Red Dead Redemption has never exactly been known for flawless heroes. Part of what makes the overarching story of the Red Dead Redemption games so special is that no matter what philosophy or lofty ideals each protagonist strives towards, ultimately their past catches up to them. But the same can be said of the villains of the game as well, emphasized by Jack Marston at the end of Red Dead Redemption.
Jack Marston represented a future free of the violence and corruption from Dutch's gang. Whether it was by Arthur or his father John, Jack was often sheltered away from their true life of outlaws. Like Arthur and John had wished for him, Jack's life did eventually resemble a break in the cycle of violence Dutch's gang had perpetuated for so long. It was not a clean break by any means, but the ending of Red Dead Redemption represents a triumph over the violence that consumed the life of Jack's family. Unfortunately by doing so, that meant Jack resulted to that same savagery that corrupted his childhood in the first place.
Jack Marston: Maturing Amongst Criminals
Growing up amongst Dutch's gang, Jack Marston had quite the tough and unusual upbringing. Jack was surrounded by outlaws who always treated him with respect and ironically taught him right from wrong. It's arguable that most of Dutch van der Linde's gang members didn't want Jack to grow up like the rest of them, especially Arthur Morgan. The protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2, in many ways, acted like a father to Jack when John couldn't or was being an irresponsible father. Arthur brought him out fishing, for example, and humanized him in ways John didn't because of his irresponsibility.
Even when Jack was kidnapped by Angelo Bronte, and John stepped up to assist in the rescue, he was primarily fueled by anger and revenge. He would've quickly murdered Angelo, the entire Braithwaite family, and more, or died trying. He was dedicated, even after countless times showing virtually no interest in being a proper father to the boy before. Over time, Arthur helped John Marston mature into a much more responsible man to his wife and kid. The two grew much closer as they became disillusioned by Dutch's slow progression into madness and reckless abandon. Once John witnessed Arthur's ultimate sacrifice, John knew he had to do better not only for Arthur's sake, but for the well-being of his entire family as well.
John and Jack Marston: Escaping the Violence
As Dutch's gang fell apart and Jack grew older, Jack understood the tidbits of his father's former life. Jack never truly knew John Marston as the criminal so much as he knew John's history was full of danger. While the Marstons lived their migrant life in search of honest living, John did his best to encourage Jack's education and did his best to teach him right from wrong, but it wasn't a simple thing. Even after he built the ranch at Beecher's Hope, John couldn't escape the life of an outlaw, no matter how many times John tried to ran away from it.
Of course Jack at least showed he was oblivious to everything or didn't bother asking, but Jack knew John's former life was one of danger and despair. When the Pinkertons forced John to hunt down the rest of Dutch's gang, he had to abandon his family again because of his former life. Then that outlaw lifestyle inevitably killed John, and Jack was forced to witness that curse rip away his father. It's what eventually drives Jack towards violence himself, even though players never witness Jack's turn to the outlaw life himself. Only this time, Jack murders Edgar Ross, the Pinkerton who killed his father. Jack breaks the cycle of violence that's tormented the Marston family with a taste of his own.
Red Dead Redemption: The Curse of the Outlaw
Upon reaching the true end of Red Dead Redemption, Jack is left victorious after finally avenging his father. After that, his future and to some extent his past are completely uncertain. The game at the very least infers that once John Marston died, Jack Marston vowed to get revenge on his father's death. Several years pass, and an adult Jack Marston stands over his mother and father's graves. From there, the last few missions of the game involve Jack tracking down Edgar Ross. It's very possible Abigail was what grounded him, keeping him from seeking revenge as his last family member alive. Once she passed a few years later, Jack was let loose to exact revenge on his father's killer.
Jack's journey from mother's protector to father's avenger could be the subject of another Red Dead Redemption story. Assuming a sequel or Red Dead Redemption 3 was developed, Jack would likely be the main focus. It's unclear what happened after his father's death; whether he turned to a life of crime just like his father lived, or he simply lived out his days waiting for the day he could avenge John. It would make poetic sense for Jack to become an outlaw, perpetuating the same cycle of violence John and the rest of Dutch's gang started years ago. Emphasizing the curse of the outlaw over time, similar to Arthur's affliction in Red Dead Redemption 2, has been Red Dead Redemption's story since the beginning.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.