The Mule is ultimately the journey of an emotionally-burdened man seeking purpose. Eastwood’s tragic hero dedicates his entire life to nothing but horticulture and when internet-driven modernization takes away his job, Earl is reduced to a hopeless and solitary drifter. ButThe Mule ending also provides redemption as Earl finally realizes the importance of his family when he is left alone in a strange new world, one where he must operate burner phones and run from the DEA. The pressure of it all and his guilt of ignoring his family finally changes him, and even though it comes later in life, he still finds peace.