Why does John Hurt stay with The Association?

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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Heaven's Gate

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drakeholland64 — 9 years ago(May 16, 2016 02:57 PM)

I love the movie, but couldn't understand why Billy stayed with the association, and even helped in the massacre of Nate Champion and the others.

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col_rutherford — 9 years ago(June 10, 2016 10:12 AM)

Because he's a coward. He feels that what the Association is doing is wrong, but he dares not actively oppose them because he doesn't want to jeopardize his wealth and social status. When James asks him what will he do, Billy responds "I'm a victim of our class, James."
Billy becomes an ineffective, self-loathing drunk, a man of words and not of deeds. He goes along with the Association but is reluctant to get his hands bloodied in the fighting. He tries to remain a bystander, but in the end the violence affects him too.