Critical Analysis Of J.d. Vance’s Book ‘Hillbilly Elegy’

This is a criticism of J.D. Vance. Published by HarperCollins Publishers.

In his book Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. reveals his experiences growing up in an Appalachian region of the United States. Vance is a master at helping the reader understand the lives of the poor. This paper is going to outline and support J.D. Vance tells us what a “hillbilly” lives and believes. J.D. Vance begins by listing his credentials.

At the start, J.D. Vance introduces himself. He is only 31 years old. His life hasn’t been particularly interesting. He is a Yale graduate and he beats the odds. He then lists the values of his culture that are important to him. He listed values such as Persistence and Loyalty, which are “cultural traditions” that can sometimes go too far. Hillbillies are pushed to the edge of isolation from other people or outsiders. J.D defines hillbilly-elegy. Hillbilly-elegy is “reacting negatively to bad situations”.

He tells the story of a 19-year old soon-to-be father who was working in J.D. He told a story of a young man who would soon be able to father a child. He took frequent and long bathroom breaks and missed work every week. He was fired after he yelled and screamed at his boss. This story shows how Young Hillbillies blame others for their mistakes and don’t accept responsibility. J.D. does not have an unbiased view because the book is based on HIS life.

In the first chapter, J.D. In chapter 1, J.D. He knew his address because his mom was always moving. Jackson, Kentucky is where he spent each summer from the time he was 12 years old. He asked his grandma (grandmother) what people were doing when they saw a hearse on the street. Her response was “we are hill people”. The community he lived in valued group identity and togetherness. J.D. wished that the life he had in Jackson, Kentucky was his regular routine. He admired his family for their closeness. His uncle pet represented hillbilly loyalty and honor. His uncle Teaberry was both respected and feared. Jackson respected his family. He was the grandson to the most talented and toughest mechanic. He had a variety of men in his Ohio life. Different men would marry and date his mother. The Appalachia region of Ohio had gone from bad to worse. The number of weakened and worn-out buildings increased. Prescription drug abuse and epidemics, as well as failing public school systems were all present. Sugar consumption is also a factor in the increase of dental problems among children. He was raised by his mamaw and pappy.

In chapter 2, he discusses his grandfather’s background. In 1946 Mamaw was 13 when she became pregnant. The family fled to Ohio, hoping to find better economic opportunities and escape the brothers of mamaw. Maybe they fled to avoid the “hillbilly Justice” wrath. Papaw was hired by a steel company which promised a better future to hillbillies. J.D continues to speak about hillbilly migration. Hillbillies moved from Appalachia into industrial economies of the Midwest. After World War 1, veterans could not find jobs in rural areas because they had been industrialized. The second wave (mamaw & papaw) took place in the 1940s & 50s. The neighbors of mamaw and papaw weren’t very friendly.

J.D. claims that hillbillies and southern blacks share similar regional characteristics. Hillbillies are more involved in their neighbors’ affairs than their neighbors. His family was falling apart, despite the fact that his grandparents were successful during their migration.

He gives more information about his immediate families. The marriage of his grandparents was in trouble. While his papaw worked, his mother stayed at home alone. They were so stressed out by their circumstances that they fought with each other and did not support their children. J.D. Vance’s mother (Bev), who grew up in a violent household, gave in to the odds. She was pregnant, didn’t attend college and couldn’t settle with a guy. She got her nursing degree despite being a drug addict, a mother with a lot of instability and a drug user. She was able to dispel stereotypes by obtaining her nursing degree. Middletown Ohio and Jackson’s society both had their problems.

Middletown, a town in decline, was “trapped” by many residents. The financial difficulties meant that people couldn’t leave.

Vance tells the story of how Don, Vance’s father, adopted him in kindergarten. Bob, J.D. was adopted legally by his mother’s 2nd husband. Mamaw was not a fan of bob, despite the fact that they had a similar background and were both alike. Bev taught him the importance education, even though she had never attended college. In Chapter 4, it is shown that Hillbilly Values promote loyalty and honor. J. D.’s maw told him that fighting was acceptable as long it was to defend the family honor. Bev started acting strangely and became absent. After bob found out that she had an affair and was seeking a divorce, Bev tried to kill herself. After her separation from bob, the family moved in closer to papaw and mamaw. Bev would party late with strangers. J.D. was thrown into chaos by her monthly boyfriend changes. She was arrested for trying to kill J.D. She chased J.D. in her car to a house where a woman called the police. J.D. In order to protect her, J.D.

In chapter 6 of J.D., His sis Lindsay desired to pursue a career in modeling in New York. Their mom does not think that she can finance their dreams of becoming models. Bev, their mom, got into a heated argument with them and slapped the children. When Mamaw threatens her with a gun, she stops hitting the kids. Upon arriving at the modeling agency, J.D. Mamaw then asks J.D. She begins to cry and hugs him. J.D. This was to reassure her. Bev still brings men into and out of her house. Bev gave J.D. a boost. Bev encouraged J.D. J.D discovered that his father is kind, religious, and active in the church. He also fought for J.D’s custody. J.D. started visiting his dad. J.D.’s new relationship with his father has helped him. J.D. learns the importance of church as a system of support. He began becoming more active in his church.

J.D. After J.D. Lindsay was upset, believing she had taken advantage of her papaw. She was guilty of asking papaw for assistance so often. Both Middletown and Jackson held services to honor papaw. Mamaw was in pain and Bev seemed distant. Bev felt that everyone else was sad, but she was the most upset. Bev began to rant about the death of Papaw after returning from Jackson. She told Lindsay not to act like her father was dead and broke up with Matt, her boyfriend. Bev became addicted prescription pills. J.D. was able to get J.D. Lindsay gained some independence. Lindsay took over as the head household. Bev became more religious after her rehab and would often quote bible verses.

Bev’s been sober a whole year. Lindsay married, became a parent and got married. Bev is planning to move J.D. and her with Bev. Matt will be living in Dayton. J.D. He does not want to leave behind family or friends. Bev thinks that J.D. Bev believes that J.D. J.D. chose to stay in Dayton instead of traveling. J.D. instead of going to Dayton, lives with Don. J.D. enjoyed living with Don, but J.D. He returned to his home because he was missing his family. Mamaw said that she loved J.D. and was glad to see him return home. J.D. He continued to attend Middletown High School despite living with Mamaw the rest of the Summer. Bev broke up with Matt and began dating Ken. J.D. Ken and J.D.’s mom moved into the house. Kens’s son used the B-word to describe J.D.s mother. J.D. He defends his mom, and he and his mum go to Mamaw’s for the night. J.D begins to smoke weed and drink. He also has a strained relationship with Lindsay.

Bev asked J.D to show her urine, proving she still used drugs. J.D calls her a terrible mother, and Mamaw tells him that she’s a bad one too. He is reluctant to share his urine with her, as he has been smoking weed. Mamaw tells Bev that he can give her his urine after the weed leaves his system. He does. J.D. He lives with Mamaw all the time, his grades are improving and he has a job in a grocery shop.

J.D. I was granted admission to Ohio State University. He didn’t want to commit himself to college and joined the marines. He was afraid that Mamaw would not be alive when he returned. J.D. liked the Marines. He gained confidence in himself. When he returned to his home country, he received equal treatment. J.D. Mamaw worried about J.D. He sent her $300 a month. One day, she collapsed her lung and was in a serious coma. Her family decided to remove her from the life-support system. J.D. remained strong as Mamaw died. She left Bev a portion of her will, which she was going to split with J.D. Lindsay. Bev became angry when J.D. Bev was angry because J.D. Lindsay claims that Mamaw is their mother. J. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D.

J.D. states that he attended Ohio State University in 2007. He did her homework very well. He worked for the Ohio Statehouse and a nonprofit organization. Due to his constant busyness, he fell ill. He was taken home by his mother, who came to Columbus. She was caring for him well while he remained sick. J.D. was upset by this. Because she was so kind. J.D. After returning to Columbus, J.D. He quit his job at the statehouse because it paid really well. He was really happy with his statehouse work, but decided later on to “like”, or enjoy, the new job. J.D. didn’t like his friends. J.D. was eager to finish his college education as quickly as he could. J.D. relocates to Middletown in order to study law. He says that the hillbillies have no “hero”. Hillbillies were not only suspicious of Obama, but also liked him.

J.D. began applying for law school. He didn’t expect to get into Yale or Harvard. He is very excited when he gets into Yale. He was so excited he went $200,000 in the hole to attend Yale. Yale pays him nearly the entire cost of his attendance. J.D. He felt at home in Yale. He met people and didn’t need to be ashamed of his past because everyone was interested. When he came back to Middletown after graduating from Yale, he felt strange because people treated him differently.

J.D. Usha, a classmate of J.D. He claims that Usha was very intelligent and had a good grasp of the world. She was J.D.’s biggest supporter. J.D. He was invited with other law students to a fancy dining establishment. They were all candidates for a high-profile job. It was a long night for him, as he didn’t know how to live a life of luxury. He was offered a position by the firm. Amy Chua told him to focus on the relationship he had with Usha instead of seeking clerkship and pursue a career that was more suitable.

As J.D. Usha’s relationship with J.D. One night after J.D. Usha and him got into a fight one night, after J.D. He stormed out, but he was surprised to find her on a theater’s steps. She said that he must be more honest with her. J.D. must still resist the temptation to fight sometimes and learn how control his temperature. He claims that hillbillies’ childhood experiences influence them as they age. J.D. Bev learns from J.D.

J.D. Usha is married to J.D. His mother is calling him because his husband kicked out her at the moment because she sold their things to pay drugs. J.D. leaves Cincinnati for his mother’s help and pays her motel fees. One day, J.D. experienced something special. A car cut off J.D. J.D was about to yell and get out of the car, but instead he calmed down.

J.D mentions in the final chapter of his book that he once volunteered to purchase Christmas gifts for children who were less fortunate. J.D. wasn’t happy with the list provided by his organization. He thought the gifts on the list were not useful for the kids and bought what he felt were appropriate presents for children who were less fortunate. J.D. One day, J.D. takes a young boy named Brian to lunch. J.D is reminded of his 15-year-old self by Brian. Brian was raised by his mother, who was a drug-addict. His father had left the family. Brian’s mother dies a few months later. J.D. Brian is not supported by anyone else. He believes that Brian’s life will become more stable if he attends church.

J.D. J.D. concludes his book by sharing a childhood dream. Bev, who is a friend of his Mamaw’s and Lindsay’s, walks into a treehouse with them and begins yelling. They start throwing furniture. He doesn’t escape from the treehouse like his Mamaw or Lindsay. He wakes up every time just as Bev grabs him. When he dreams, he’s chasing Casper. When he finally catches Casper, he does not hurt him. Instead, he gives him a hug. J.D. hugs his dog. He decides he’s finally calmed down.

In J.D.’s Hillbilly Elegy, Vance is able to describe the hillbilly lifestyle and values instilled at a young age. He speaks about his family’s struggles. Since his mother wasn’t around much, his grandparents raised him. The hillbillies were further isolated because the town in which he lived was in decline. Honor and loyalty were values that his family instilled into him from an early age. J.D. Vance does an excellent job in illustrating the chaos of his family life. His childhood was filled with trauma. His grandparents died, and they were essentially the ones who raised he. He grew to be very distant with his sister, a woman who had raised him. His mother abused him and kept bringing men into his life. His mother is now trying to make a better effort. Following J.D. He begins to feel like he belongs after he finishes law school. He falls for his future wife Usha. J.D has always struggled with his anger, and despite the fact that his life is good now, he still does it from time-to-time. When his mother returns, he is there to help her without any questions. J.D. has learned that he can control his temper and is happy by the end.

J.D. makes a convincing argument for hillbillies. The problems he faces throughout the book are caused by what he was raised to be. His violent nature and bad temper were caused by the violence that was encouraged. He had to cope with his drug-addicted mother, even though he was a married adult. This book is an example of why a community’s financial situation should be constantly reviewed. Even if the community wanted to improve itself, they did not have the resources. It was impossible for them to afford school. It’s not really a book that compares and contrasts the poor communities of America. There aren’t enough. Only the hillbilly community and the upper-class community after J.D attended Yale were discussed in detail. This book does not place much emphasis on gender because J.D’s childhood and adult experiences could have happened to anyone.