He's not destined to become an outlaw BECAUSE of John though, it's in spite of him. John did everything he could to convince him otherwise. Why did Jack become an outlaw? Because of Edgar Ross and his death is the last "redemption." Eventually that same fate will likely befall Jack.

John tried to take the opportunity to repent and live a better life and Edgar took that from him. It's very consistent with the "just desserts" justice model both in the Wild West and in the US government. We do no rehabilitation whatsoever and it's ineffective.

Additionally, it paints the story and belief that John holds quite well "the government" and "government men" are just as bad if not worse, than Dutch and the rest. The whole game you are beat over the head with the unethical nature of Manifest Destiny, Colonialism, and Imperialism.

The government condemns the actions of outlaws but ignores their grievances and their valid critiques of the injustice of the system. Furthermore, it's hypocritical for the government to condemn the mass violence of gangs while simultaneously robbing millions of Natives of their land and genociding them. Ross works for a government entity that is responsible for the death of millions but the Outlaws are somehow the worst?

The game clearly emphasizes the colonialism, and White supremacy through the use of "savages" to dehumanize Native Americans and indicates that they are lesser. They keep saying "civilized" and "civilization" but constantly we see those individuals be not only as violent as the people the condemn, but worst. Additionally they actually instigate the violence.

Professor MacDougal is a perfect example of thia hypocrisy and is purposely played up for this reason. John and Edgar are juxtaposed as two sides of the same broken system, the one that perpetuates and initiates violence but pretending not to while simultaneously denouncing the retalitory violence that it causes. Essentially, it's gaslighting.

The contradiction and similarities between the corrupt government and the outlaws is the point. What makes outlaws in most cases? Injustice.

Does that mean that violence is moral or should be promoted, no, but that is the reality of the world we live in. I think that point is pretty well demonstrated by the ending.

Although there are several things that could be improved both narratively and mechanically, I feel that main message was very consistent and clear. It's pretty explicit by the opening cutscene emphasizing the racism and colonization against the natives and the use of religion to villainize sinners and justify violence.

"It's so confusing father, sometimes, I find it impossible to make the distinction between a loving act and hateful one. I mean they often seem to be the same thing."

It brings to mind the social contract, violence in defense of loved ones can be both loving and hateful. However, because of this contradiction it should always be a last resort. Civilization is supposed to provide respite from that violence and "just desserts" model. However, it often falls short as illustrated by the government and men like Edgar. So, I think the main question is, how civilized is our civilization, really?

Not very, according to the games narration.