Dutch Van der Linde’s descent into insanity, nihilism, and sadism is one of the most curious aspects ofRed Dead Redemption 2,and it’s always been a highly debated topic of what exactly caused Dutch to become the way that he is by the end of the game. Yet, what could have possibly caused Dutch’s descent inRed Dead Redemption 2?
With so many failures, injuries, and worries that plague Dutch throughout his ride through a tamed West, it’s time to reflect on the causes that made Dutch Van der Linde so evilby the end of the gameto delve deep into his psyche and issues.
Spoilers ahead for Red Dead Redemption & Red Dead Redemption 2!
6Allowing People to See His True Nature at the Blackwater Job
Dutch’s Unjust Murder of an Innocent Woman Shows He’s Always Been Dark
The first hint that Dutch might not be the man he says he is after the botched ferry job in Blackwater, the catalyst that caused this heap oftrouble for the gangin the first place. While on the ferry job in Blackwater, Dutch shot an innocent woman named Heidi McCourt in the head, a brutal and unjust death.
Dutch’s brutal murder of Heidi is just the beginning of his descent, but it’s the perfect catalyst for Dutch revealing his true nature as a killer, not this Robin Hood-type anti-hero that he perceives himself as – but a selfish murderer who will do anything to survive.
5A Potential Concussion from the Trolley Crash
Dutch’s Injury from the Saint Denis Trolley Could Have Caused a Dark Turn
When Angelo Bronte tricks Dutch into robbing a trolley station in Saint Denis, he makes his escape with Arthur and Lenny on a hijacked trolley, only for the said trolley to topple over and cause Dutch to get a pretty nastybang on the head. Such a nasty injury is something that keeps Dutch confused and potentially concussed for quite some time.
Dutch shows hints of his injury being far worse than he lets on, as not only does it make him see triple everything after the injury, but he’s also spaced out, confused, and exhausted, unable to figure out his next move or think straight. Could this injury have knocked some gears around Dutch’s head and twisted him even further?
4Losing Hosea Matthews
The Angel in Dutch’s Ear Could No Longer Provide Wisdom
Hosea Matthews was Dutch’s closest friend. For decades, they would scam and steal their way through the West and even raise sons of their own with Arthur Morgan and John Marston. Dutch and Hosea were as close as could be, and Hosea was always the smarter one who had a more moral and ethical plan, along with a desire tosee everyone in the gang survive.
When Hosea was killed by Agent Milton, the angel on Dutch’s shoulder was killed, leaving Dutch with nothing but bad thoughts and ideas – with no one mature enough to counter his plans or help him see the error of his ways.
3Micah Bell’s Forked Tongue in His Ear
The Devil in Dutch’s Ear Gains Further Control
Whereas Hosea was Dutch’s angel, Micah is Dutch’s devil. The only issue was that when the angel died, Dutch only had a devil to listen to for the remainder of the gang’s time. Dutch was perhaps always a nihilist, but having Micah manipulate him and drag him down to the depths of hatred was something that couldn’t be prevented without Hosea.
Micah was a rat who would do anything to survive, so it’s no surprise that he would say exactly what Dutch wanted to hear, and would use the doubt that others had for Dutch just to get closer to him and provide him witha forked tonguethat Dutch could never grasp as wrong.
2Understanding That He Can’t Fight Nature, Change, Or Gravity
Civilization is Impossible to Stop, and Dutch Realizes That in the Worst Way
If there is one thing Dutch hates most, it’s civilization. The idea of pragmatism and his free Wild West dying out, with outlaws in 1899 nothing but pests to evolving lawful agencies, is something that Dutch really detests. Just look at the way Dutch looks as Saint Denis, he’s appalled, revolted –vicious at the idea of civilization.
When Dutch has been cornered one too many times and sees that society relies on Pinkertons, the U.S. Army, and laws, he sees the light – you can’t fight nature. You can’t fight gravity.You can’t fight nothing. Dutch’s realization that his dream is pointless is what brings him over the edge that he’s fighting for a life that can never exist, so there’s nothing left for him but self-perseverance and a fight to survive.
1The Constant Doubt and Lack of Faith
Dutch’s Gang Puts His Ego Into Question and Further Enrages Him
Dutch hates doubters, and he hates not having a plan. With his charismatic leadership, he views himself as almost perfect, a leader that everyone should follow and practically worship. Dutch loves the idea of his gang following his every move, and his ego won’t allow his flock to question him – because when they do, it enrages him.
All Dutchneeds is moneyand faith, and when that’s lost, he loses the last aspect of himself that tethers him to humanity. Without faith, with constant doubt from those who follow him, Dutch realizes that he has nothing left to lose, along with nothing much to say anymore.
