Arthur and Micah as Character Foils
"In any narrative, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character, typically, a character who contrasts with the protagonist, in order to better highlight or differentiate certain qualities of the protagonist. A foil to the protagonist may also be the antagonist of the plot" (Foils, Wikipedia).
We hate one, we love the other. We love to hate the former. Micah Bell was written blatantly as an opposing force to our beloved big boy. What makes him an interesting narrative device is not only the differences between Micah and Arthur, but rather their similarities. A foil must be opposing in personality as well as role in the story, but not necessarily in their background as a character. In fact, this is a tactic to make a more heavy handed moral message within the plot.
What we know of Micah's life prior to joining the gang comes in sparse snippets, blink and you miss it details that only fanfiction writers have committed to memory (guilty). We know he grew up alongside his brother Amos, who assumedly is younger considering traditionally only the oldest son is named after a father and grandfather. We know they have likely always had a strained relationship because of their differences, and that at some point there was a falling out between them. Considering his father brought a 17 year old Micah along on a bonding murder trip, it's fair to say his childhood environment was less than ideal.
Arthur was raised in a similar environment, with an abusive outlaw father and a lack of proper guidance in life. He, too, has a younger brother with whom he shares a strained relationship. The difference is that Arthur has always rejected the violence that is present around him. Micah does not see his father as abusive, instead sounding almost reverent in his recollection of childhood. Their nurture was similar but their nature is vastly different. Arthur has love in his life. He has friendships, familial relationships and he chooses to participate in these. Micah intentionally severs any possible friendships, keeping others at arm's length and insisting he is content with that. They are both clearly deeply insecure men, though the key aspects of their personalities show in how they manage their insecurities.
Micah makes his problems everyone else's problems, where Arthur is shown to be helpful and kind, not wanting to burden others with his own shortcomings. He enjoys his friendships, is fair and friendly toward the women in camp, abhors the common sentiments of racism at the time. Some of this can be attributed to Dutch's influence, but I think it's more to do with Arthur's inherent personality.
It is Micah's antagonistic interactions that help players to better understand Arthur. That contrast is necessary. It outlines a core theme of the game: we are only as good as we try to be.
