Lindsay Character Analysis in Hillbilly Elegy

Bev’s daughter and J.D.’s half-sister, though he considers her a full sibling, considering the fact that they are so close. When Bev was acting up on drugs or fighting with her lovers, Lindsay comforted J.D. and took on the household’s responsibilities. To this day, J.D. still turns to his sister for advice, considering her the person he’s “proudest to know.” He writes that she was always “more adult than child,” and he remains forever grateful for the role she played in his life as his most immediate means of support.

Lindsay Character Timeline in Hillbilly Elegy

The timeline below shows where the character Lindsay appears in Hillbilly Elegy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Upward Mobility and Personal Agency Theme Icon

...too well.” As such, she divorced her first husband after giving birth to Vance’s sister Lindsay at nineteen years old. (full context)

...She started staying out late and partying with strangers, often not coming home until after Lindsay, who was a teenager involved in her own nighttime activities. On top of this lifestyle,... (full context)

Vance takes a moment to sing the praises of his sister Lindsay, who served as his protector when Bev’s life was chaotic and dangerous. Indeed, he admits... (full context)

...a chair after not having heard from him for several days. Everyone was distraught, especially Lindsay, who fell to the ground and said that she had taken advantage of him. Vance... (full context)

...her front yard and berating Matt, calling him a “fucking loser nobody” before turning to Lindsay and saying, “You’re a selfish bitch, he was my dad, not yours, so stop acting... (full context)

...burden her now that Papaw was gone. As such, he relied on himself and on Lindsay. They even enjoyed their independence, since it was the first time they didn’t feel like... (full context)

Vance finished eighth grade and Bev completed a full year of sobriety. In addition, Lindsay married and had a child. In short, all was well. That is, until Bev decided... (full context)

...a kind man who could offer Vance a stable life. Nonetheless, Vance missed Mamaw and Lindsay, and after only a couple weeks at Don’s, he decided to go home. Mamaw had... (full context)

...at school and he started experimenting with alcohol and marijuana. He also felt “detached” from Lindsay, since she’d established an adult life of her own with a happy family, leaving him... (full context)

...for each of her children—Bev’s share, however, was to be split evenly between J.D. and Lindsay. This perhaps contributed to Bev’s utter dismay and her heartless accusation on the way to... (full context)

...but he’s willing to recognize that Bev is not a bad person—she loves him and Lindsay and did try (in her own way) to be a good mother. At the same... (full context)

...had since childhood, wherein he’s trapped in a conference room inside a tree house with Lindsay and Mamaw. Suddenly, Bev enters and starts wreaking havoc on the room, upturning furniture and... (full context)