Hillbilly Elegy

patriarch of a large Appalachian family
introduces himself by drawing strict
lines between work acceptable for men
and work acceptable for women. While
it’s obvious what he considers
“women’s work,” it’s not at all clear
what work, if any, is acceptable for him.
Apparently not paid employment, since
the man has never worked a paying job
in his life. Ultimately, the verdict of his
own son is damning: “Daddy says he’s
worked in his life. Only thing Daddy’s
worked is his goddamned ass. Why not
be straight about it, Pa? Daddy was an
alcoholic. He would stay drunk, he
didn’t bring food home. Mommy
supported her young’uns. If it hadn’t