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This represents how the sons had treated their fathers and sacrificed them for their own survival. It also explains how Ellie had sacrificed his own father for his survival.

This to me shows how if someones life is on the line they are willing to do anything to save themselves. I think most of the father and sons relationships become so different by the end of the story. they are mistreating their fathers and willing to let them die just to save themselves which to me is something I dont think I could do.