I have been watching this show since it aired, and I love trying to find the deeper meaning to plots, and the story line. We all know how much of an emotional roller coaster it is watching the season 3 finale. There is so much that happens but I’m particularly focused on what Elena was thinking when she decided to die in Matt’s truck. I have four theories for why:
1) It was her fate, she already had a second chance when Stefan saved her the first time and she didn’t feel deserving of a third chance. She thought if she was saved again, she would be cheating death and her fate again.
2) Couldn’t live with the lose of her friends (Damon, Stefan, Caroline, Tyler) who she thought were going to die because Klaus was killed; (Elena didn’t know yet that Klaus didn’t actually die). The flash back scenes were her thinking that she barely survived grieving her parents, and didn’t think she’d be strong enough to grieve 5 (including Matt if Stefan had saved her) of her closest friends.
3) Just wanted Matt to live, at least be able to save one of her friends. She was being selfless.
4) About having control over the situation, being able to make this choice / Stefan always respecting her choices. She didn’t have control when her parents died but she could control the situation this time around.
What does everyone else think? Does anyone have any other ideas about why Elena chose to die in Matt’s truck? I definitely think it was symbolic to have her die there, and it made it so much more emotionally.