Red Dead Redemption 2 is an incredibly deep story with several prominent themes and elements to it. One of these is the idea of fatherhood: Dutch and Hosea are essentially fathers to the entire gang, Arthur Morgan operates like a father to John Marston, and of course, John Marston actually has a child, Jack. The importance of these relationships are self-evident throughout Red Dead Redemption 2, but it brings to mind a particular saying: “The sins of the father are visited upon the son.”
In short, it means that the children are the ones to suffer. Indeed, this can be seen in the various relationships found in-game. Hosea’s death sends Dutch on a downward spiral, even though he was erratic to begin with. Dutch’s failure to recognize Micah Bell for the snake he was leads to Arthur Morgan’s death, one way or another. And Arthur Morgan’s life, lessons, and death shape Marston in various ways, including his desire for revenge against Micah—despite settling into a normal life.
This is something that his wife, Abigail, can see pretty clearly in Red Dead Redemption 2. She worries about how the gang, the sins of Jack’s fathers, could impact him down the road and try to take him away. It’s John changing that brings her and Jack back, but she still warns him about the dangers of his old life.
Abigail’s Warnings Bridge Red Dead Redemption 1 and Red Dead Redemption 2
Indeed, despite John settling into a decent home and family life, he jumps at the chance to go after Micah Bell. Arthur Morgan’s influence runs so deep that it’s impossible for him to avoid, and it’s something John Marston will one day pay the price for. Players know what happens, but it’s potent when Abigail, before this, tells him that his actions will get them all killed—that’s exactly what happens.
Micah Bell’s death and John’s pursuit thereof are what alert Edgar Ross to John’s location, and thus the circular nature of the outlaw way of life comes into effect. John pursued Micah Bell to avenge Arthur, supposedly making this his last action. But it’s not. Returning to his life of crime, even for a short time period, is what has John eventually hunt down other gang members at the behest of Ross (but Ross is definitely not innocent). Abigail and Jack are the ones to pay for this when John is killed in The Last Enemy to Be Destroyed; they pay for his sins.
This leads Jack to eventually kill Edgar Ross in Red Dead Redemption, and for that, someday, Jack and his potential children will pay the price. Though no one knows what happens after this encounter, it’s not a good ending for Jack Marston as long as he is trapped in this cycle.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
