Identity in the Hillbilly Elegy, Essay Example

In the text “The Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D Vance (2016), the author explores the importance of finding one’s identity. The text, in a well-structured manner, introduces the subject of identity from the first chapter and which is developed in the subsequent chapters, thus emphasizing the importance and negatives identity has. Throughout the memoir, Vance celebrates the importance of being a hillbilly but at the same time laments being associated with this identity.  As a result, the author mentions that while identity is an important aspect within a given group, this identity can be used to suppress the social and economic wellbeing of this particular group.  Vance applies rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos to prove the importance and destructive nature of an individual’s identity. He further establishes the legitimacy of these claims by delving into a personal history that demonstrates the impact identity has on an individual in both a negative and positive light.

Starting with the pathos, Vance uses an emotional appeal to attract the audience to conform with his argument on the impacts of identity. To him, his search for identity as a hillbilly exposes him to understand that he comes from a community where poverty is the family tradition; however, from another angle, he finds that he has an identity that is linked to loyalty and hard work. Through the use of these rhetorical appeals, the text approves of how the search for identity has both negative and positive impacts. From the audience’s perspective, the negative and positive influence of identity is well developed. As stated by the author, “Some people may conclude that I come from a clan of lunatics. But the stories made me feel like hillbilly royalty, because these were classic good-versus-evil stories, and my people were on the right side. My people were extreme, but extreme in the service of something—defending a sister’s honor or ensuring that a criminal paid for his crimes. The Blanton men, like the tomboy Blanton sister whom I called Mamaw [meaning grandma], were enforcers of hillbilly justice, and to me, that was the very best kind” (Vance 20). In this statement, it is evident that the author’s look into his culture has made him understand the positive aspects that are linked to his culture.  However, the loyalty and honor that the community strives to uphold shows that these same values that the community is proud of have trapped the community to be in a state of poverty and dependency. According to Reddy 2011, identity helps an individual to enjoy the value of belonging or can have a negative impact if the identity is associated with negative aspects or devalued (Reddy 12).  This assertion certifies the claim put by Vance, who suggests that the search for identity can reveal two outcomes, which are either strengthening our love for the identity or negatively affect us.

Vance’s argument is further convincing as the use of ethos enhances the credibility of the article. The author base the argument on asserting how family history is deeply important in the understanding of his hillbilly identity. Through the description of relatives reaching as far as his great-great-grandparents, he is able to understand his identity and the connection to this culture. With his understanding of how his uncles are the gatekeepers of the family oral tradition, he develops a sense of connection and believes he also has a role in maintaining the traditions.  To gain further credibility, Vance explores the other side of his identity, where he pinpoints the negative aspects of his hillbilly culture. With an open mind, he rebukes how the violent and combative culture has negatively affected his culture, thus leading to them remaining poor and dependent.

The information given by Vance is thus trustworthy since the portrayal of the hillbilly identity is insightful and cultural sensitive due to the open mind approach.  While he insists on the hillbillies being the toughest and hardworking, he does not allow this faith in cultural identity to blind him to the community’s shortcomings. Vance further argues that the hillbillies need to reexamine their identities and understand some negative aspects that are having a harmful impact on the community.  Through this request on the community to reexamine itself, the audience is well convinced on how identity tends to have both negative and positive impacts.  For instance, he asserts, “in traveling across America, the Scots-Irish have consistently blown my mind as far and away the most persistent and unchanging regional subculture in the country” (Vance 39). This shows how the hillbillies are resistant to change despite some identities having a negative impact.  Through such statements, the audience is exposed to a wider understanding of the subject of identity as told by the author.

Lastly, on the use of logos, the author, to some extent, uses facts as a means to convince the audience of the positive and negative sides of the hillbilly identity.  The author resorts to historical facts when he asserts for generations, the hillbillies have been uneducated laborers who are dedicated to their own traditions and are resistant to change. This understanding is thus vital in building the credibility of the text; as a reader, I am exposed to facts that convince me to understand that whatever the author is speaking is the truth.

In a nutshell, Vance’s article offers sufficient evidence on the search for identity and the impact it has on society and individuals.  The ethos has established his credibility on the subject due to personal experience and the support of other scholars. Pathos, on the other hand, enables the reader to feel the experience in this culture, and lastly, logos are effective in providing factual evidence on the identity and impacts, thus emphasizing the validity of Vance’s claims.

Works Cited

Reddy, Kavita. Benefits of belonging: Dynamic group identity as a protective resource against psychological threat. Diss. Columbia University, 2011.

Vance, James David, and J. D. Vance. Hillbilly elegy. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2016.