Novel Paper on The Last Picture Show
             Accurately depicting life through the eyes of a teenager is now easy feat to accomplish. However, Larry McMurtry's epic novel, The Last Picture Show, successfully accomplishes this task . The Last Picture Show is a tantalizing tale of teenagers struggling towards adulthood and grasping for maturity. When looking at how specific and accurate some of the instances in the book are, it becomes evident that some of McMurtry's teen experiences are found between the pages as well. Through the character of Sonny, setting, and a third person omniscient point of view, McMurtry is able to authentically recreate small-town American in the little town of Thalia
             Through the character of Sonny Crawford, McMurtry is able to create a walking reflection of small town morals and values. Throughout the novel, there is no question that Sonny is the central figure whom everything in Thalia revolves around. The main figures in Sonny's life are Ruth Popper, the 40 year-old woman he begins to date, his best friend Duane and his socially climbing girlfriend Jacy, Sam the Lion, the father figure of the town, and Billy. Like one would expect in a small town, all these characters stories become interconnected. When Sam dies, Duane suddenly moves to Odessa, stranding Sonny without a best friend. Sonny attempts to compensate for this void by starting to date Duane's ex-girlfriend, Jacy. Conflict erupts when Duane returns to Thalia and witnesses what Sonny has done. He cannot believe that his best friend would do something like that to him. When Duane finally returns to Odessa, Sonny and Jacy get married, only to have Jacy's parents annul the marriage and move on. Sonny is now without his best friend, pseudo father, and the woman he loved. He clings on to all he has left, which is Billy, who is found constantly walking down the street sweeping.
             Through all his problems, Sonny is st...