Angela Mogin
asked:
Was anyone else as horrified as I at those aspects of the Hillbilly culture the author praises? Mamaw was mean; she cussed, threatened and used physical violence and he admires her- why?
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Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,
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Laurie Cortright
Spoken like someone who has never had to settle for less than perfect. He admires her because she was the best he had, the most steady, the most dependable, and the one who would be there for him. Maybe for you that's horrible, but for someone living the life he was living, it was an incredible blessing.
Jane
She gave him stability as well as unconditional love and support. She's the person who instilled in him the belief that he could do whatever he wanted. If Mamaw hadn't been in his life, he mght never have joined the Marines or gone to college.
David Edmonds
At least Mamaw was stable. the bar was pretty low.
Stephanie
And she was always there for him. She may have been gruff ~ but when she was mean (or perceived) to him, it was actually in love and to keep him motivated. Sounds backward, I know... but if you notice, her statements to him were to not be lazy, get education and keep striving for more.
Susan
As a child he deeply loved her and cleaved to her. She was a mother to him because his own mother was unable to be one. I believe he is indebted to her for her encouragement and unwavering love for him -- which he so desperately needed to get him through the toughest years. I don't think he ever admired her behavior. He loved her in spite of her Hillbilly ways.
Rosemary Hood
Because she always had his back!
Deborah Underwood
I thought his Mamaw was wonderful. Yes, she cursed, threatened and was violent, at times, but overall she not only adored her grandson but encouraged him, supported him in every conceivable way, gave him stability and love on a consistent basis, provided a peaceful home, believed in him, helped him to aspire to greatness, encouraged him to be disciplined in his schoolwork and more. She was a saint compared to the chaos and debilitating instability and drama that his mother subjected him to.
Atheena
Mamaw would protect him at all cost. She was stable and reliable. Unlike his parents. He could depend on her. Mountain people make a HUGE difference between mean and cruel. I think most out of the mountains would think the two the same. Being mean does not mean she was always mean just that she would be if needed. So many people stand around watching others get hurt or even killed and love to talk about what you would do if something happened. Mamaw would do it... not just talk about it.
Joaquina Pereira
I m on 44 page and I already feel the same This people have no education and respect to themselves and for others. How I admire Portugal's people countryside! Thanks we are not like this Midwest people. Reading this book Im sure I Will understand why some people vote Trump, someone so 6uneducate, unpolite, bad person, liar...etc all a decent person know!
Rachel Harper
There is something to be said for being tough.In some places, softness is a luxury. My grammy was tough, much to my mom's mortification, but she had to be to survive the conditions and situations she was pushed into. But we knew we were loved unconditionally, if not publicly
Ali
Because humans are complex, flawed beings. No one is just good or just bad, just like the community and culture she came from. Who she is demonstrated this reality in a poignant way.
Heather
Mamaw and Papaw truly loved him... which he could sense through it all. I don't remember them violating her physically.... did they?
Pat Giese
Right. She raised a daughter who chose drugs over her children; and couldn't seem to keep a husband. Mamaw never worked outside the home but had all kinds of opinions about others who did the same. And, seems the only time these God-fearing folks went to church was for a funeral. Let me just say, their culture is very foreign to me.
Darth
No. That sounds like a grandma to me - LOVE YOU GRANDMA PEGGY! R.I.P.
Ellen
She was dependable. Unlike his addicted mother.
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