Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture

What were the causes of the massive out-migrations by Appalachians during the 20th century, and what difficulties did they encounter in the new regions they called home?

In what ways does Vance view the plight of his fellow Appalachians as their own fault, as opposed to the fault of external factors or forces? What approaches, if any, does he advocate for change?

What role, or roles, does Usha play in Vance’s life? What aspects of his psychology does she bring to the surface?

How does Vance’s relationship with his mother help define who he is and who he becomes, over the course of his life?

Compare and contrast Hillbilly Elegy with Neema Avashia’s memoir Another Appalachia, which details her experience growing up in West Virginia as a queer Indian woman. How are their experiences similar, and how are they different? What cultural picture does each memoir paint about Appalachia and why is this important?

Throughout the memoir, Vance employs data from numerous different articles and sociological studies to show changes to, and effects on, Appalachians. Which three pieces of data do you find most helpful in illustrating Appalachians’ difficult circumstances? How does Vance’s upbringing reflect, or not reflect, these statistics?

Why does Vance choose not to apply to Stanford Law School, and how does this decision epitomize his hillbilly roots?

What does Vance’s time in the Marine Corps teach him, and how does what he learns further change his outlook on life, compared to the average Appalachian?