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The whole point of America is freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of deed, freedom of action.
Dutch van der Linde reading a passage from Mr. Miller

Evelyn Miller is a minor character featured in Red Dead Redemption 2. He is the subject of the stranger side-mission "The American Inferno, Burnt Out".

History[]

Background[]

Evelyn Miller is a famous author who is admired by Dutch van der Linde. Previously, he lectured at Princeton University.

Events of Red Dead Redemption 2[]

Saint Denis Chapter[]

Evelyn Miller is first seen at the Mayor's party in Saint Denis, talking with Mayor Henri Lemieux and other guests at Lemieux's party, when one of the guests, Ferdinand, insults him for sympathizing with various ethnic minority groups, to which Arthur subsequently escorts the drunken man away. Upon his return and seeming expression of awe upon realizing who Evelyn Miller is, Evelyn jokes that Arthur may also be a deranged drunk.

Arthur later meets Miller outside the Lemoyne Supreme Court and is introduced to Rains Fall and his son, Eagle Flies. Miller asks Arthur to steal documents from Leviticus Cornwall's refinery in hopes of preventing the tribe from being forced off their reservation.

Pronghorn Ranch Chapter[]

Several years later, Evelyn has resigned from his position at Princeton[1] and separated from his wife, having relocated to Tall Trees. John Marston can meet him atop of a ridge west of the Upper Montana River. He is seen writing a manuscript for a new book, and the two spark conversation, at the end of which Evelyn invites John to visit him at his cabin at Tanner's Reach.

When John goes to Miller's cabin, he takes him to the campsite of a group of poachers who have been hunting animals in the area. Miller antagonizes the group but is then punched in the face. A brawl ensues, and John is forced to dispatch the hunters. Miller then thanks John and returns to his cabin.

As John shows up again, Evelyn has locked himself in his cabin, stating he won't eat, drink or leave until his draft is complete. John can leave food at his cabin door.

The third time John returns, he smells an awful stench. He breaks into the cabin to find the corpse of a deceased Miller. After taking his book, John reads Miller's last request, stating he wants his corpse to be burned rather than buried; he justifies this by saying he wishes to "soar in the air with the eagles", rather than "rot in the ground with the worms". John proceeds to fulfill his request and burns Evelyn's curtains, which, in turn, set the rest of the cabin ablaze.

Character[]

Personality[]

Evelyn, as per his job occupation, is a very poetic person, writing novels that got him and the books famous enough even the infamous gang leader Dutch van der Linde read and took inspiration from them. Evelyn is very progressive by sympathizing with various ethnic minority groups, which is met with scrutinization by most people. He despises those who hunt animals for sport rather than actual necessity and is an active ally of the Wapiti Indians.

Despite all this, however, Evelyn is very critical of himself going to extreme measures to ensure he writes a draft for his book. Evelyn also appears to believe in some form of the afterlife, wishing to "soar in the air with the eagles" rather than "rot in the ground with the worms". A fragment of a Norwegian newspaper suggests that Evelyn is either of some Norwegian nationality or speaks Norwegian.

Appearance[]

Evelyn's appearance in 1899 and 1907 barely differs other than a change in the color of his vest. He wears a typical springtime outfit, with his sleeves rolled up. His hair is brown and he has sideburns.

Bibliography[]

Mission appearances[]

Red Dead Redemption 2

Quotes[]

This landscape... these views... this America... it holds us tight and once we've seen it, we'll never know ignorance again. It is that beauty which really is the eternal beauty that is truth. This... is God. Not the proof, but the thing. Not his work, but him. Wonderment is our morphine i suppose. All us Americans dream of places. They are our god... our dreams... us perhaps.
Evelyn Miller to John Marston
I am that most worthless of all creatures... a writer. A second guesser of our creator. Dreamer of others' dreams.
Evelyn Miller about his profession
I'm a terrible fraud, sir. Your friend was deceived. I am God's blithe plaything... and what a feeble game he has begun in me.
Miller about his work
Better to die free than in the jaws of a machine.
Evelyn Miller about bear traps
I can't fight my own nature... none of us can.
Evelyn Miller

Trivia[]

  • In terms of appearance and actions, Evelyn Miller seems to be inspired by the American author Henry David Thoreau, who built a cabin in order to be closer to nature after working at a university.
  • His books can be found and read at the camp, near or inside Dutch's tent.
  • If John doesn't bring food to Miller, upon returning after some time, he will be dead anyway.
  • If John becomes WANTED by the law before initiating the last part of "The American Inferno, Burnt Out" a glitch can occur where Miller will be standing undead in his cabin. This can continue even after the law has been lost and can be seen in the mission cutscene afterward.[2]
  • When returning to the burnt down cabin afterwards, the player can see golden eagles resting on top it, which can be interpreted as Evelyn getting his wish to "soar in the air with the eagles" granted.

Gallery[]

Concept Art[]

In-game[]

References[]

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