Theme Analysis

Throughout The Last Picture Show, an overwhelming sense of loneliness and decay can be detected. Thalia seems to be dying; the buildings and houses are falling apart and the inhabitants are either physically or emotionally stuck in the small town. The people who are able to leave the small town do, and whose who can not leave wish that they were able to. When Duane left for the Korean War at the end of the novel, he had a cheerful disposition about him, because he was about to go somewhere other than Thalia and the surrounding cities. Sonny sadly tells Duane that he wishes he was able to join the army and go overseas. This eagerness to leave small towns was customary during the time period of the novel. McMurtry was trying to show that small town life was quickly diminishing as people longed for more meaning in their lives. Small town life, however picturesque it may sound, is quickly fading into the background of the American culture.

The loneliness comes into play when analyzing the different relationships that took place in the novel. It is easy to see by the brief encounters that sex means almost nothing to the people of this town; they are willing to do anything that would make themselves feel something. In a way, the people are hoping that having sex will fill the hole that the town has created. McMurtry is showing his distaste for the way relationships are conducted in today’s society. What once used to be considered intimate is now commonplace. Marriage is no longer a sacred union, but something to do when you are bored. Relationships have become meaningless encounters, and people only care about immediate gratification, not the connection that a relationship can bring.

“‘She was done married,’ Sam said gravely. ‘Her and her husband was young and miserable with one another like so many young married folks are. I thought they'd get comfortable when they got older, but it didn't turn out that way.’

‘Bein' married always so miserable?’ Sonny said ‘Nobody seems to like it much.’

‘No, not really. About eighty percent of the time, I guess. We oughta go to a real fishin' tank next year. Aw, too late to think about things like that too much. If she was here, I'd probably be just as crazy now as I was then in about five minutes. Ain't that ridiculous? Naw, it ain't really. 'Cause bein' crazy 'bout a woman like her's always the right thing to do. Bein' a decrepit old bag of bones - that's what's ridiculous - gettin' old (McMurtry 154).’”