Final answer:
The Virginian's lack of a real name in Owen Wister's novel allows him to represent a broader archetype of the American West and to avoid a narrow, specific identity, inviting readers to see him as a symbol of the western frontier.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Virginian in the novel by Owen Wister is never given a real name, it serves a specific literary purpose. The lack of a definite name allows the character to represent a wider idea or archetype instead of a specific, individual personality. This can make the Virginian a symbol of the rugged, mysterious cowboy of the American West. Since the character embodies certain ideals and traits that are meant to represent the essence of the western frontier rather than a fleshed-out individual, giving him a specific name could narrow the reader's interpretation of him and attach to the character a distinct social or cultural identity that the author may wish to avoid.
The anonymity of the Virginian thus invites readers to connect with the character on a more universal level, as they can project their own ideals and imaginations onto this blank slate. It's a storytelling technique that suggests that his story isn't just his own, but a piece of a larger narrative about American identity and the myth of the West.