Did Micah Bell Catch Tuberculosis from Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2?
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No, there is no evidence within the narrative of Red Dead Redemption 2 to suggest that Micah Bell contracted tuberculosis (TB) from Arthur Morgan. While Arthur’s TB diagnosis is a pivotal plot point, and his final confrontation with Micah is a brutal, bloody affair, the game mechanics and established lore do not support the idea of Micah contracting the disease. The article extract explicitly states that “While Micah Bell might be irredeemable, in both the eyes of the protagonists as well as the players, he is at least safe from contracting TB from Arthur’s blood.” This fact, combined with the disease’s method of transmission as understood in the game’s world, renders such a transmission highly improbable. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons why.
Why Micah Was Unlikely To Get TB
The passage highlights that, within the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, tuberculosis is contracted by direct contact with infected bodily fluids. This essentially means either the exchange of saliva or perhaps a sneeze during a close encounter. While Arthur certainly coughs a great deal in his last days, and the fight with Micah is incredibly violent, there’s no explicit scene showing the type of fluid exchange that would lead to a TB transmission.
Several factors mitigate the chances:
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Arthur’s Self-Awareness: Arthur, even in his weakened state, tries to maintain a level of distance and awareness. While the final fight with Micah is close-quarters, he isn’t actively coughing directly into Micah’s face.
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The Nature of the Confrontation: The brawl is focused on physical blows and weapon usage. While blood is shed, it’s not necessarily coming into contact with Micah’s mucous membranes in a way that would easily transmit TB.
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Micah’s Physical Resilience: Micah is portrayed as a remarkably resilient character. Although a bullet to the chest mortally wounded him, his stamina and tolerance for pain is noteworthy throughout the game.
In conclusion, though Arthur was sick and the two engaged in a life or death brawl, there is no explicit evidence from the game’s events that would lead to Micah contracting tuberculosis from Arthur.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions surrounding Arthur, Micah, and the transmission of TB in Red Dead Redemption 2.
1. Could Arthur have beaten Micah if he wasn’t sick?
The prevailing sentiment among players and supported by the provided extract, is yes, Arthur would have defeated Micah had he not been suffering from tuberculosis. Arthur is consistently depicted as one of the physically strongest members of the Van der Linde gang, rivaled only by Charles Smith. The disease severely diminished his strength and stamina, making him vulnerable in the final confrontation.
2. How did no one else in the Van der Linde gang get TB from Arthur?
The article excerpt emphasizes that tuberculosis is contracted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, like saliva or mucus. While Arthur coughed frequently, the fact that he avoided close contact in instances of expectoration or sneezing would lessen the spread. Additionally, not every encounter carries the same risk.
3. Did Dutch know Micah was a rat before Arthur’s death?
The article states, “As Arthur lays dying, pleading with Dutch to see that Micah is a rat, his former mentor begins to piece it all together.” This suggests that Dutch only fully realizes Micah’s betrayal at the very end, spurred by Arthur’s dying words. He may have had suspicions before, but the confirmation comes at the last moment.
4. Why did Dutch take Micah’s side so often?
The article mentions that Micah saved Dutch’s life at some point, creating a debt that Dutch felt compelled to repay. This, coupled with Micah being a newcomer needing integration, contributed to Dutch’s favoritism, or at least tolerance, of Micah’s actions, at least for a period of time.
5. What mental illness did Dutch exhibit in Red Dead Redemption 2?
The excerpt suggests that Dutch exhibited traits consistent with a personality disorder, particularly narcissism. His dramatic behavior, exaggerated self-importance, erratic decision-making, and need for control are hallmark signs of this condition.
6. Why did Dutch betray Arthur and the gang’s established principles?
Dutch’s descent into paranoia and narcissism fueled his betrayal. He prioritized maintaining control and sticking to his “plan,” even as circumstances deteriorated. Micah’s influence likely exacerbated this, as Micah acted as an echo chamber, validating Dutch’s increasingly irrational decisions.
7. Who ultimately killed Micah Bell?
While Dutch shot Micah in the chest, mortally wounding him, it was John Marston who ultimately finished him off. This act served as a form of revenge for Arthur’s death and the gang’s downfall.
8. Did Dutch regret killing Arthur or the events that transpired?
The game leaves this ambiguous. The article states, “It’s never fully stated if Dutch ended up regretting how things ended with his gang, and specifically Arthur.” While he acknowledges his mistakes in the Epilogue by leaving the money for John and Sadie, his internal remorse remains uncertain.
9. Why didn’t Arthur cough on Micah intentionally?
The article indicates that Arthur was self-aware of his condition and likely tried to avoid coughing on anyone, even before his official diagnosis. He was trying to protect those he was allied with. This suggests a sense of responsibility and care for his companions, despite his outlaw lifestyle.
10. Could Arthur have survived tuberculosis with better medical care?
While better medical care might have prolonged his life and eased his symptoms, a cure for tuberculosis simply did not exist in the 1890s, the game’s setting. The article confirms that “Both in RDR2 and in the nonfictional 1890s, the chances of Arthur Morgan overcoming such a severe case of TB would be slim to none.” His fate was tragically sealed.
11. Why did Micah spare Arthur at the end of the game?
Micah’s motivations are complex and debated among players. The article suggests several possibilities, including:
- Self-preservation: Sparing Arthur might have helped him evade the law.
- Anger: He was too consumed by rage to think clearly.
- Remorse (unlikely): A faint possibility that he felt some level of respect or regret.
Ultimately, Micah’s decision remains shrouded in ambiguity, furthering his villainous persona.
12. Did John know Micah killed Arthur?
The information provided in the extract doesn’t explicitly confirm whether John knew Micah directly killed Arthur. While John was aware that Micah betrayed them, the extent of his knowledge regarding the brutal fight is not specified.
13. Will there be a Red Dead Redemption 3?
While not confirmed, the article suggests that a Red Dead Redemption 3 is highly likely at some point in the future, given the franchise’s success and hints from Rockstar Games. However, the release may be several years away.
14. Was Arthur’s death ultimately in vain?
This is a matter of interpretation. The article notes that “Arthur’s sacrifice, the titular “redemption,” is entirely in vain.” However, Arthur’s actions did ensure that John and his family could escape and attempt a new life, even if that life was ultimately fleeting. While John ultimately meets his end, Arthur’s actions buy him time.
15. Why did Javier side with Micah?
Javier’s allegiance to Dutch stemmed from his belief in Dutch’s ideals of freedom and independence. The article also notes that he owes his life to Dutch. Micah’s manipulative influence likely reinforced this loyalty, blinding him to the true nature of Micah’s treachery.
Why Storytelling Matters
The meticulous storytelling in Red Dead Redemption 2 allows for such deep dives into character motivations and plausible scenarios, even if some theories are not explicitly confirmed in the game. This detailed level of story building and immersion adds a new layer to the entire player experience. Players are motivated to dig further and further into the game, and they get to think about the events beyond what they see on the screen.
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