In Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, Arlie Hochschild travels to Louisiana to make sense of American conservatives’ beliefs. One of the techniques that Hochschild utilizes is literary symbols. Hochschild’s use of the empathy wall and deep story engage me in the ongoing conversation about the American political divide. Her targeted audience is those who want to understand why people vote for Trump and liberals who want to learn how to empathize with the right wing. The author’s use of symbols is an effective technique as they help the readers to understand and empathize with those holding different political views. Hochschild makes the effective choice to use symbols to better understand the growing political divide.
Hochschild attempts to cross the empathy wall to attempt to understand Americans holding radically different political opinions than her. The empathy wall serves as a hindrance to the deep understanding of someone who makes a person with different beliefs feel hostile. The efficient choice of symbols allows the readers to attempt to appreciate the relations between politics, feeling, and life. The renowned sociologist says, “Looking out the window of the truck, it’s clear that Mike and I see different things. Mike sees a busy, beloved, bygone world. I see a field of green” (Hochschild 4). In making this comment, Hochschild successfully puts the readers in Schaff’s view of the world. Learning a deep story stems from crossing the empathy wall.
Hochschild focuses on deep stories to help explain the growing disconnect between the left and right wing. By interviewing Louisianans and members of the Tea Party, Hochschild learns that everyone has a deep story. These stories enable the audience to see how people feel through symbols and without judgment. Hochschild states, “You are a stranger in your own land. You do not recognize yourself in how others see you” (Hochschild 144). Through focusing on why people feel a certain way and seeing their different upbringings, readers feel challenged to confront their own assumptions and biases. During Hochschild’s interview with Jackie Tabor, Hochschild learns about Tabor’s emotionally empty childhood where she was jobless and homeless. Hochschild explains, “Jackie’s lesson ran counter to the deep story; one shouldn’t wish too much for what seems like the next step toward the American Dream. That was grabbing. On the other hand, she had struggled hard emotionally not to grab for it” (Hochschild 175). The readers engage in a set of feelings and learn self-awareness skills. The deep story makes Hochschild and her readers consider their own deep story and remove any preconceived notions.
As a sociologist, Hochschild has a great ability to see how life feels toward those on the right. The readers can easily explore the emotion that motivates politics. Even more, the empathy wall teaches me how to put myself in others’ shoes and try to feel the world from their perspective. The book inspires me to become more politically active, further engage in my community and develop my deep story. While reading, I realize that everyone must know his or her story before judging others. In order to see myself and the world afresh, I need to remove my preconceived notions. Learning people’s stories and empathizing are crucial to bridge the gap.
