Hillbilly Elegy Chapter 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Why did Vance have to distinguish his address from his home?

His address was where he spent most of his time with his sister, wherever that may be, but his home never changed: his great-grandmother's house, in the holler, in Jackson Kentucky.

Why do people in Jackson, Kentucky stop their cars, get out and stand at attention every time a funeral motorcade drives past?

Because they are hill people and they respect their dead.

What were the circumstances upon which Mamaw had nearly killed a man?

When she was around twelve, Mamaw walked outside to see two men loading the family's cow into the back of a truck. She ran inside, grabbed a rifle, and fired a few rounds. One of the men collapsed as a result of a shot to the leg, and the other jumped into the truck and squealed away.

What were some of Mamaw's pet peeves?

<p>Disloyalty and class betrayal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Vance often feel like hillbilly royalty?

<p>Stories made him feel like hillbilly royalty because these were classic good-versus-evil stories, and his people were on the right side.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was life like for the average citizen in Jackson, Kentucky?

<p>Many of the children are starving and the heads of the households might not have a job, and be proud about it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Mountain Dew mouth'?

<p>Painful dental problems in young children, generally caused by too much sugary soda.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do hillbillies learn from a young age about how to deal with their problems?

<p>By avoiding them or by pretending that better truths exist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Vance's Address vs. Home

Vance distinguishes his address, where he spends most of his time, from his home, which remains his great-grandmother's house in Jackson, Kentucky.

Funeral Motorcade Respect

People in Jackson, Kentucky show respect for the deceased by stopping and standing at attention during funeral motorcades.

Mamaw's Cow Defense

Mamaw shot a man in the leg for attempting to steal the family's cow when she was twelve years old.

Mamaw's Pet Peeves

Disloyalty and class betrayal were major pet peeves for Mamaw.

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Hillbilly Royalty Feeling

Vance felt like hillbilly royalty because of stories where his people were on the right side of good-versus-evil conflicts.

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Life in Jackson, Kentucky

Many residents face poverty and unemployment with a sense of pride, even as children starve.

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Mountain Dew Mouth

Severe dental issues in young children caused by excessive consumption of sugary soda.

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Hillbilly Problem-Solving

Hillbillies often cope with problems by avoiding them or pretending better truths exist.

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Study Notes

Vance's Home and Identity

  • Vance's address changed frequently while living with his sister, but his true home remained constant: his great-grandmother's house in Jackson, Kentucky.

Funeral Traditions

  • In Jackson, Kentucky, people stop and stand at attention during funeral motorcades, reflecting the community's deep respect for the deceased.

Mamaw's Bold Personality

  • Mamaw’s fierce nature is exemplified by an incident when, at age twelve, she shot a man who was attempting to steal the family's cow, illustrating her protective instincts over valuable family assets.

Core Values

  • Mamaw despised disloyalty and class betrayal, showcasing her strong commitment to family and community loyalty.

Sense of Pride

  • Vance felt a sense of superiority among hillbillies due to classic narratives where his people represented the good side in the struggle between good and evil.

Struggles in Jackson, Kentucky

  • Average life in Jackson includes severe challenges; many children face hunger, and many adults remain unemployed, yet maintain a sense of pride despite these hardships.

Health Issues

  • "Mountain Dew mouth" refers to severe dental issues in children caused by excessive sugary soda consumption. Vance's mother first introduced him to Pepsi in his baby bottle at a young age.

Coping Mechanisms

  • Hillbillies often learn to cope with their issues either by ignoring them or by creating alternate narratives that present more favorable truths.

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