7 reasons why Arthur Shelby could never be a suitable leader of the Peaky Blinders

Arthur Shelby is a hot-blooded and unpredictable character in Peaky Blinders. In addition to being the oldest of the Shelby brothers, he was widely regarded as the most physically strong of them all. As the gang's enforcer, Arthur was feared by many due to his violent tendencies and well-known habit of hurling insults.

Even though he was devoted to his family and willing to follow commands without hesitation, he occasionally struggled with his own issues. His stint in the war, his addictions, and his emotional insecurity had made him a man who could win battles but never an effective leader of the Peaky Blinders. This article will discuss 7 reasons behind the failure of Arthur Shelby's leadership in Peaky Blinders.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

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Here is the list of the 7 reasons why Arthur Shelby could never be a suitable leader of the Peaky Blinders:

7. Substance abuse

Fans of Peaky Blinders have seen Arthur Shelby become more drug-dependent. He uses alcohol and opium to anaesthetize his emotional pain. In season six, he can barely stand and has lost a significant amount of body weight due to opium addiction. His addiction makes him unreliable at key moments when the gang needs him. He has cycles of being clean and cycles of being in relapse. No matter how hard he tries to stop it for his wife or for his conscience, he fails more than he succeeds.

Arthur's opium use makes him disappear in key scenes so that the action can focus on Tommy instead. When the action necessitates him, he is somewhat out of sight since his body and mind let him down. His addiction is a sign of a self-destructive person who cannot meet the requirements of leadership. He is reduced to a shadow of his former self, and this kills his hope of being seen as strong or responsible.

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6. No ambition

Arthur Shelby is very committed to his family in Peaky Blinders. He is dedicated to Tommy and the Shelby gang. However, his dedication is not accompanied by the ambition required to be a leader. He never comes forward to shape the future. He wants to be with Tommy, but he doesn't act when he is called upon. Reddit commenters point out that Arthur is driven by emotion rather than strategy. According to them, if Tommy dies, Arthur would be lost.

Arthur doesn't reach for power or control. He remains in the background. As an enforcer, he responds, not plots. This absence of ambition destroys his potential to become a leader. He lacks the motivation or vision to shape the fate of the Peaky Blinders.

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5. Grief mismanagement

Arthur Shelby from Peaky Blinders tends to lose his grip when bereavement strikes. When John Shelby is murdered, Arthur responds with violent rage. He seeks revenge and resorts to drinking rather than thinking ahead. In contrast to Tommy, who uses grief to drive a strategy, Arthur is broken. He drinks away his grief and wishes to express his wrath.

Arthur is unable to convert pain into a clean strategy. Instead, he allows it to cloud his mind. This renders him a bad leader during times of crisis. He becomes weaker and less dependable. He should stand as the Shelby family's rock during times of bereavement, but he shatters. His emotional reaction overpowers his sense. This renders him unsafe to command when stability is most necessary.

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4. Manipulable

In Peaky Blinders, Arthur Shelby is regularly used as a pawn. In season 1, he trusts his father despite Tommy's insistence that he not. He follows his heart, and it costs him dearly. He is also used by Father Hughes in season three. His need to prove himself and defend his family blinds him, and he is used in plans that deceive him. Arthur is utilized and led, just as leaders plan and guide the way.

Arthur responds to threats rather than preventing them. This makes him vulnerable. His heart is his downfall. Others notice this and capitalize on his heart. He is not the master of his own destiny. He is used as a pawn on their board rather than the puppeteer in the play. In Peaky Blinders, an authentic leader can't be this predictable or that malleable.

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3. Trauma & addiction

Arthur Shelby of Peaky Blinders is severely traumatized by World War I trauma. He suffers from PTSD, which presents itself in the form of extreme violence. He kills a boy during a bare-knuckle fight without self-control. He also uses cocaine as a way of self-medicating. His trauma is raw and destroys his peace during critical moments. He cannot conceal his suffering. This renders him unpredictable.

Arthur suffers from remorse and rage that he cannot control. In contrast to Tommy, he cannot conceal his suffering and convert it into strength. His war injuries render him unstable. He acts instead of thinking. He oscillates back and forth between savage violence and profound melancholy. This renders him unsafe to command a gang that requires a clear head and a stable presence.

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2. Emotional volatility

In Peaky Blinders, Arthur Shelby is prone to losing his composure under duress. He responds with high anger rather than calm thinking. In Season 2, Episode 2, he kills a young man while battling in a combat ring. This is how his rage emerges unexpectedly. He does not even know how to remain calm when things get tense. Leaders are required to curb their feelings. Arthur allows his anger to determine how he acts. He acts before thinking, which makes him reckless and uncertain.

When things don't go as planned, a leader needs to remain composed. Arthur's mentality was shaken by what he saw during the conflict. His outburst of anger renders him impulsive at a time when he is needed most. In Peaky Blinders, it is known that he is a fighter and a fierce man. It is that fear that makes him useful. He would then be left out of control as a leader. He would be unable to protect other people clearly. He is moved by emotions, not guided by reason. That is why he cannot be in command.

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1. Strategic shortcomings

Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders is a person with a strong character and a faithful friend, though he cannot see the whole picture. Force is used in resolving problems. He can't change his views about diplomatic deals or politics. During a dinner in Season 3, Episode 2 with a high-powered man, he is a fish out of water. He operates in a world of violence and not schemes. His brother Tommy realizes how the world of business and politics is changing and adapts to it. Arthur is unable to do the same. He is unable to fit new modes of thinking.

A competent leader cannot remain the same in a changing world. He has to adapt and innovate. Arthur only responds and is unable to handle situations where politeness or delicate negotiations are crucial. His thoughts are on survival and muscle. He is not able to develop new roles for himself. That restricts him in a society that transcends gang warfare. Arthur would crumble in Peaky Blinders, where taking on a leadership role means getting involved in politics. He can't create something long-lasting with just his strength.

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We concluded that Arthur Shelby from Peaky Blinders was remembered as a man full of paradoxes. He was boisterous and faithful in turn. He was heroic but insane. His terrible nature, drug usage, and lack of ambition had destroyed his chances of becoming a leader. He was a devoted husband and family man, but did not handle grief, trauma, and manipulation well.

Arthur was respected because he was strong, but his weaknesses outweighed his strengths. Finally, Arthur turned out to be a warrior but could not become a leader to lead the Peaky Blinders at the end. His narrative illustrates how power without control usually leads to downfall.