de that for all practical purposes excludes women. It shuts almost everything out except nature and work, and I don’t think that’s good.
In contrast, Call tolerates women but will never enjoy their company as much as Gus, “Call was not as fond of Maude, Joe’s fat red-faced wife, as Augustus was, but then he had to admit he was not as fond as any woman as Augustus was” (McMurtry 153).
We can contrast Gus’ ability to enjoy the companionship of women with the awkward attempts of those like Newt when they are around “classy” women like Clara. Tongue-tied and stammering, most of the men would rather be captured by Indians than have to talk to a pretty woman. In a sense, Lorena rules this town because she is the most sought after woman in a field of few competitors. Further, she is the one who chooses who she wishes to love, Jake Spoon. Lorena will lose Spoon,
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