The Ultimate Guide to Arthur’s Redemption in Red Dead Redemption 2: Unveiling the Key Gang Members

Highlights

Mary-Beth's relationship with Arthur was vital for his development, as she listens to his struggles and dreams of a different life, foreshadowing his desire for redemption.

Lenny's demise and the disintegration of the gang play a pivotal role in transforming Arthur's perspective on life, intensifying his determination to uphold moral righteousness. Abigail's unwavering devotion and cunning endeavors, like purloining Dutch's key, motivate Arthur to defend his convictions and guarantee the well-being of the female members within the gang.

Red Dead Redemption 2 stands out as Rockstar's most intricately crafted masterpiece to date. With its boundless gameplay options and meticulous attention to storytelling and side missions, the game immerses every player in the role of a genuine cowboy. However, the true strength lies in the redemption journey of the beloved character, Arthur Morgan.

Arthur's redemption is only made possible through the series of events, guidance, and betrayals he encounters throughout the narrative. No member of the gang is overlooked, each possessing their own distinct personalities and histories that intertwine to create an emotionally charged and extraordinary central story for Arthur.

10 Mary-Beth

Mary-Beth played a crucial role in Arthur's growth. During their time at camp, Arthur confided in Mary-Beth, acknowledging his sense of being overwhelmed and irrational due to his recent behavior. Mary-Beth holds him accountable with grace and kindness.

Unlike most members of the gang, Mary-Beth openly voices her aspirations of leaving the life of an outlaw. While others may dismiss her dreams, Arthur attentively listens and genuinely wishes her success. This serves as a foreshadowing of his own longing for redemption, ultimately leading him to assist anyone in need and prioritize their safety.

9 Lenny

As one of the younger gang members, Lenny consistently felt the need to prove himself, seeking Arthur as a paternal figure. Despite the chaos during the bank robbery, Arthur and Charles are the only ones who turn back to look at Lenny, emphasizing their concern.

Lenny's death occurs swiftly amidst the turmoil, leaving Arthur with no time to process or comprehend the loss. Yet, deep within his psyche, he harbors unresolved PTSD and guilt. Arthur had wanted to safeguard Lenny, but failed to do so. This tragedy, compounded by the events in Guarma, mourning for other fallen gang members, his tuberculosis diagnosis, and the disintegration of the gang, prompts a profound shift in his perspective on life.

8 Abigail

Abigail's loyalty ultimately motivates Arthur to stand up for his convictions. Her surprising sneakiness is evident when she steals the key to Dutch's chest and gives it to Arthur. Instead of keeping it for herself and her immediate family, she prioritizes Arthur.

Regardless of Arthur's honor level, he is always protective and caring towards Abigail. In one of the game's earlier missions, Arthur confronts John about his mistreatment of Abigail and Jack. Arthur values loyalty and possesses a gentle nature beneath his tough exterior. It is for the safety of the women, especially Abigail, that he firmly insists on freeing them from the camp.

7 Sadie

Originally brought into the gang soon after becoming a widow, the player first encounters her when she is at her most vulnerable. However, she gradually evolves into a determined and independent woman. Arthur witnesses this transformation firsthand and offers his support and encouragement.

Sadie always expresses her opinions openly, even if it creates tensions within the camp. Despite not conforming to traditional gender roles, Sadie remains by Arthur's side and continuously reassures him, serving as his unwavering companion and fighting alongside him until the very end. Her unwavering loyalty empowers Arthur to stay true to his principles and do what he believes is right.

6 Hosea

Hosea served as a father figure to Arthur, nurturing him from a tender age and imparting valuable knowledge about life as an outlaw. The loss of Hosea during the tragic bank robbery profoundly affected Arthur, who struggled to cope with his absence. Dutch, in particular, underwent a significant change in behavior following Hosea's demise. Although not the sole reason, Hosea's absence shattered Dutch's trust in others and triggered irrational and self-centered tendencies. Arthur confided in Charles about missing Hosea's invaluable wisdom, recognizing that Hosea always advocated against such negative traits. This further reinforced Arthur's decision to ultimately stand against Dutch.

5 Jack

Arthur's change of heart towards his loyalty to Dutch is not only influenced by the presence of Abigail and Jack as a unit, but also by Jack's own character. Arthur confides in Eagle Flies, revealing that he had a son named Isaac who tragically lost his life during a house robbery. Jack, to Arthur, is a reflection of his son, and the guilt and remorse he carries from his own past drives him to ensure Jack's safety, even if it means opposing those who raised him.

In the climactic mission where Abigail is kidnapped and interrogated by the Pinkertons, Tilly bravely rescues Jack. Micah, however, manages to persuade Dutch to abandon any attempt at rescuing Abigail, even though it would leave a young boy parentless (as John was believed to be deceased at the time). This act ignites a fiery rage within Arthur, becoming his ultimate breaking point in terms of his loyalty to Dutch.

4 Charles

From the start, Charles made all his decisions based on his moral code. He consistently reminds Arthur about what is right and wrong, and he holds him accountable for any unnecessary actions.

Upon learning about his impending death, Charles advises Arthur that there is still an opportunity to make things right and improve his actions. He becomes the catalyst for Arthur's decision to assist Eagle Flies, and both Charles and Arthur are appalled when Dutch exploits the Native Americans for his own benefit. Charles' humble and kind nature ultimately guides Arthur towards the truth and keeps him grounded.

3 Micah

The Gang was known for their assistance to those in need, but Micah showed no interest in that. He was willing to harm anyone in order to achieve his own desires. As Micah grew closer to Dutch and gained influence in the gang's decision-making, he made efforts to convince everyone that John was collaborating with the Pinkertons. Although Arthur never believed this, he became increasingly frustrated by Micah's unfounded accusations.

When it was finally revealed that Micah was the traitor, Arthur exclaimed, "it all makes sense now," and held him responsible for the gang's current predicament. Micah's cold demeanor caused numerous deaths and tragedies, which drove Arthur to summon all his strength and energy to confront him in a final battle.

2 Dutch

Dutch's extreme actions and disregard for his gang members ultimately opened Arthur's eyes to his true nature. Arthur realizes that he either never truly saw Dutch for who he was, or that Dutch had drastically changed throughout their journey, as evidenced by him abandoning Arthur to die in the factory.

Despite pleading with Dutch to defy Micah's demand of leaving Abigail behind in their last mission and being ignored, Arthur summons all of his remaining strength to ensure the safety of Abigail and other gang members. He confronts Dutch once and for all. Dutch's betrayal profoundly alters Arthur's perspective on his own life, as well as his past actions. This newfound understanding motivates Arthur to help as many people as he can in the time he has left.

1 John

John and Arthur share a complex yet brotherly bond. Both of them were raised within the gang, making Dutch their father figure, resulting in a deep loyalty towards him. However, as the prospect of a positive outcome becomes bleak, Arthur realizes his utmost desire to ensure John and his family's safe escape from danger before his own inevitable death. Arthur truly views John as his younger sibling, and therefore, as the gang disintegrates and Arthur's Tuberculosis diagnosis sets in, his connection with John becomes the driving force behind his determination to assist their escape, even if it entails sacrificing his own life.

Red Dead Redemption 2is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.