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Abigail Rumpp

Mrs. Norton

English III Blended

December 19th 2016

Cultural Context Essay

The wild west of Texas was a dangerous and hazardous time in American history. In the early

decades of the 18th century, American settlers chose their home alongside the coastline near the Gulf of

Mexico, which eventually pushed onto the Texas plains. Because of land border complications, the U.S.

Army could not protect these settlers, which caused them to create self-made defense militias, which

ultimately led to the creation of the Texas Rangers Division (Wood 1). In Lonesome Dove, characters like

Captain Call are famous and well known rangers, admired for their expeditions against bandit groups,

Mexicans, and Indians. Originally, the plan was to coexist peacefully with the Indians, and keep the Texas

Rangers Division for a militia and standard policing. But, because of a new president coming to power in

December of 1838, the idea of multiculturalism quickly vanished - this left the Texas Rangers in charge of

driving the Cherokee and Comanche out of Texas.

Then, in 1842, during the Mexican invasion of Texas and the U.S.-Mexican War four years later,

the Rangers became true frontier and guerrilla fighters in the war. Their effective fighting and led to the

group of more than 100 rangers being officially constituted on November 24th, 1835, granting them the

title and honor of future enlistments by the United States (Wood 1). It is during this time that their

ruthlessness and deeds became quite evident, gaining the group of rangers nationwide popularity. The

Texas Rangers are well known for taking part in some of Texass most important historic events, such as

stopping the assassination of William Howard Taft, and solving criminal cases that occurred within the

borders. While Lonesome Dove takes place sometime after the Texas Rangers Divisions hayday, their

legacy is still quite evident in the Texas lands. Call sighed. All the gunfighter business went back to one

lucky shot Jake had made when he was a mere boy starting out in the Rangers. It was funny how one shot

could make a mans reputation like that. It was a hip shot Jake made because he was scared, and it killed a

Mexican bandit who was riding toward them on a dead run (McMurty 42). Still, past the days of the
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U.S.-Mexican War, Captain Call and his team of rangers still protect the border and fend off bandits

throughout Lonesome Dove, as they attempt to keep the peace between the townsfolk and those across the

border.
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Authors Background Essay

Larry McMurty was born in Archer City, Texas on July 3rd, 1936 to Hazel Ruth and William

McMurty, a rancher. When McMurty was younger, he remembers spending five or six years at his

grandfathers house on a ranch without books, but his extended family would read him books every night

on the front porch and tell stories. It wasnt until 1942 that he began to read, when his cousin Robert

Hilburn left a crate containing nineteen books. The books were all adventure tales from the thirties, the

first book he read being Sergeant Silk: The Prairie Scout.

After McMurtry graduated, he moved to Houston, where he worked as a bookstore manager

while earning his M.A. from Rice. He then went to Stanford University from 1960 to 1961 on the Wallage

Stegner Fellowship in fiction (Wertheimer). He wrote under Wallace Stegner, an author described as The

Dean of Western Writers. From there, he studied the art and craft of works of fiction alongside numerous

other writers. In 1962, he wrote and published his first novel, Horseman, Pass By. Immediately

afterwards, the rights for the book were optioned for the movie that would become Hud, right before the

novel was published. "Almost before the last period [was] put on the book," according to McMurtry.

In 1966, McMurty published one of his best known books, The Last Picture Show. The novel

established his career as a serious novelist, and sparked controversy for its sexual content and the open

discussion of said content. Regardless, in 1971, McMurtry co-wrote the screenplay for a film version of

the novel with the film's director, Peter Bogdanovich. The film won several awards and the film was a

smashing success.

From this time period onwards, McMurtrys life evolved, causing his works in particular to

change. After he left Texas around 1970, he opened a book store with friends called Booked Up Book

Store, a book store that focused on selling rare and uncommon novels. He opened up several other

Booked Up Book Stores in the United States. From there, he wrote several more novels - after moving

away from the rural life, McMurty began to take great interest in the urban settings. In 1970, he wrote

Moving On, a novel that focused on a young married couple trying to find purpose in their lives. Then, in

1985, McMurty wrote one of his more critically acclaimed novels, Lonesome Dove, praised by critics for

bringing a revival to the western genre (Wertheimer 1).

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The story of Lonesome Dove focuses on the relationship of several Texas Rangers and their

adventure from Texas to Montana. Originally, the tale of the Rangers was developed for a feature film,

that eventually fell apart. Ten years after the script was submitted in 1972, McMurty bought the rights

back and created the full length novel, which became a bestseller and won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for

Fiction. Lonesome Dove quickly became a beloved novel for its creative quirks and imaginative story

telling. Shortly after its publication and success, the novel became a TV miniseries, its success creating a

legacy that most novels aspire to have. McMurtry himself concedes this. I don't hate it or anything,"

McMurtry stated. "I've said this many times: Lonesome Dove is the Gone with the Wind of the West.

Which is both good and bad (Wertheimer 1).

After the success of Lonesome Dove, McMurty went on to write several more works, such as

Custer, Books: A Memoir, and The Evening Star. While McMurtys writings slowly dwindled to a close,

his legacy and impact on the literature world still remains evident today.
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Analysis Paper

Lonesome Dove was written to tell a meaningful story about the adventures of a group of Texas

Rangers. In order to do so, McMurty weaved a complex web of intricate storytelling and beautifully

diverse characters. Two prominent themes in this novel are the ever so harsh reminder of mortality, as

well as overcoming the adversities of a dangerous life in the wild west for love.

The first and most evident theme presented in Lonesome Dove is the cruel reminder of mortality.

Living in the wild west in Texas is already a death sentence - surviving is an everyday battle, especially in

Lonesome Dove. Every action and reaction has its dire consequences, which proves itself time and time

again throughout the groups journey to Montana. As soon as the cattle drive begins, the OBrien brother

is bitten by a snake, killing him early on in the journey. Because his character had been scarcely

introduced to the plot, his death comes across more so as shocking rather than heartbreaking. Even so,

death is merciless in the wild west, as it hides behind every corner in the story. Comrade after comrade

drops during their travels to Montana - Captain Augustus, Newt Dobbs, and Jake Spoon. Even so, Call

and the rest of the group trudge on through the tragedy, marching forward to finish the journey. Since the

journey itself is ever-changing and extremely unpredictable, the deaths are the ultimate test of the

characters and their ability to change and adapt. The sudden change causes the characters to forcibly

adjust and change in accordance to the environment around them. Live through it, Call said. That's all

we can do (McMurty 233). Fluid characters such as Augustus thrive in this landscape; characters that

are stiff and unchangeable suffer the consequences to not adapt. An example of this can be found when

the team of Rangers finally makes it to Montana - Augustus McCrae had been shot with poisoned arrows

in the legs, and chose to die rather than to lose both of his limbs. As his final wish, he tells Call to bury

him in a place not far from Lonesome Dove. It aint dying Im talking about, its living. I doubt it

matters where you die, but it matters where you live (McMurty 199). His death, while heartbreaking and

sudden, completely changes the course of action for Captain Call. After such a long and hardship filled

journey to Montana, he must make his way all the way back to Texas in Lonesome Dove - where he first

began said journey. Lonesome Dove is a slap in the face sort of novel - the reality of the situation hits you

before it sets in, much like life outside of fiction.

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Another theme present in Lonesome Dove is the theme of raw love. Several of the characters are

seeking love, or are haunted by the absence of lovers. This theme also handily explains the title - Doves

mate for life, and a dove that is lonesome has lost or is actively seeking its partner. Elmira feels as if she

can find happiness with Dee Boot, whom she leaves both husband and baby for. In the end, the lover she

sought so desperately is hanged the day after she is reunited with him. Even Augustus McCrae, a valiant

and self contained Ranger rides hundreds of miles from Lonesome Dove to plead his affection to his past

lover, Clara. Ultimately though, Augustuss strongest trait cripples his relationship with Clara - Augustus

can only love someone who lives a strong and independent life. Ironically, it is this reason alone that

drives Augustus and Clara apart. There can be no permanent relationship between them, as their greatest

strength makes them too independent for each other. Another character, Dish Bogget, still hangs around

Lorena, to whom he devotes his life to like a lost puppy. His love is an example and an excellent reminder

that emotion alone cannot sustain a deep and passionate affection. Even so, love is a huge catalyst in the

plot of Lonesome Dove. It is also interesting to note that when the characters gamble their chances for

love, it ends in tragedy. Elmira is left heartbroken when her lover is hanged, Augustus dies after parting

ways with Clara, and Dish Bogget is left in the dust by Lorena, forever crippled by his trait of passionate

emotion.

Lonesome Dove is an imaginative novel that tells the story of a group of Texas Rangers, and their

adventures from Texas to Montana. From these adventures, the reader learns about the complex web of

intricate characters that McMurty has so carefully weaved, each characters life threaded and attached to

one another in some way. Two prominent themes in this novel are the ever so harsh reminder of mortality,

as well as overcoming the adversities of a dangerous life in the wild west for love.
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Works Cited

McMurtry, Larry. Lonesome Dove: A Novel. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985. Print.

Wertheimer, Linda. McMurtys Literary Life: Note Simple, But Practical. National Public

Radio. NPR. 23 Dec 2009. Web. 17 Dec 2016.

Wood, Andrew. "Texas Rangers and the U.S.-Mexico Border." American History, ABC-CLIO,

2016, americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1700120. Accessed 19 Dec. 2016.