Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. In the years after World War II, the midwestern states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin were important hubs for industrial production. With the increase of globalization and the movement of jobs from the US to overseas manufacturing facilities in the 1970s, however, these states experienced a loss of industry and employment. The resulting economic difficulties incurred the use of the nickname “the Rust Belt” by many academics and politicians.

• Consider the term “the Rust Belt.” What type of images does this phrase conjure?
• How did the movement of jobs from this region to overseas affect local economies?
• What effect would such economic change have on future generations?

Teaching Suggestion: This question will initiate discussion on the historical and geographical contexts of the region in which the author was born. Students should consider the larger effects of economic decline on societies, particularly as it relates to unemployment and the effects of job insecurity on families. Consider linking this question to U.S. History and Government curricula related to the topics of the 1970s recession, the Reagan era, political election strategies and the theme of Appalachian Migration.

• “The Rust Belt,” an article by Investopedia, provides a historical overview of the decline of U.S. manufacturing states’ economies.

2. In the Appalachian mountain region of the United States, many individuals trace their heritage to Scottish and Irish immigrants. This Scots-Irish heritage is often linked to the term “hillbilly,” which is sometimes used to reference individuals living in this mountainous region. Based on your own understanding, what does the term “hillbilly” imply? How is a “hillbilly” perceived in contemporary culture and the media? Investigate how the historical meaning of the word has changed over time.

Teaching Suggestion: This question will prepare students for the cultural discussions inherent to Vance’s memoir. Encourage students to think of popular representations of “hillbillies” in the media, as well as attributes commonly associated with these stereotypical representations.

• This article from Lees McRae College provides a brief overview of the presence of Scots-Irish heritage in the Appalachian region.
• This link gives the presumed etymology of the word “hillbilly.”

Short Activity

An elegy is a form of written expression that often centers on the lamentations of a deceased loved one. Working in small groups, select an elegy and read it together. Analyze its meaning. Then read the elegy out loud to the other groups and share your analysis with them. Be sure to note how the theme of death and loss is incorporated into the chosen work.

Teaching Suggestion: This question introduces a form of literature used by famous authors and encourages students to reflect on Vance’s title. It also links to the last essay question.

• This article by Britannica provides more information on the structure, types, and popular examples of an elegy.