Just like Grover, she might find that the real monster is herself.

The show has always loved using pop culture in subtle, emotional ways, whether it’s old comic books, songs, or fictional movies. But The Monster at the End of This Book wasn’t in the Last of Us games, the showrunners chose it on purpose. It’s a quiet metaphor for what Ellie’s going through, and it hits harder because it’s so unexpected.