Did Micah Bell Contract Tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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The short and direct answer is: No, Micah Bell did not contract tuberculosis (TB) in Red Dead Redemption 2. Despite his close proximity to Arthur Morgan, who suffers from a severe case of the disease, Micah remains unaffected. This is a crucial point in understanding the dynamics of the game’s narrative and the characters’ fates. While Arthur’s struggle with TB is central to his character arc and eventual demise, Micah’s health remains untouched, allowing him to continue his antagonistic role to the very end. This stark contrast highlights the game’s deliberate use of illness as a narrative tool.
The Absence of TB in Micah Bell
Micah’s immunity to TB, in the context of the game, serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it highlights his robust, almost inhuman, nature. He’s portrayed as a survivor who pushes through conflicts seemingly untouched, adding to his villainous aura. Secondly, it draws a sharp distinction between him and Arthur. Arthur’s decline due to tuberculosis is a stark reminder of mortality and the consequences of their outlaw lifestyle. Meanwhile, Micah’s physical strength and unyielding nature further emphasize his ruthless character.
Furthermore, the absence of TB in Micah allows the developers to maintain his role as a physical threat to Arthur right until their final confrontation. If Micah were also weakened by the disease, the final battle, already weighted with Arthur’s illness, would have been less compelling. This would also have taken away some of the drama surrounding Micah’s final end at the hands of Dutch and John.
Thematic Significance of Arthur’s Illness
The stark contrast between Arthur’s failing health and Micah’s continued vigor isn’t accidental. It serves as a symbolic representation of morality and the human condition within the game. Arthur’s TB represents his physical and moral decay as well as his redemption. As he wrestles with his past choices and strives to do right, his body fails him. In contrast, Micah’s vitality reflects his lack of conscience and his dedication to self-preservation at any cost. He’s portrayed as a force of nature, unaffected by the same ailments and moral quandaries that plague Arthur.
Immunity: Not Just Luck
While it’s tempting to consider Micah’s lack of TB as simply fortunate, it’s more than just luck. The narrative intentionally highlights how tuberculosis is presented as a disease that weakens and slows down a person, making them vulnerable. Micah, however, remains consistently vigorous and actively harmful. His actions, driven by treachery and self-interest, are enabled by his physical strength and immunity to the disease, further solidifying his role as a purely villainous character.
Frequently Asked Questions About Micah Bell and Tuberculosis
Here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify the role of tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2, especially in relation to Micah Bell:
1. Could Arthur have killed Micah without TB?
Yes, it’s highly likely that a healthy Arthur would have been able to defeat Micah. Arthur’s strength and skill, combined with his weakened state due to TB, made him an easier target for Micah. A healthy Arthur would have had a significant advantage in any confrontation.
2. Did TB or Micah kill Arthur?
Both factors played a crucial role. Tuberculosis weakened Arthur, making him vulnerable, while Micah administered the final beating that accelerated his demise. Micah also facilitated the circumstances that led to Arthur’s illness as well as the downfall of the gang.
3. Who got tuberculosis in RDR2?
The only main character in the game who contracts tuberculosis is Arthur Morgan, the protagonist. His illness is integral to the story.
4. Why didn’t Dutch kill Micah?
Dutch initially sided with Micah due to his manipulation and the fact that Micah had at one time saved his life. Despite his doubts, Dutch’s growing paranoia and loss of sanity led him to trust Micah over the loyal members of his gang until the final act. It was only later that Dutch realized the truth, and ultimately participated in Micah’s demise.
5. Why did Dutch like Micah so much?
Dutch’s seemingly illogical trust in Micah likely stemmed from a perceived debt after Micah saved him once. This incident was enough to create an irrational bond, which, combined with Micah’s manipulations, led Dutch to favor him over the more loyal gang members.
6. Why does Arthur hate Micah?
Arthur’s hatred for Micah stems from his treachery and ultimate betrayal of the gang. Discovering that Micah had been informing on them to the Pinkertons solidified Arthur’s dislike and caused him to see Micah as the villain he was.
7. Can Arthur avoid getting tuberculosis?
No, Arthur cannot avoid contracting tuberculosis. It’s a fixed element of the game’s plot and cannot be circumvented through gameplay choices.
8. Who killed Dutch Van der Linde?
Dutch does not die in Red Dead Redemption 2. He is shown to be alive in the epilogue. He is later implied to have committed suicide in 1911 by backing off a cliff, during the events of the first Red Dead Redemption game.
9. Did Dutch know Micah was a rat?
Dutch was aware that Micah could be a rat but chose to believe otherwise due to his own unstable state. This choice led him to test Arthur’s loyalty instead, further contributing to the gang’s downfall.
10. Would a healthy Arthur beat Micah?
Yes, a healthy Arthur would almost certainly have been able to overpower Micah. His strength and skill, unencumbered by the effects of TB, would have made him a formidable adversary.
11. Why did Dutch betray Arthur?
Dutch’s betrayal of Arthur is largely due to Micah’s manipulation and Arthur’s lack of blind faith in Dutch’s plans. He perceives Arthur’s doubts as disloyalty, pushing him further into Micah’s corner.
12. Was Arthur mentioned in RDR1?
Arthur is never mentioned in Red Dead Redemption 1. This is likely to preserve John Marston’s narrative and the emotional weight associated with his story. In-game it can be inferred this is due to John’s desire to move on from the past.
13. Would Arthur have died from tuberculosis?
Yes, regardless of the player’s choices, Arthur always dies from tuberculosis at the end of Red Dead Redemption 2. It is a crucial part of the game’s story arc.
14. Was tuberculosis a death sentence in 1899?
Yes, tuberculosis was often a death sentence in 1899, when the game is set. There was no cure for the disease and it was a leading cause of death worldwide at the time.
15. Does John know Micah killed Arthur?
It’s made clear that John knows Micah was a rat, however, it’s never explicitly said whether John knows the extent of Micah’s abuse and violence towards Arthur. His understanding of Micah’s treachery is known, although the direct and specific details are not.
Conclusion
Micah Bell’s immunity to tuberculosis is a deliberate design choice that reinforces his role as a remorseless villain and starkly contrasts Arthur Morgan’s tragic fate. Understanding the absence of TB in Micah further highlights the game’s themes of morality, sacrifice, and the consequences of one’s choices. While Arthur’s illness is a major part of his journey and inevitable death, Micah’s health remains untouched, further solidifying his role as a villain until his final confrontation.