- Understanding the Core Conflict in "Everyday Use"
- Character Analysis for "Everyday Use"
- The Symbolism of the Quilts in "Everyday Use"
- Themes Explored in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"
- Literary Devices and Narrative Techniques in "Everyday Use"
- Frequently Asked Questions About "Everyday Use"
Understanding the Core Conflict in "Everyday Use"
The central conflict in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" revolves around differing perspectives on heritage and how it should be preserved and honored. The story pits two sisters against each other, highlighting a generational and ideological divide. On one side is Dee, who, after a period of self-imposed distance and a dramatic change in her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, returns to her family home with a newfound, seemingly superficial, appreciation for her African heritage. She views the family heirlooms, particularly the quilts, as aesthetic artifacts to be displayed and admired from afar, detached from their practical and sentimental history. This perspective clashes directly with that of her mother, Mama, and her sister, Maggie, who understand heritage as something lived, used, and passed down through practical application and personal connection.
Mama and Maggie represent a more grounded, traditional understanding of heritage. For them, the quilts are not just beautiful objects but tangible links to their ancestors, imbued with the memories and labor of the women who made them. They believe that the true way to honor the past is to continue using the items that represent it, integrating them into the fabric of their everyday lives. Dee's desire to take the quilts and frame them as art, to be looked at rather than used, is seen by Mama and Maggie as a rejection of their lived history and a shallow imitation of an identity she has only recently adopted. This fundamental disagreement over the ownership and utilization of the quilts forms the crux of the story's dramatic tension and drives the narrative forward.
Character Analysis for "Everyday Use"
Mama's Perspective and Role
Mama, the narrator, is a strong, pragmatic woman who has worked hard all her life to provide for her family. She is physically imposing and possesses a quiet resilience. Her understanding of heritage is deeply rooted in her experiences and the traditions she has inherited. She cherishes the memories associated with the quilts and other family possessions, but she also understands their practical value. Mama’s internal struggle is evident as she grapples with Dee's new persona and her desire for the quilts. Ultimately, she makes a decisive choice that reflects her own values and her understanding of what truly honors their heritage, demonstrating a quiet strength and a clear moral compass. Her decision to give the quilts to Maggie signifies her belief in the continuation of tradition through lived experience.
Dee (Wangero) and Her Evolving Identity
Dee's character undergoes a significant transformation before her return. She has left her rural Southern upbringing to pursue higher education and has adopted a more "Afrocentric" identity, renaming herself Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo. This change, while seemingly an embrace of her African roots, is portrayed by Mama and Maggie as a superficial adoption of a cultural identity, detached from the actual history and struggles of her family. Dee sees the quilts as valuable artifacts that represent her newfound heritage, intending to preserve them as museum pieces. Her dismissive attitude towards Maggie's ability to appreciate the quilts, and her assertion that she knows "D.J." (her old name) would have wanted her to have them, highlights her self-centered and ultimately disconnected approach to her family’s legacy. Her desire is to own and display, rather than to live and continue.
Maggie's Connection to Heritage
Maggie is portrayed as shy, timid, and marked by the burn scars she received in a house fire that also claimed her father and sister. She is deeply attached to her family history and the memories of her ancestors. Unlike Dee, Maggie has a direct, unpretentious connection to the quilts. She has grown up hearing stories about them and has a deep understanding of the labor and love that went into their creation. Her desire to have the quilts is not for display but for use, to continue the tradition of her grandmother and great-grandmother. When Mama gives the quilts to Maggie, it is a recognition of Maggie's genuine understanding and appreciation of their true value – as items that are meant to be used and passed down through generations, carrying the stories within them.
The Symbolism of the Quilts in "Everyday Use"
The quilts in "Everyday Use" are the most potent symbols in the story, representing the tangible manifestations of family history, tradition, and cultural heritage. They are not merely pieces of fabric; they are woven narratives, each stitch and pattern carrying the legacy of generations of women. The story emphasizes the specific origins of these quilts, detailing how they were made from scraps of clothing belonging to various family members, including the grandfather who was a barber and the uncle who was a church deacon. This intricate connection to individual family members imbues the quilts with profound personal meaning.
One particular quilt, made from scraps of her grandmother's wedding dress and her uncle's church suit, is central to the conflict. Dee wants to hang this quilt as a piece of art, a historical artifact to be admired. Maggie, however, understands that its true value lies in its continued use, in being a warm covering, a part of the fabric of their lives, just as it was for her grandmother. This contrast highlights the differing philosophies on heritage: one that seeks to preserve in stasis, and one that embraces continuation through active engagement. The quilts symbolize the living, breathing aspect of heritage that Mama and Maggie embody, in opposition to Dee's desire for an abstract, aestheticized version of the past.
Themes Explored in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"
Heritage and Identity
The overarching theme of "Everyday Use" is the complex interplay between heritage and identity. Alice Walker explores how individuals connect with their past and how this connection shapes who they become. Dee’s transformation into Wangero exemplifies a deliberate effort to reclaim an ancestral identity, but the story questions the authenticity of this reclamation when it becomes performative and disconnected from lived experience. In contrast, Mama and Maggie’s lives are a testament to a heritage that is lived and naturally inherited, rather than adopted. Their identity is intrinsically linked to their family history and their ongoing connection to their community and traditions.
The Meaning of "Everyday Use"
The title itself, "Everyday Use," is a profound statement about the nature of heritage and legacy. It suggests that true appreciation and honor for the past are found not in preserving artifacts as static museum pieces, but in integrating them into the daily lives of people. The story argues that heritage is not something to be put on a shelf, but something to be used, worn, and passed down through active participation and practical application. The quilts, made for warmth and comfort, represent this idea of everyday use, a continuous thread connecting the past to the present and the future. The story posits that by incorporating elements of their heritage into their daily routines, individuals maintain a living connection to their ancestors and their cultural legacy.
Family Relationships and Generational Differences
The narrative also delves into the dynamics of family relationships, particularly the generational differences that can arise from differing life experiences and perspectives. The strained relationship between Dee and her mother and sister is a focal point. Dee's rejection of her family's ways and her perceived intellectual and cultural superiority create a palpable distance. Mama’s struggle to understand and connect with her transformed daughter, and Maggie’s quiet deference, illustrate the challenges of bridging these gaps. The story highlights how different generations interpret and value cultural inheritance, leading to potential misunderstandings and conflicts within the family unit.
Literary Devices and Narrative Techniques in "Everyday Use"
Alice Walker employs several literary devices to effectively convey the themes and characters in "Everyday Use." The story is told from Mama’s first-person perspective, offering a unique and intimate view of the events and her internal thoughts. This narrative choice allows readers to empathize with her grounded perspective and understand her feelings towards Dee’s radical changes and her deep affection for Maggie.
Symbolism and Metaphor
As previously discussed, the quilts serve as powerful symbols of heritage. Beyond the quilts, other elements can be interpreted metaphorically. Mama's physical strength and her desire to "bust the side out of" Dee if necessary, represent the protective instincts and the inherent strength of a mother and a keeper of traditions. The burn scars on Maggie, a physical reminder of past trauma and loss, also symbolize her resilience and her deep-seated connection to the family’s history, which she carries physically and emotionally.
Characterization and Dialogue
Walker's characterization is subtle yet effective. Mama's character is revealed through her actions, her inner monologue, and her understated dialogue. Dee’s character is presented through her dramatic pronouncements, her changed name, and her condescending tone, which immediately establishes her as an outsider to her own family’s established norms. Maggie’s character is conveyed through her quiet demeanor, her nervous fidgeting, and her eventual, understated assertion of her claim to the quilts. The dialogue in "Everyday Use" is particularly revealing, highlighting the contrasting ways the characters communicate and perceive the world, further emphasizing the central conflict over heritage.
Setting as a Reflection of Character
The setting of the story—a humble yard in rural Georgia—plays a crucial role in reflecting the characters' lives and values. The simplicity of the environment contrasts with Dee's perceived sophistication. The presence of the old oak tree, the churn, and the remnants of a comfortable, if simple, domestic life all contribute to the atmosphere and underscore Mama’s connection to her land and her heritage. This grounded setting reinforces the idea that true heritage is found in the enduring aspects of life and family, rather than in superficial adornments or adopted identities.
Frequently Asked Questions About "Everyday Use"
What is the main message of "Everyday Use"?
The main message of "Everyday Use" is that true heritage is not about superficial display or academic preservation, but about living connection, practical use, and the continuation of traditions through personal experience. It emphasizes that valuing one's roots means integrating them into one's life, not divorcing them from it for aesthetic purposes. The story champions a lived heritage over an ornamental one.
Why does Dee change her name?
Dee changes her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo as a way to reject her "slave name" and embrace what she perceives as her African heritage more fully. This act symbolizes her desire for a new identity, one that she believes is more authentic to her cultural roots, as she understands them at that point in her life. Her new name and persona are an outward expression of her intellectual and cultural awakening, though the story questions the depth and authenticity of this transformation.
Who gets the quilts in the end, and why?
In the end, Mama decides that Maggie will have the quilts. She makes this decision because she believes Maggie will truly understand and appreciate their meaning by using them in her everyday life, continuing the legacy of their creation. Mama recognizes that while Dee sees the quilts as art to be admired, Maggie sees them as living links to their family history, to be cherished and used, thus embodying the story's central theme of "everyday use."
What do the quilts symbolize?
The quilts symbolize the tangible connection to family history, ancestry, and cultural legacy. They are imbued with the memories and labor of the women who made them, representing generations of skill, love, and tradition. The conflict over the quilts highlights the differing ways heritage can be understood and valued: as a lived, practical continuation of tradition versus an aestheticized, detached artifact.
What is the significance of the title "Everyday Use"?
The title "Everyday Use" is significant because it underscores the story's central argument that heritage and heirlooms are most truly honored when they are part of daily life. It suggests that practical application, continued use, and passing down traditions through lived experience are more meaningful than mere display or collection. The quilts, intended for warmth and comfort, embody this concept of being integrated into the fabric of everyday living.
