On the Rails: A Content Analysis of Contemporary Hobo zines

1. On the Rails:A Content Analysis of Contemporary Hobo zines Image by Justin Curtsinger Nikki WitowskiUndergraduateSaint Mary’s Collegenwitow01@saintmarys.eduNovember 26, 2007Advisor: Susan Alexandersalexand@saintmarys.edu

2. Introduction •Hobo – A wandering homeless person who makes a habit of freight train hopping • (Freight) Train Hopping – The act of (illegally) hitching a ride on a freight train • Zine- Non-professional, non-commercial, self-produced publication devoted to a particular subject matter (Originates from the term “magazine”) • Hobo Zine- Zine created by hobos and devoted to the hobo lifestyle

3. Purpose/Thesis • The purpose of this study is to shed new light on contemporary hobo culture by examining themes found in current hobo zines.

4. Literature Review • Hobo Literature Anderson (1923) Caplow (1940) Allsop (1967) Conover (1984) • Zine Literature Duncombe (1997)

5. Social Construction Theory • Berger and Luckmann (1967) • Gamson (1992) • Duncombe (1997)

6. Methods • Content Analysis • Convenient Sampling Technique • Total population of 210 articles (from 15 zines) • Random sample of 40 articles • Latent Coding for Themes

7. Methods Themes Coded for: • Relationships with People (railroad workers, railyard police officers, outsiders, insiders) • Motivating Forces (adventure, freedom, wanderlust, escape) • Emotive States (discomfort, reverence for nature, content/joy, comfort, alienation/the “other”, peace, loneliness/isolation) • Other Themes (train hopping, alcohol use, hygiene, waiting, concern for food/water, illicit drug use, begging, dumpster diving)

8. Findings “I saw a worker inspecting a train and determined to approach him. Before I could say anything, he asked where I was headed. When I answered Minneapolis, he said: “This is not your train. He said the train I wanted was called The Superior. To my surprise, he picked up his radio and asked what track The Superior was on.” Photo by Nathan Ellis

9. Findings “I guess to the rail workers it’s just another night at work, but to some of us (hobos) it’s more, this culture of evolving nomadism with deep ties to the past and an understanding of how fragile and unsustainable the dominant culture is that we find ourselves trying to escape.” Photo by Crkt

10. Findings “I was craving the mundane and familiar normal human interaction. I felt disconnected and a little lost. I felt small, lonely, and alone, and the freight yard loomed large and threatening. “ “I remember sitting alone in that starlit vast beauty that is the desert at night with the warm wind rushing past and feeling totally at peace.”

11. Findings “We were so dirty and so smelly from days on the rails without any chance to bathe. I smelled strong to myself and I could tell by the looks around me that everyone else in their smart business suits in the crowded bus could as well.”

12. Discussion • Relationships with people are characterized by interest and/or charity • Hobos value immediate gratification as opposed to deferred gratification • Hobos value adventure at the cost of personal safety and/or financial security • Wanderlust and freedom to go wherever/whenever override fear of arrest, fine, or injury • Hobos are conscious of yet willing to violate cultural norms • Hobos devise unique methods to survive • Drugs (illegal/legal) are a regular part of some hobos’ lives

13. Questions?