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A Visual Rhetorical Analysis of the Hillbilly Stereotype

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dc.contributor.authorJohnson, Devon V.en
dc.contributor.committeechairKuypers, Jim A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberMielczarek, Nataliaen
dc.contributor.committeememberHorning, Michael A.en
dc.contributor.departmentCommunication Studiesen
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-02T20:48:45Zen
dc.date.adate2017-05-18en
dc.date.available2017-11-02T20:48:45Zen
dc.date.issued2017-04-21en
dc.date.rdate2017-05-18en
dc.date.sdate2017-05-05en
dc.description.abstractThis study explores the concept of visual argument as it applies to the archetypal evolution of the hillbilly stereotype. Building on David Birdsell and Leo Groarke's theory of the archetype as a common element of visual argument, this study focuses on the visual archetypal construction of the rural hillbilly in twentieth-century mass media and in twenty first century internet memes, and it makes a case for the argumentative components of the archetype. Beginning with an analysis of early twentieth-century postcards, this study establishes the foundational elements of the hillbilly archetype as a symptom of class-based prejudice and explores how these key elements are visible in online memes, with particular attention to the genre of 'Trump Voter' memes that emerged as a response to the 2016 United States presidential campaign. These key archetypal elements compose a visual argument in favor of the idea of a degenerate and inferior rural America and represent a particularly dangerous rhetorical tool that can be mobilized to discount the concerns of rural people.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralThis study explores the concept of visual argument as it applies to the archetypal evolution of the hillbilly stereotype. Literature reviewed in this paper includes foundational texts on the concept of visual argument, as well as theories related to visual rhetoric more generally. Beginning with an analysis of early twentieth-century postcards, this study establishes the foundational elements of the hillbilly archetype and explores their re-emergency in twenty-first century online memes, with particular attention to the genre of “Trump Voter” memes that emerged in response to the 2016 United States presidential campaign. This study contributes to a growing field of visual rhetorical studies and highlights the damaging consequences of engaging class-based stereotypes.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Artsen
dc.identifier.otheretd-05052017-160208en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05052017-160208/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/79949en
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectSouthen
dc.subjectclassismen
dc.subjectAppalachiaen
dc.titleA Visual Rhetorical Analysis of the Hillbilly Stereotypeen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineCommunication Studiesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen

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