Characters In Lonesome Dove

Doves mate for life and a lonesome dove is one that has lost or looking for its partner. This is perfectly depicted in the novel “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurty with two central characters, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call. The story follows a cattle drive spanning from the Rio Grande to northern Montana which entails much action. Among the action, there are multiple love stories. The two former Texas Rangers are inspired to start this adventure when tales of the beautiful Montana land are brought to their attention. They were rich enough and had no real reason to embark on this knowingly difficult trek but they would be the first cattlemen to move themselves and their crew, the Hat Creek Cattle Company, to Montana and that alone was enough incentive for the two restless souls. They leave their quiet town of Lonesome Dove and there is much drama along the way; hard learned lessons, boundless love, and heartbreaking deaths. Augustus, “Gus”, McCrae is a man who has a personality that you cannot help but fall in love with. He lives his every day to the fullest, never taking anything too seriously. He is full of wit and charm and knows no stranger. Woodrow Call on the other hand is reserved and emotionally distant, balancing out Gus’ sociability and making them an outstanding pair. There are other characters
such as Newt and Deets who play vital roles in the story as well. Newt is a young boy who has never been on a drive of this sort and he has many lessons to learn along the way. His father is unknown because Gus and Woodrow picked him up when he was abandoned as a boy. It is rumored that Woodrow may be his father but he never shows much interest in investigating the situation. With Gus and Woodrow as father figures, Newt grows up to be a nice young man. Deets is a very experienced hand but because of him being black he can never assume a leadership role. Even though he does get everything he deserves, he is a very happy go lucky man who lives his life accordingly. One of the main themes that follows through the story is death and how it is part of the West. Throughout the drive there are many seemingly unbearable deaths but the drive continues and the main characters keep pushing through. This ambition to keep making progress is aligned with one of the other themes in the story which is the American Dream and the dedication to overcome all of the trials and adversity that they face. The American Dream is the ideal that the government should protect each person's opportunity to pursue their own idea of happiness. The challenges may be different for people today than they were in the setting of this novel but This American Dream follows through into today’s times still. One character, Deets, especially shows this hope and dedication as he was a runaway slave who had to fight to get his freedom from being so mistreated. Most men would have given up at the thought of having to hurdle the racial bounds that Deets did but he showed such great courage and strength that he persevered. The story is told from a third person, omniscient, and objective point of view which helps the reader to understand every aspect of the tales. McMurty’s use of detail is key in this story, he uses such specifics that one feels as if they are really there. His word choice and sentence structures also play vital roles in creating a sense of the Old West. By taking the time to really describe all of the characters backstories and events that led up to what is happening now, there is no way to avoid getting attached to the characters as you follow along. McMurty not only describes the characters this thoroughly but also the surroundings. The imagery that is depicted throughout the novel is so vivid. There is never a missed detail which is what makes the story so entertaining. The reader is given information but left to make up their mind how they want to feel with it. There are many instances within the length of the adventures where some people may differ from one another’s. One thing is for sure though, no matter how the reader feels, they will definitely feel tangled up in it all. Through the ups and the downs, every emotion that the characters are feeling, the reader also feels. As the group continues they encounter gun fights, hangings, wild Indian chasings, and everything in between.
Eventually they make it to Montana but not without great consequences and losses to them all. One of the most significant being when Gus dies of blood poisoning caused by two Indians arrows. But before he dies, he makes Woodrow promise to bury him back in Texas. This request sets in motion even more tragedy for the Hat Creek crew but of Gus being Woodrow’s best friend, he sets back for Texas without hesitation. When Woodrow finally returns Gus’ body to Texas, he discovers that Lonesome Dove is almost a ghost town leaving him in a bad place
emotionally. “Lonesome Dove” is an amusing, exciting, insightful, and moving novel that everyone deserves to know. Not only does it depict a great story of the Wild West but it tells of remarkable people who overcame enormous obstacles together. McMurty manages to tangle up serious matters and comical ones all together effortlessly. Reading this book adds to you as a person. Although it is a bit lengthy, you will not regret taking the time to indulge in this novel. In fact, you will not be able to put it down after you start reading it. The story that McMurty brings to life is amazing, there is really nothing else quite like it. If you only read one Western novel in your life, read Lonesome Dove.