Summary
- Arthur Morgan's redemption arc culminates in a selfless sacrifice to protect John Marston, showcasing his growth and priorities.
- Emotional moments in Red Dead Redemption 2 highlight Arthur's caring nature, as seen in conversations with Sadie, John, and Mary.
- Arthur's repentance for past actions is evident in his interactions with the Downes family, showcasing his desire for redemption.
In Red Dead Redemption 2, the protagonist, Arthur Morgan, has a complex yet captivating personality. Arthur goes through a full redemption arc as the story progresses, which culminates in him understanding what matters the most to the gang, and laying down his life to protect John Marston.
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Red Dead Redemption 2 is a beautiful game with many emotional moments that succeed at pulling on one’s heartstrings. Some of Arthur’s conversations in the game offer a look at who this character really is under all the cowboy garb.
1 Arthur Requests Sadie To Help John's Family
"You Know, You And Me, We're More Ghosts Than People. But Them..."
- Associated Quest: "Mrs. Sadie Adler, Widow"
In Chapter 6, Sadie Adler requests the ailing Arthur’s help to exact revenge on her husband’s killers. Arthur explains his situation to Sadie while referring to his deteriorating health. But, when Sadie expresses her trust in Arthur, it compels the cowboy to decide whether to assist Sadie.
If players choose to help Sadie, what follows is an emotional conversation between the two gang members. Arthur conditionally tells Sadie that he will only assist her if she, in return, promises to help Jack, Abigail, and John escape after his death. Sadie agrees to Arthur's request. This brief conversation throws light on Arthur’s priorities even in the face of his imminent death.
2 Arthur Asks John To Leave The Gang And Build His Family
"Soon...You Gotta Go. Go...Don't Look Back."
- Associated Quest: "The Bridge to Nowhere"
In the mission "The Bridge to Nowhere," Arthur and John work together to blow up the Bacchus Bridge. During the mission, John expresses his difficulty with understanding Dutch’s overarching plan for the gang. Listening to his worries, Arthur abruptly asks John to leave the gang, build a family, and "don’t look back."
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A surprised and uncertain John questions his loyalty to the gang, to which Arthur states that he’s done a lot of thinking by himself, and considers that John and his family should leave the gang. This heartfelt conversation between Arthur and John shows the former’s caring nature for John and his family, which is the complete opposite of how Arthur initially reacted towards John and his incompetency.
3 Arthur Opens His Heart To Mary Linton
"I've Got Some People I Need To Take Care Of."
- Associated Quest: "Fatherhood and Other Dreams"
The side missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 allow players to explore Arthur’s relationship with his former love interest, Mary Linton. The final Mary Linton side mission has Arthur and Mary enjoying a play at a theater in Saint Denis. When the play concludes, Arthur walks Mary to the tram station. Along the way, Mary asks Arthur if it’s too late for them to explore their relationship again.
A vulnerable Arthur confesses his feelings to Mary but explains that he needs time to sort a few things out before he can elope with her. He further adds that he has people who depend on him and that he’s a wanted man. Arthur’s exchange with Mary shows that his feelings for her never died, even after a long time apart.
4 Arthur Repents His Actions Against The Downes Family
"I Know I Ruined Your Life, I Suffer For It Every Day..."
- Associated Quest: "Do Not Seek Absolution II"
Arthur contracted tuberculosis while beating up a sick Thomas Downes — who eventually died, leaving his wife and son to fend for themselves. Towards the late game, Edith Downes, Thomas’ widow, moves to Annesburg with her son, Archie. Edith Downes is compelled into prostitution and Archie works in the mines.
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When Arthur accidentally comes across Edith Downes in Annesberg, he offers to help the mother and son. First, he saves Archie from the bullies at the mines, and then offers money to the Downes family, asking them to move to a better place and start a new life. Arthur doesn’t seek forgiveness from Edith but deeply repents the situation the mother-son duo landed in because of his indifference.
5 Arthur Teaches Jack How To Fish
"You're A Brave Kid."
- Associated Quest: "A Fisher of Men"
Soon after the gang reaches Valentine and sets up a camp at Horseshoe Overlook, Arthur gets the opportunity to teach fishing to Jack. While riding to the nearby shore, Arthur praises Jack for having recovered from his illness and calls him a brave kid. Once arriving at the shore, the cowboy teaches the young kid the basics of fishing before being ambushed by Milton and Ross.
Arthur remains calm and maintains his character in front of Jack, prioritizing his safety over everything. This moment showcases Arthur in a different light, separate from the violent outlaw that he normally is.
6 Arthur & Lenny Go Out For Drinks
"Lenny! Lenny!! Lenneyyyyy!!!"
- Associated Quest: "A Quiet Time"
Lenny Summers is a young adult within the Van Der Linde gang, and Arthur has a soft spot for the boy. Arthur admires many things about Lenny and wants to see him succeed in life. In Chapter 2, when the gang reaches Valentine, Susan asks Lenny and Micah to scout the surrounding area. However, Micah ends up murdering two O’Driscolls and lands himself behind bars. Lenny, who managed to escape the scene, arrives at the camp all frightened.
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Seeing Lenny all anxious, Dutch asks Arthur to accompany Lenny to the nearby saloon in Valentine. At the saloon, Arthur and Lenny get intoxicated with drinks, and what players get to witness is a completely different Arthur – cracking jokes, dancing along, and being incredibly drunk! This event allows players to build an attachment to Arthur through his endearing antics.
7 Arthur Brings Up His Fear Of Death
"I Guess...I Guess I'm Afraid..."
- Associated Quest: "The Fine Art of Conversation"
Towards the end of the game, Arthur meets Sister Calderón one last time at a train station. By now, Arthur’s health has already deteriorated considerably, which Sister Calderón notices. Arthur describes the events that led him to contract the disease and expresses to the Sister that he’s afraid of death.
In response, Sister Calderón assures Arthur that there isn’t anything to be afraid of and asks him to take a gamble in life by performing a loving act. It is after this point that Arthur views the pain and suffering of others from a compassionate perspective, which results in him dropping loan sharking, helping the needy, and standing against injustice.
8 Arthur Sacrifices Himself To Save John
"I've Pushed All I Can..."
- Associated Quest: "Red Dead Redemption"
While Arthur and John run up the hill and away from the Pinkertons, the former runs out of breath and asks John to carry on ahead. Arthur tells John that he has pushed all he can and takes the responsibility to hold off the Pinkertons while John escapes. Hearing this, John feels uncomfortable leaving Arthur by himself. Passing on his hat to John, Arthur states that it would mean a lot to him if John made it out alive.
Arthur, then, ends up fighting Micah and succumbs to his injuries. Arthur’s final moments make the player see the good in him and the character redemption he has undergone throughout the story, bringing tears to one’s eyes.
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
