Lonesome Dove

Despite his many accolades, the respect of his men, and his reputation, Call is a disappointment to himself. Where does his self-loathing come from? Why does Gus say that Call can’t be happy unless he is suffering more than anyone else?

The fact that Call is Newt’s father is the most poorly kept secret in Lonesome Dove. Near the story’s conclusion, Call appears to come close to revealing the truth, but doesn’t. Why can’t Call acknowledge Newt as his son? What effect does this have on Newt and his outlook on family?

Gus is one of the only characters who always seems to enjoy his life, no matter what he suffers. How does he maintain such a cheerful outlook? Why would a person with such a zest for life choose to die rather than undergo the amputation of his legs?

Lonesome Dove has a large cast of characters, and McMurtry uses them to bring the reader into many different points of view. What purpose does this serve in developing the themes of the novel? Do you think the story could have been told as well with fewer characters? Why or why not?

Readers of the previous novels will know that Clara has always kept Gus at arm’s length while also wanting to maintain their long-term romantic prospects. Why doesn’t she ever agree to marry him? What role does Gus’s devotion to Call play in Gus’s relationship with Clara?

Clara tells Call that she despises him for taking so much of Gus’s time away from her. Do you think this is a fair criticism of Call? How does McMurtry portray the validity of her statement?

Discuss the ways the reputations of the characters influence those around them. For instance, Jake has a reputation as a gunfighter that is not entirely deserved. Gus and Call have the grudging respect of the bandits and the warriors they fought, but they are old enough to be unknown to the younger generations, such as the impudent bartender. How does each characters reputation reflect the themes of the novel and McMurtry’s characterization of the American West?

Lorena begins the novel confined to a small saloon and a smaller bedroom. By the end of the novel, she is once again alone in a room, but this time it is in Clara’s house. Discuss Lorena’s character arc as she goes from a taciturn woman who questions her dignity, to a confident woman who helps to run Clara’s farm.