The pigs are symbols of Gus’s eccentricity and temperament. When the novel begins, they function as mascots for the operation, much to Call’s irritation. The pigs are also one of the earliest signs of Gus’s argumentative nature. He knows that any mention of the pigs will annoy Call, and later, Jake. His delight in their antics at every stage of the journey characterizes Gus as someone who can always find something to smile about. Gus likes the pigs because he believes they are more intelligent than most men he knows. When the herd leaves, the pigs follow them, as if even they know that there is nothing left for them in Lonesome Dove: “‘Why, they're the first pigs to walk all the way from Texas to Montana,’ Augustus said. ‘That's quite a feat for a pig’” (832). However, after Gus dies, the pigs quickly follow suit as the men slaughter them at Christmas. Once Gus is gone, the pigs fail to represent anything other than food.

The thorn that sticks in Jake soon after the journey begins is a symbol of the need for luck in the American West. The thorn is small but dangerous. Left unchecked, it would create bigger problems, which is why