Yesterdays People

Bridgette Gibbs

SWK 312

Dr. Harman

Person Environmental Analysis

April 16, 2015

        The introduction started out with the most important information that I found key through the reading, Weller stating that “plans and methods that had been successful in other places were not effective here.”  Coming into the Appalachian area is like coming into a whole new world.  The way of communication and interaction is all in its own when talking about the “mountain man.”  Weller went above and beyond with his writings of Yesterday’s People, where most just looked at the big picture and described what they saw.  Weller went a step further and lived side by side with the “mountain man” for thirteen years as an experienced pastor, to get a better understanding of our population.  Throughout the book Weller described in detail the difference between the mountain man and the middle class. Many people came and took advantage of the mountaineer and their land, knowing that the mountaineer was uneducated and was not looking for a court fight, something that was unknown territory to most.  This leading to the breakdown of the Appalachian people, the leading point of poverty and the negative outlook on the people of this region.  Many people grew up, got married and had children and left the area, looking for more then what was around them.  Several stayed behind, Weller saying that the poorly trained and poorly educated were the ones who stayed and those who could not leave their mountain culture.  

        In comparing the mountain man to the middle class there are several key points throughout the book that Weller hits on.  With the mountain man being more of an action seeker, this being described as someone who goes with the flow and works with what they have.  The middle class being more of a routine seeker, having a plan set in place and always keeping on task to get things completed and not liking to go out of their norm.  The mountain man takes the time and talks to people to build relationships, being more aware of the person to person relationships, this being a key part of who we are in the mountain state.  Where the middle class check on a few details and move on to the next project, not taking the time to make the small talk and get a better understanding of the people they are working with and for.  Personal relationships are a very core part of the mountain man existence.  The middle class being very impersonal when dealing with others.  Mountaineer families are very “whim of the moment” kind of people and go with the flow where the middle class are very structured and have a plan.  

        When looking at the importance of family in the mountaineer circle, a large family is considered a blessing.  The mountain people look at their children as a value, to who they are as parent.  Today families have steered away from the bigger families and young adult boys taking responsibility of helping take care of the younger children.  Large families are not as common these days in the Appalachia area.  In Yesterday’s People, the sex roles switched with the female getting the job and being the bread winner. Women worked in the local schools, running stores and other local businesses were the types of jobs that were available.  The wife still had her motherly roles as well though this, with the men not wanting to step up and take part in this role.  In today’s society though women and men are looked at as more equal.  Even though wages may differ, both still work outside the home.