Key Takeaways
- Dutch’s powerful speeches in Red Dead Redemption 2 cement him as a memorable character, showcasing his wavering sanity and the reasons behind the fall of the Van der Linde gang.
- Dutch’s influential words inspire and manipulate those around him, often blurring the line between loyalty and betrayal.
- Dutch’s stubbornness and romanticism of the Wild West lead to the downfall of his plans and the deaths of his followers, ultimately showing his broken state of mind.
Dutch van der Linde is a man of many words, and his powerful speeches in Red Dead Redemption 2 certainly cement him as a memorable character. When audiences first met Dutch in Red Dead Redemption, many were captivated by his wavering cusp of sanity, and Red Dead Redemption 2 does a great job of explaining just what happened to the leader of the Van der Linde gang.
With a bounty of importance in Red Dead Redemption 2, Dutch van der Linde has many memorable lines, with only some remaining entirely captivating, and some of his most powerful work. Whether it’s a quote on philosophy, rage, or just something in passing, Dutch van der Linde is as quick with his tongue as he is with a revolver.
Updated on August 30, 2024, by Jake Fillery: Dutch Van der Linde is one of the more complex, cunning, and tragic villains of Red Dead Redemption. Whilst his origins may be as shepherd, mentor, and father to Arthur Morgan and John Marston, he soon reveals his true colors when things no longer go his way. Whether it’s in boastful confidence or as a petty rival, Dutch Van der Linde has spoken some of the most iconic quotes in the Red Dead Redemption series that remain hauntingly memorable.
18
“He Insists Upon It. Insists…”
Dutch’s Final Straw Is Broken When Arthur Asserts A Reasonable Request
Dutch certainly doesn’t like his authority being questioned, and with no anchor to tether his ego, he sees Arthur’s attempt at aid as a very assault on his leadership, and thus the loyalty of his son is no more. Dutch uses the line “insists” multiple times after Arthur, showing his disdain for the word.
It’s hard not to fear Dutch as he repeats the word to himself out of petty and undeserved hate, when all Arthur wanted was to save the gang. it shows a stark moment when Dutch fully turned his back on Arthur and saw him as a pawn and not a crucial player.
17
“Don’t You Never Leave Love Aside, Arthur… That’s All We Got.”
Love And Loyalty Come Above Power And Greed
Dutch likes to view himself as a man of literature, and an astute poet that doesn’t just indulge in murder and robbery. As such, it’s no surprise that he views love above all else, and tells Arthur that it’s important to keep love front and center, for it’s all there is in this harsh world.
Dutch used to have some truly sound advice and a few moments of genuine affection. Sadly, it seems the more Dutch fails, the more he scorches the world and those around him, and it would benefit him to follow his own tragic advice.
16
“When I’m Gone, They’ll Just Find Another Monster. They Have Too.”
Dutch Imparts His Final Words Of Wisdom On John Marston
Whilst this quote may be taken from the original Red Dead Redemption, it’s certainly too hard to ignore. Dutch tells John once he’s at the end of his road that even with Dutch gone and the leader of the Van der Linde gang dead and buried, Agent Ross and other law enforcement officials will just find someone else to hunt down, and that the job is never done.
Dutch has an astute understanding of the way of the new world and sees that the law officials will need to justify their wages by ensuring no man with a checkered past goes free. Dutch’s final words are a warning to John Marston that he’s next, and he was right.
15
“They’re Chasing Us Hard Because We Represent Everything That They Fear.”
Dutch Justifies The Lifestyle Of An Outlaw By Saying The Law Fears Freedom
The Pinkertons continue to track and hunt the Van der Linde gang, and as such, Dutch is left to be their guiding shepherd and quell their fears. To do so, he justifies the lifestyle that they all live by saying that the Pinkertons are only chasing them so hard because they are fearful of their potential, trying to arouse morale in the camp.
Dutch truly believes that the outlaw lifestyle of killing and robbing is permitted because it’s the wild west, and he refuses to enter into a new world with law and order. It shows his warped sense of changing times, and how he will drag anyone down with him thanks to a silver tongue.
14
“I Was Trying To Do My Best. You… You Just Cared For Yourself.”
The Years Make Dutch Bitter To John, Who Got Out Of This Life
There is much power in the toxicity and resentment that Dutch has been harboring for his youngest son, John Marston. This quote showcases how bitter Dutch has become, and how he despises what John has become, independent of him, free of his words, and able to move on to a life that nurtures a tamed West.
Instead of being proud of John for escaping the harshness of that life, and escaping with his family, he is instead resentful of him and describes him as selfish. Dutch’s powerful words divulge gaslighting words and bitterness to try and place those who are supposed to love him, beneath him.
13
“There Simply Isn’t A Reality In Which We Do Nothing And Get Everything.”
Another Failed Speech From A Failing Leader
As things continue to go South for Dutch, he attempts to rouse another powerful speech, but one where the only memorable power comes from the closing lines, where he claims that he and his gang can’t just do nothing if they are to have everything. Yet, why is there a need for everything? It begs the question that most fear asking their leader, when is enough, enough?
The West is not what it once was, and lawlessness does not go unpunished in this new world, yet Dutch continues to defy it, and continues to put those who cherish him in harm’s way in an attempted claim at something better. The fact that Dutch has no singular desire, nothing tangible, just the request for everything, proves that his time as a leader is coming to an end.
12
“You Kill. I Kill. You Rob. I Rob. The Only Difference I Can See Is I Choose Whom I Kill And Rob, And You Destroy Everything In Your Path.”
Dutch Justifies His Lack Of Morals By Blaming Leviticus Cornwall
Dutch seems to be addicted to his own powerful words, and he cannot help but risk life yet again just to have the final say to an enemy that doesn’t even know him. Dutch has painted every problem, every desire, every murder, on Leviticus Cornwall, and it’s within his words here that he doesn’t even see how he is blaming another man for his own sins.
For Dutch, his actions as a murderer and a thief are justified, because more powerful and wealthy men than him are able to pave a way forward through other hands. Dutch clearly does not see the hypocrisy, and simply his own powerful words that cause more damage than good.
11
“‘Real.’ Oh, How I Detest That Word. So Devoid Of Imagination.”
Dutch Has Yet Another Disagreement With John
Dutch proves yet again that he wishes to live in a fantasy, to be ignorant of a real, ever-changing world. To exist in the real world is supposedly having no imagination, according to Dutch that is. It once again proves just how deep his words go, and how rooted in manipulation his speeches can become.
It’s extremely concerning to see Dutch’s words turn so sour, especially on those whom he deems his children, all over a mere request to just face the facts, and look at reality for what it is, and not the fiction that Dutch clearly wants it to be.
10
“You’ll Betray Me In The End, Arthur, You Seem The Type.”
Seeds Of Doubt Plague Dutch’s Mind About His Most Loyal Son
Dutch and Arthur start the events of Red Dead Redemption 2 with a strong history. It’s clear that the two look out for each other, and they’re as close as father and son. Yet, thanks to Micah and the constant failings of his plans, Dutch becomes bitter, and seeds of doubt grow within his mind about his most loyal son. Dutch doesn’t waste his breath nor skip around his feelings when he tells Arthur his true feelings.
Dutch believes that Arthur will betray him. What spurred this is anyone’s guess. Could it be the venomous words of Micah Bell, the concussion in Saint Denis, or simply the breaking point of a man full of anxiety about the fact that the world he knew is being brushed away as a forgotten memory? Dutch’s fall is a tragic tale, but an interesting one, especially when his words exhibit such power and strength to those who speak to, and with him.
9
“Stay Strong. Stay With Me.”
Dutch Speaks To The Gang After The Failed Blackwater Heist
The introduction to the cast of characters in Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place amid a harsh blizzard, where the Van der Linde gang has just had to flee Blackwater after a heist gone wrong. Although players are unfamiliar with the characters and their personalities, Dutch makes a strong first impression with his speech.
This speech, in which Dutch confidently shouts “Stay Strong. Stay with me.”, shows to the audience who the leader of this gang is, and just why they would follow him through thick and thin. It’s a powerful speech that aspires to the gang, even after their most recent tragedies.
8
“You Can’t Fight Gravity”
Dutch Speaks To The U.S. Army, Before Jumping Into A River
Once again, Dutch’s captivating words take hold of people, and Dutch compares change to gravity, and how nature cannot be fought. It’s a poetic line in a game that isn’t just impressive graphics. It’s an insight into Dutch’s changing outlook on life, and one that becomes fatal down the line.
Dutch’s speech here about how “you can’t fight gravity” is purposefully reminiscent of Red Dead Redemption, in which Dutch tells John Marston a similar speech, and commits a similar act of jumping off a cliff.
7
“Who Amongst You Is With Me, And Who Is Betraying Me?”
Spoken To Those Left At The Camp At The Peak Of Its Fall
When Arthur Morgan returns to camp to let everyone know that Micah Bell is a rat, a standoff occurs against the men of the camp. It’s only with Mrs. Grimshaw’s death that Dutch emerges from his tent, booming with a question: “Who amongst you is with me, and who is betraying me?”
Dutch is blinded at this point by a life that is no longer there. In this penultimate scene of Red Dead Redemption 2, the house of cards unfolds, and the Van der Linde gang truly breaks in two, with Dutch’s influential claws dug well too deep into the gang members like Bill and Javier, leaving Arthur Morgan without more allies than he’d like.
6
“I Am Just Trying To Make Sure Some Of Us Survive”
Powerful Words Spoken To The Survivors Of Guarma
Not only are Dutch’s words a powerful way of keeping his gang beneath him, but it is within his brutality that he shows that too. Dutch tells Arthur that “I am just trying to make sure some of us survive”, mere moments after murdering an old and vulnerable lady in Guarma with his bare hands.
Dutch lead a life filled with excuses, and this bloodlust witnessed by Arthur may very well be the beginning of the end. Dutch’s murder count increases, just as Arthur’s doubt grows, and the excuse for survival becomes less believable.
5
“I Will Keep Trying, And You’ll Keep Doubting Me, And We’ll Keep Failing”
Doubt Plagues Dutch’s Mind As He Talks To Arthur Morgan
Manipulation through his words is something Dutch van der Linde seems to be naturally talented at. Dutch uses people, whether it’s those that are devoted to him or those that see him as a friend. Loyalty is a weapon to Dutch, and he turns good men and women into his soldiers.
When Arthur Morgan calls out Dutch for how he is going to use Eagle Flies’ tribe as cannon fodder for the U.S. Army, Dutch simply tries to pin the blame on Arthur, that the whole reason they keep failing is because of Arthur’s doubt.
4
“We Don’t Want To Kill Any Of You”
A Calm Statement To The People Of Saint Denis
Although Dutch’s words may indicate a desire for silver-tongued speeches and peaceful resolutions, Dutch is perhaps more violent than the rest of his gunslinging gang. Dutch introduces himself through the majority of heists, and states calmly that “We don’t want to kill any of you”.
What makes this line even more powerful is not only how Dutch’s words could be perceived as a lie, but the fact that straight after he states “But, trust me, we will.” Dutch is not a man to mess with, and he isn’t against killing innocent people.
3
“I Had A G***** Plan!”
Dutch’s Plans Reach Explosive Emotional Ends
When the leader raises his voice, the soldiers best fall in line. Dutch seems to lose his cool, and his grasp on sanity slips ever further when his gang begins to doubt him. In a moment that seems unexpected to him, Dutch shouts and curses Arthur about how he had a plan, even though the said plan was non-existent.
Dutch fails to realize that his plans always lead to failure because the world is not what it once was. Dutch’s stubbornness and romanticism of the wild west are getting the people that follow him killed, and his failures are catching up to him.
2
“The Game Ain’t Over… I Ain’t Played My Final Move”
The Fall Of Dutch Begins With His Final Move
Arthur and Dutch may have had the relationship one would expect of father and son, but as plans go awry and more people die, Dutch’s confidence falters as does their bond, yet Arthur tries his best to believe him. The fact that Dutch sees these plans as games, and how he has a final move to play, simply adds to the fear of what that very move could be.
The performance by Benjamin Byron Davis makes Dutch’s mental state even more of an eye-opener, as the delivery of this line indicates that not even Dutch is sure if he believes in himself yet. It simply adds to the tragedy of his failing perception of himself as a leader.
1
“I Ain’t Got Too Much To Say No More”
The Epilogue Sees A Broken Dutch
For a man of many words, Dutch is perhaps at his most powerful when he has nothing to say at all. The final confrontation of John Marston, Sadie Adler, and Micah Bell is interrupted by Dutch van der Linde, who had been missing for years. Dutch joins the standoff, spelling more trouble for everyone involved.
John Marston pleads with Dutch, about the past, about how everyone did their best to please him like he was their father. Dutch, a broken man with no family left, simply states “I ain’t got much to say no more.”, a powerful line that shows how Dutch was never the same after Blackwater.