It’s hard to deny just how large a role Dutch Van Der Linde plays in the first Red Dead Redemption. But the character plays an even bigger part in Red Dead Redemption 2, getting his own arc that is filled with ups and downs. Naturally, because of his increased screen time, you learn a lot more about the charismatic gang leader.
Some bits of information are openly displayed in cutscenes, whereas others are more subtle. For instance, you can learn plenty of little details about the character just by keeping your ears and eyes open, even while just walking around your camp. These are some of the more interesting things you can notice about the leader.
Updated June 8, 2023 By Ben Jessey: Red Dead Redemption 2 remains one of the most detailed video games of all time. Every aspect of that game was meticulously put together. As such, all the main characters have so many details that even big fans of the game never notice.
This is why we created this list of details about the controversial Dutch. And even now, when the game's been out for several years, we are still finding little things out about the man. And in this update, we've added those things to the list.
13 His Dad Died In The Civil War
Dutch doesn't talk about his family or past that often. Yet, there are a few nuggets of information that sneak through when the man is talking. One example is a comment he makes about his father. He claims that his father died in the Civil War while fighting for the Northern side.
More specifically, he says that it occurred in a field within Pennsylvania. This likely means that Dutch's dad perished in the Battle Of Gettysburg. As such, Dutch would've been under ten years old when he lost his father.
12 He Has A Personalized Sheath For His Knife
The Van Der Linde Gang live lives that necessitate carrying powerful weapons pretty much all the time. Typically, they have handguns, but they also each carry a knife for both close-range encounters and hunting.
If you take a close look at the sheath where Dutch keeps his blade, you will notice it isn't just one you can buy from the store. He has had the thing personally made. It's even embroidered with his initials. So, nobody else in the gang can possibly mistake it for theirs.
11 Not All Of His Speeches Are Off The Cuff
Throughout the game, Dutch delivers many fantastic speeches, typically in an effort to motivate or convince members of his gang. It usually works, as they're always rousing speeches. And it seems like he's coming up with powerful words on the spot.
However, a note hidden among the trees near the Horseshoe Overlook camp proves that he plans some of them out. This is because the note contains a speech that he delivers a little later in the game. It isn't exactly the same, as he does ad-lib a bit, but the note has the same general structure and key points.
10 Dutch Loves The Work Of Evelyn Miller
While at camp, you may notice that Dutch spends plenty of time reading books. His favorite author is seemingly Evelyn Miller. Dutch talks about the writer and his work on several occasions. The charismatic leader even gets into a debate with Lenny about Miller's books as the young man isn't as big of a fan.
Dutch seems to agree with the author's view of the world. Interestingly, though, when you meet Evelyn Miller later in the game, he has a completely different personality to the outlaw. Perhaps Mr. Van Der Linde misunderstood some of the writer's teachings.
9 He Shares A Close Bond With His Horse
Many members of the Van Der Linde gang have their own specific horse. Dutch rides a beautiful white steed named The Count. Early in the game, Arthur talks to Charles about the strong bond between Dutch and The Count.
Arthur reveals that he tried to mount the horse once but was immediately bucked off. Apparently, the creature will only allow Dutch to ride him. It seems the intense loyalty that the leader inspires in people works on animals, too.
8 The GTA 4 Connection
During chapter three of the second game’s story, Dutch introduces himself as “Aiden O’Malley,” a pseudonym he makes up on the fly primarily to hide his identity. Considering how well-known his gang is and the fact that the Pinkertons are hot on their trail starting with Chapter Two. An alias is only natural.
Interestingly, Aiden O’Malley is also the name of one of Niko Bellic’s supporting players in Grand Theft Auto 4. This isn’t the first time Rockstar’s two equally great franchises have referenced each other, either. GTA 5 features a book titled “Red Dead” written by a certain “J. Marston.” Perhaps Jack wound up a writer after all.
7 You Can Find Dutch’s Mother’s Grave In Blackwater
Dutch is not a particularly familial person, in spite of the show he puts on for his gang mates. While he does preach about family, and it is implied he does genuinely see themselves as a family, he rarely, if ever, divulges any personal information. He mentions his father, but seldom his mother.
Should you return to Blackwater during the course of the game, feel free to visit the Blackwater Cemetery. You can even read the tombstones. Should you desire to do so, you’ll find the grave of a Mrs. van der Linde. Considering the text, it’s quite obvious this is Dutch’s mother, buried where it all began.
6 “Favored Sons” Parallels With “And The Truth Will Set You Free”
Arguably Red Dead Redemption 2’s greatest strength as a sequel is its ability to comment on the cyclical nature of it's narrative. Any follow-up will sooner or later become derivative of its source material should it play things too close. RDR2 is very similar, but it is aware of said similarities and uses them as a strength.
This is most clearly seen in “Favored Son,” a mission that parallels “And the Truth will Set You Free” from the first game. Both missions feature Dutch making a speech about his inability to “fight nature.” Where the former sees him using it as a boast, the latter shows sincerity — a genuine belief that he cannot live amongst the natural world any longer.
5 What Really Happened At Blackwater
Although the game never gets into what exactly happened in Blackwater - mostly because neither John nor Arthur were actually present for the ordeal - you can piece together the main beats thanks to a mix of Arthur’s journal and Dutch’s true nature. It isn’t a particularly flattering picture.
Arthur mentions that Dutch shot a woman in Blackwater. This was likely Dutch’s attempt to create some distance between the gang and the Pinkertons. From there, several gang members slowed themselves down and, instead of helping them, Dutch left them behind so that he could escape.
4 Dutch Never Donates His Own Money To The Camp
As the leader of the gang, it has to be brought into question: should Dutch donate as well? It is genuinely worth discussing as even Hosea’s name can be seen in the ledger, and often at that. Dutch’s name seldom, if ever, actually appears. This is to say nothing of what the gang’s main funds go to.
One of the first upgrades players end up getting will likely be Dutch’s personal camp. That in itself speaks volumes to Dutch’s true nature. None of his money goes towards the upgraded tent, but he gets it nonetheless. Granted, it actually does inspire others to donate, but they’re already more or less ingrained in a cult by that point.
3 Dutch’s Ego Is On View As Early As Chapter One
While it isn’t until chapter four that Dutch really starts to lose his mind from a narrative perspective, you can see his ego upfront and center from as early as the first Chapter. Even the first mission is quite frankly enough to telegraph that Dutch’s gang is run entirely by his ego.
Think about it, who do you really get a sense for in that first mission? Dutch. Why? Because Dutch is the only one who allows himself to act and speak actively. He is the literal face and name of the gang so he represents it. His speech is one driven exclusively by ego, rallying his men under HIS name.
2 Dutch Teaches His Followers How To Read
One of Dutch’s most endearing qualities is just how much he seems to care about education. Mind you, this is not education in a privatized sense, but a communal education where everyone works together to better their intelligence. As a lover of literature, Dutch passes on his skills onto his followers.
Both John and Arthur mention how Dutch taught them how to read. Considering how well the latter writers, Dutch taught Arthur quite a bit of technical skill as well. Strangely (but perhaps not so strangely) Dutch doesn’t teach his female followers how to read. For instance, despite being an intimate member of the gang, he never taught Abigail.
1 Dutch Preys On The Weak
It’s kind of sweet that Dutch took a young Arthur in, isn’t it? With nowhere to go, a 15-year-old Arthur found a home in Dutch van der Linde. Dutch also acted as a paternal figure to Jack in John’s absence, molding his worldview as he could. That’s the same case with Lenny too, actually. And Eagle Flies. And Charles. And Sadie.
Recognizing the pattern? Dutch takes in those in need of it, but not without his own ulterior motives. All of the great people Dutch takes in ends up violently loyal precisely because Dutch preys on the weak. Dutch knows these people will “owe” him. He basically dominated Arthur’s life for two decades because of this.