The Last Picture Show | Themes & Symbolism

The Last Picture Show Significant Topics

Loneliness

Loneliness and isolation are two of the most pervasive themes of The Last Picture Show. From the first page, Sonny surveys the emptiness of Thalia and feels "like he was the only human creature in the town" (p. 1). This feeling haunts Sonny frequently and comes back strong the morning that Dwayne leaves Thalia for Korea. It is almost as if both Sonny and Thalia are lonely, as if the town itself could feel the effects of its isolation. Its worst manifestation is when Sonny feels so lonely after Sam the Lion's death that, as he stands on the sidelines of a football game he can no longer play in, he feels like he has been erased. He is no longer merely alone in the town, but it is as if he has ceased to exist. Other characters also suffer from these feelings. Ruth says that she isn't upset about...
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