RR:"EverydayUse"
MySister,MyEnemy
Oftensiblingsarebroughtupinthesameenvironmentandturnoutcompletelydifferent.Thisisthe caseinAliceWalkers,"EverydayUse".Althoughtwosisters,MaggieandDee,areraisedbythe samewomanandinthesamehome,theirsimilaritiesendhere.Botharedifferentintheir appearance,personalities,andideasaboutfamilyheritageEachhavingopposingviewsonvalue andworthofthevariousitemsintheirlives.Walkerusesthisconflicttomakethepointthattheuse ofanobjectandofpeople,ismoreimportantthanstyle.
Asthestorybegins,Walkerintroduces"Mama".She,thenarratorofthestory,describesherselfasa "large,big–bonedwomanwithrough,manworkinghands"showmorecontent
Beforehernamechange,shefrownedontheitemsinherhomebecauseoftheirlackofbeautyand style.However,whenshebecomesWangero,shenowseesthesameitems,suchasadasherand butterchurn,aspartofherfamilyheritageSheinsistsontakingtheseitemsbecausesheplanstouse thechurntopasa"centerpieceforthealcovetable"(359).Sadly,shefailstoconsiderthatsheis takingawayhermothersbutterchurn,ausefulitem,forselfishuseinstead.
UnlikeDee,Walker'sdescriptionofMaggieisseenasanunattractiveandawkwardgirl.Hermother notes"goodlookspassedherby"(355)Furthermore,shecarriesherselfwithlowself–esteem,"chin onchest,eyesonground"(355).Besidesherappearance,whenMaggieisfirstintroducedinthe story,Mamapointsoutthatsheisnervousabouthersister'svisitand"willstandhopelesslyin corners,homelyandashamedoftheburnscarsdownherarmsandlegs,eyeinghersisterwitha mixtureofenvyandawe"(355).
However,theonethingbothsistershaveincommonarethefamilyquilts.Thesequiltsaredescribed byMamaasbeingmadefromfamilymemberswhohavepassed,whichenhancetheirvalue.Maggie valuesthequiltsbecauseshelearnedtoquiltfromhergrandmotherandauntShehintsthatshesees thequiltasareminderofthemwhenshementions,"Ican't'memberGrandmaDeewithoutthe quilts"(360).Dee,
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AliceWalker'sshortstory,"EverydayUse,"reflectstheintimatestrugglewithinapoorAfrican Americanfamilyastheyrunupagainstmonumentalissuesofhistory,heritage,andfamilyvalues.
DeeinAliceWalker'sstory,"EverydayUse,"isstrugglingtofindherplaceintheworldandwho sheisThisstoryreflectsatransitionalperiodinherlifewheretraditionandheritagemeetanew contemporaryreality.Deewasraisedamongthepoorandignorant,andresentedit.Shebelieved thatshewascutfromadifferentcloth,andthusherenvironmentwouldn'tdictateherplaceinlife. AndsoseeminglyoutofaprofoundembarrassmentDeewasdriventobreakthemoldofhistoryby tirelesslydifferentiatingherselfwherevershe...showmorecontent...
Theitemsinthehousenowbecomepricelessantiquesasopposedtowornoututilities.Thebenches herfathermade,completewithrumpprints,suddenlybearssomehighertruthandisnowof personalworth.Thechurntopisprizedaswell,foritisafamilyrelic,andassuchwouldmakea beautifulcenterpieceNext,Deeprizesthequiltsthataremadefromvarioussentimentalpiecesof fabric,aliteralpatchworkoffamilyhistory.Shewillhangthem,astheyaretoosymbolictoactually use.DeebelievesthesepiecestelloftheplightoftheAfricanAmerican,notofherownupbringing, whichshewouldhappilyforget.Soitisinthenatureofhermetamorphosisthatistrulytelling.The readerbeginstounderstandthatwithinDee'stransformationthereliesanausteredisconnect.Indeed, sheisproudofhernewfoundenlightenmentandheadyliberation;shehasfoundherself,orhasshe? Really,theonlythingshehasfoundisthatwhichshesought,somethingdifferent.Indetachingfrom theoldshehaslostsomethingveryvaluable,hertruerootedandpersonalheritage,andgainedvery littleinreturnTheironyofcourseisthattheheritageDeenowprizesandextolsintheabstractis thesamethatsheturnedherbackonintheliteral.Educationhastaughtherofherhistory,butnot herheritage.Deehascometoappreciateherownloftiness,relegatingher
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EverydayUse
Whenwemeetournarrator,themotherofMaggieandDee,sheiswaitingintheyardwithMaggie forDeetovisit.Themothertakessimplepleasureinsuchapleasantplacewhere,"anyonecancome backandlookupattheelmtreeandwaitforthebreezesthatnevercomeinsidethehouse"(Walker 383)Thisisherbasicattitude,thesimpleeverydaypleasuresthathavenothingtodowithgreat ideas,culturalheritageorfamilyorracialhistories.Shelaterrevealstousthatsheisevenmorethe roughruralwomansinceshe,"cankillandcleanahogasmercilesslyasaman"(Walker383) Hardlyawomanonewouldexpecttohavemuchpatiencewithhanginghistoricalquiltsonawall.
DaughterMaggieisverymuchtheshowmorecontent
OneofthequiltshasatinypieceofblueclothfromGreatGrandpaEzra'sCivilWaruniform. MotheroffersDeetwootherquiltsinsteadbecausetheonesDeewantsarepromisedtoMaggiefor whenMaggiemarries,butDeewon'tsettleforthosesincetheotherquiltsarenotasoldandarenot entirelyhandmade.Maggieevenvolunteerstogiveupherclaimonthequilts,butMotherrefusesto allowthat.
JustbeforeDeeleaves,shetellshermother,"Youjustdon'tunderstand...yourheritage."(Walker 389)
AfterDeedrivesaway,MotherandMaggieremainedintheyard,"justenjoying,untilitwastimeto gointhehouseandgotobed"(Walker389)
TheessentialquestionbeingexploredbyAliceWalkeristheconflictbetweensomeonewhohas recently"discovered"herfamilyandracialheritageandwantstopreserveitssymbols(Dee)and someonewhohaslivedintimatelywiththose"symbols"intheirutilitariansense(Momma).Deehas lefttheoldruralhomesteadandits"backward"waysbehindherIndeed,whenshefirstleftfor school,MommaofferedDeeoneoftheoldquiltsthatDeenowcovets,butDeerefusedbecause "theywereoldfashioned,outofstyle."(Walker388)Now,Deereturnshomelookingforheritage treasureswhichshehopestorescuefrombeingusedandwornoutorbeingleftinthebottomofa trunk.ThisallringstruewithheradoptinghernewAfricannameandhermalecompanionwho sportssimilarattributesThisstorywas
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Thestory'EverydayUse',writtenbyAliceWalker,isastoryofheritage,pride,andlearningwhat kindofpersonyoureallyare.Intheexposition,thestoryopenswithbackgroundinformationabout DeeandMaggie'slife,whichisbeingtoldbyMama.ThereaderlearnsthatDeewasthetypeof childthathadreceivedeverythingthatshewanted,whileMaggiewasthecompleteopposite.The crisis,whichoccurslaterinthestory,happenswhenDeeallofasuddencomeshomeadifferent personthanshewaswhensheleft.DuringtheClimax,Mamarealizesthatshehasoftenneglected herotherchild,Maggie,byalwaysgivingDeewhatshewants.Therefore,intheresolution,Mama defendsMaggiebytellingDeethatshecannothavetheshowmorecontent
Mamacouldbedefinedasaroundcharacterinthestorybecauseofthechangesheundergoesatthe end.Mama?sgoesthroughadramaticchangeinthestorywhenshegetsupthenervetotellher aggressive,non–hesitantdaughter?No?,andgivesherotherdaughterMaggie,whohasoftenbeen onthebadendofthings,thehouseholditemsforhermarriage.
Deecouldprobablybeconsideredamaincharacterinthestory,butherchangewastoosimple, becauseshechangedontheoutsideonly,andbecauseshedidn?tchangeonthedaythatthestory occured.Mamastated?WhenIlookedatherlikethatsomethinghitmeinthetopofmyheadand randowntothesoulsofmyfeet.JustlikewhenI?minchurchandthespiritofGodtouchesmeand Igethappyandshout?(94)Maggiedidnothavealotofinputinthestoryalthoughshedidchange alittle,bothwereflatcharacters.Mamaisamorein–depthcharacterthanDeeandMaggiebecause thereaderisgivenverydescriptiveattributesofherphysicallyandmentally.Deedidnotwantto quilttorememberherheritageby,butinsteadtohangituponthewalllikesomesortoftrophyto showotherswhereshehascomefrom.Shelovesherfamilyverymuch,butisashamedofthe surroundingsshegrewupin.Overall,Mama?schangehadabigimpactonthestoryduetothefact thatshewentfromawomanwhohadlowselfesteemandwasscaredto
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WalkerentertainsAfricanAmericansandAmericansabouttherelationshipbetweenthesetwo sistersandtheirmother.OnedaughterisnamedMaggieandshestaysathomewithhermotherand helpherwiththechoresaroundthehouse.Shewasalsoburntinahousefiresoshedoesnothetout much."Mamma",hasanotherdaughter,Dee.Deeisverybeautiful,andoutgoingandreally completelyoppositeofMaggieDeeleaveshomeandexperiencelifeforherown,andbecomesa problackperson.WhenDeecomesbackshewantsthingsfromherehousetotreatthemasartifacts atherownhome.Especiallythisquilt.Deewantedit,butthemotherwouldn'tallowit.Shewanted MaggietohaveitMaggiekeptthisquiltandDeeleft,butnotwithouttalking
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AliceWalker's"EverydayUse"
Inthestory"EverydayUse"thenarratoristellingastoryaboutherlifeandtwodaughters,whoare namedDeeandMaggie.Thenarratorisverystrongwilled,honest,compassionateandvery concernedwiththelivesofhertwodaughtersHerdaughterDeeisnotcontentwithherlifestyleand makesithardonMaggieandthenarrator.Thenarratoristryingtoprovideforherfamilythebest wayshecan.ThenarratorisaloneinraisingthetwodaughtersandlatersendsherdaughterDeeto collegeThelongerthestorygoesonthemorethenarratorshowshowintelligentandhowmuchshe loveshertwodaughters.
Mamawhoisthenarratorisawomanwhocandoanychorethatamancan,becauseofshowmore content...
MamaisalsoveryobservantbecausewhenherdaughterDeecomesandvisits,DeetellsMamathat shechangedhernametoWangeroLeewanikaKemanjo.ThismakesMamafeelthatherdaughteris runningfromherheritage.SowhenDeeasksforsomequiltsthathavebeeninthefamilyforyears, Mamatellsher,"No,theyareforMaggie".ThissaystomethatMamaisveryquicktodrawasfar astheactionsofherdaughter.ShenoticesthatDeechangedhernameandabandonedherheritage. MamatellsDeethathernamecamefromhergrandmammaMamaisveryunderstandingalso, becausesheisn'tmadatDeeforchanginghername,andjusttellsherthatshecan'thavethequilts.
Mamawasaveryinterestingtomeinthisstory,becausesheissomanlyinthestory"Icankilland cleanahogasmercilesslyasaman",shesaysinthestory.Mamaisalsoawarethatsheisnotthe brightestwoman,becauseshesaysthatshedidn'tgoanyfurtherthenthesecondgrade.Ilovehow honestsheiswithherself.Likewhenshetalksaboutneverbeingabletoholdatune.Mostpeople wouldlietotheirselfandmakeitsoundliketheycouldsingiftheywantedto.Mamaisalsoa dreamer,attimesbecauseshereferstothingsthewaythattheywereLikewhenshereferstoher educationandthehousethattheyusetohave.Theyhadahousebeforebuttherewasafire.Mama alsohassomehumortoher,"Whydon't
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TheMeaningof"EverydayUse"withCharacterizationAnalyzingcharacterizationisthekeytofind fiction'scontrollingideaandcentralinsight––theme.Directpresentation––onecharacterdescription technique––usuallydirectlyshowswhatcharactersarelikebyexposition,analysis,oranother character'sdescription.Theotherwaytoshapecharactersistousetheindirectpresentationby describingtheiractionsandleavingroomforreaderstodeveloptheirownideasaboutthe characters"EverydayUse"byAliceWalkerisashortstorythatexpressestheconflictsbetween people'sdifferentattitudesandvaluesofheritage.Thisstoryisadramaticstory,butonethatuses first–personpointofviewtonarratethestory,whichgives...showmorecontent...
Thisprocessisaboutabstractingtheheritageobjectively.OnlywiththisprocesscanDeeunderstand thattheessencesofalltheheritagesareallaboutthespiritsandbehaviorsofspecificgroupina certainera,withoutattachinganydifferencesbetweenhighandlowTherefore,Dee'scharacterand behavioralsoreflectthatherthinkingofheritageisobjective–oriented.Maggie'sviewofheritage, onthecontrary,canbeknownassubjective–orientedinthisstorybybothindirectanddirect presentationsReaderscananalyzeMaggie'sbehaviorsandMama'sdescriptionsaboutherto understandthatsheattemptstoconsiderheritageasemotionalsustenanceandvalue,andcanbe passedonbyputtingitintoeverydayusewithself–experiencingWhenMaggietriestogivethe quilttoDee,shesaysthat"'IcanrememberGrandmaDeewithoutthequilts'"(115).Thisnarration ofMaggieshouldberegardedasanindirectpresentationbecausereadersneedtojudgeherby thinkingofheractionofspeakingThisindirectpresentationclearlyshowsMaggie'sviewof heritage.AstheviewofMaggie,thefunctionofthequiltistoremindherabouthergrandmother. MaggieplaceshermissingofGrandmaintothequiltspecifically,andkeepsittobeheremotional sustenance.Manypiecesofmemorywillberemindedwhensheseesthisemotionalsustenance,thus shewillgetspiritualsolaces.In
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"EverydayUse"isatimelessshortstorytoldmyAliceWalker.Therearethreemaincharactersthat areapparentthroughoutthestory;thesecharactersareMama,Maggie,andDee.Deeisthecharacter thatWalkerusestoportraytherealworldatthetimethatthestorywasset.Rightfromthestart,the audiencegetsthesenseoftheselfishandcondescendingnaturethatDeeholds.Thesecond paragraphsetstheperfectupfrontpictureofDeebysaying"Shethinkshersisterhasheldlife alwaysinthepalmofonehand,that"no"isawordtheworldneverlearnedtosaytoher."(1)Dee representstherolethatraceplaysinshapingidentitythroughtheideaofblackpride,thephysical description,andthroughtheselfishattitudethatDeehasThestorytakesplaceinthe1970'swhich happenstobewhenamomentalpieceoftimewhenitcomestoAfricanAmericanrights.TheBlack PowermovementwasoccurringduringthistimeandDeeperfectlydepictsthepersonaof"black pride."DeethinksthatsheisbetterthanMaggieandherMama,thismindsetstartedonceshe learnedtoreadandwouldreadtothem"withoutpity."(2)ThisideathatDeeembracedwhenshe camehometovisitwastheideathatblackswerenotinferiortowhitesanymore,showmore content...
Thiswasanideathatmanyinthe"BlackPantherParty"forexampleheldasatruestatement.Dee believedthatshewasentitledtoalotofthethingsinthehousehold.Walkerusesthischaracteristic toshowmoreindepththemindsetDeehadofblackentitlement.Towardstheendofthestory,the narratordescribesDeeasputting"onsunglassesthathideverythingabovethetipofhernoseand chin."(10)ThisonestatementsumsuphowstuckupDeereallyis.Itshowshowshethinkssheis superiortoeveryonearound,especiallyMaggieandMama.Deeissofocusedonmakingsureher AfricanAmericanheritagegetsrespectedthatshefailstorespectthepeopleclosestto ...Getmorecontent...
Mothervs.DaughterIntheshortstorycalled"EverydayUse,"byAliceWalker,themother daughterconflictthemeisportrayedthroughoutthewholestory.TheoldestdaughterDeeconstantly believesthatsheisbetterthantherestofthefamilycausingafamilyfeudaboutwhogetsthe cherishedquilt.Deehasalwaysbeenonapedestaloverherfamilyandshesoonfindsoutthatitis nolongerthecaseOnceshefindsthisoutconflictarisesThebiggestconflictliesbetweenMama andDee.ThisisclearlyillustratedbyDee'shighstandards,selfishbehavior,andlackofknowledge aboutherfamily'sheritage.Deesetsimpossiblestandardsforhermother,causingMamatofeel inferiorDeeforcesMamatobethewayDeewouldshowmorecontent
InDee'seyesthepasturethatherMamalivesinisnotcomparabletoherfastpacehighstyleworld. Thiscausedhertonotevenbringherfriendsovertotheirhouse(Walker290).Herfriendsevenput heronapedestal,justlikeMama."Theywerenervousgirlswhoneverlaughed.Theywere impressedwithDeetheyworshipedthewell–turnedphrase,thecuteshape,andscaldinghumorthat eruptedlikebubblesinlye"(Walker290)ThisdescriptionofhowDee'sfriendsviewheristoldby Mama.ThisisanotherexampleofhowMamaputsDeeonanunneededpedestal.Shedescribesher assomekindofGodthatherfriendsworship.Inreality,itisMamaworshippingDee.Dee's selfishnessisalsoportrayedbyherculturedverbalskills.Deecantalkherwaythroughanything. Deeoftenmanipulatesotherswithherverbalskills.Thisisshownwhenshereadstohermotherand sister"withoutpity;forcingwords,lies,otherfolks'habits,wholelivesuponus,sittingtrappedand ignorantunderneathhervoice"(Walker289).ThisstatementfurtherdemonstratesthefactthatDee's familyfeelsinferiortoher.MamadescribesthesituationasifDeehassomekindofpoweroverher familybecausesheisscholarlyandherfamilyisnotDeeuseshereducationtomakeMamaand Maggiefeellessimportantwithout,necessarilymeaningto.Critic,NancyTutenbelievesthatMama doesnotlikethefactthatDeebossesherandMaggiearound.
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Deereallyhappywithherfamilyandtheirheritage.AsIreadthisstory,itremindedmeofoneof myclosefriends.Shehasmoreofabondwithmyfamily,thanwhatshehaswithher's.Sheisinto sports,lovestodance,listentoallmusic,andtalksuntilyourearsfalloffWhileherfamilyistimid andnotreallyintoanythingbutthemselves.Shealwaysthinkofherselfastheblacksheep,butI remindherthatthereisnothingwrongwithherbeingdifferent.Noonewillloveyoulessifyouare justyourself,andiftheydotheyaren'tsupposetobeinyourlifeInthestory"EverydayUse", everyonewaitsforDee'sarrivaltohome,butgetsthisrudeawakeningthatsheishascomeback different.DeechangeshernametoWangero.whilesheistheresheactsthe...showmorecontent... Mostpeopledon'tliketohearorreadanythingfrompeopleontheoutsidelookinginorshouldisay frompeoplewhoarenotgoingthroughit.Itisamuchstrongermeaningwhenyouhearorread somethingfromthepersonthesituationactuallyhappenedtoMamastated,"WhenIlookedather likethatsomethinghitmeinthetopofmyheadandrandowntothesolesofmyfeet."Thisfeeling canonlycomefromapersongoingthroughthesituation.MamawassoupsetwithDeeatthis momentShereallyjustwantstomakesurethatMaggieisokWalkerhasthesymbolofaquiltto explaintheheritage.Symbolscanbemultiplethings.Theycanalsomeandifferentthings.Asymbol issomethingyoumaythinkisatokenMamastated,"TheyhadbeenpiecedbyGrandmaDeeand thenBigDeeandmehadhungthemonthequiltframesonthefrontporchandquiltedthem."This showsthatthequiltwassomethingveryimportanttomama.So,shedefinitelydidnotwanttogive ittoDeewhosheknewwouldnotappreciateitshewouldrathergivethemtoMaggiebecauseshe knowtheywouldbewilltakencareofand
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Use
(LiteraryanalysisonEverydayUsebyAliceWalker)Everydaymanypeopleusethesamethings suchasphones,cars,sinks,washer,refrigerators,andetcIn100yearswouldyoucanfuture ancestorsstillhavethosethingsbutonlyusethemasdecorationorusethemstillnomatterhowold theyarebecausethatiswhattheyaremadefor?EverydayUsebyAlicewalkerisastoryofan AfricanAmericanfamilythathadtwodaughterthatliveaverydifferentrealityMaggiebeing scarredfromahousefirewhenshewasjustalittlegirl,madeherereallyshyandlostalotof confidence.Deetheoldsisterwasconsideredveryprettyandtriedtoescapeanythingtherelatedher backtoherpoorfamily,shewasashamedtobepoor.Moweshowmorecontent
Siblingrivalryisn'tjustconflictbetweeneachotherbutalsostabilityinadultlife.Competitionto seewhohasabetterlifeandpositionintheworldUndoubtedly,siblingrivalryisamessageinthe storybetweenMaggieandDee.AnothermessageinEverydayUseistheacceptanceofcultureand familyhistory.Maggielivesstillinpovertyandherlifeverymuchdisplayshercultureandsheis proudofwhereshecamefromDeeontheotherhandrefusestoclaimhercultureandinsteadlooks downuponanyonewhosupportsit.Thestorystates,"NoMama,shesays,NotDee,'Wangero LeewanikaKemanjo"(Page1316)Deedeniedhercultureanddecidetochangehernameto Wangerobecauseshedidn'twanttobenameaftertheoppressors.Hermomrespondwithsaysshe wasnameafterthem,butwasnameafterherauntDicie.Stillsherefusedthenamewantingtobe calledWangeroWhileontheotherhanderyoungersisterMaggiedidn'tunderstandwhyDee wouldchangehernametosuchaweirdEasternname.Maggiesawthisasdegradingtotheculture herancestorslivedthrough.AnonlinearticlebyBehreandtsays,"Confederatehistory,specifically, thenotionthatthe"traitorous"Southrebelledtoprotecttheodiousinstitutionofslavery".Slaveryin thehistoryoftheirfamilyisabigreasonwhyDeedoesn'twanttoacceptanypartofit.Obviously, theacceptanceofcultureplaysahugemessageinthestory
Equallyimportantisthe ...Getmorecontent...
AnaSuastegui
JulieNewton
07July7,2015
CompositionII
EverydayUseByAliceWalker
TheshortstoryEverydayUsebyAliceWalkerseemsthatAliceispresentingDeeasthisattractive young,lightskinnedwomanbutinrealitysheisasbitterascanbe.Deecomeshomeoutofrandom withanunknownmanandhasanewidentityofsomesortforhercultureofAfricanAmericans,and forthemomandotherdaughteritseemstobequiteodd.ByshowingthisAliceWalkerisshowing thetensionbetweenAfricanswhohaveleftthevillageto"become"somethingandthosethatare stilloldfashionandcontinuetoliveinthesouthernareas.
ThedayDeecomeshomeherlittlesisterseemsafraidandshyofher.Maggieisalwayswithher mothersoshefeelsasenseofbondagewithmamabutyetseemstolookatDeewithsuchjealousy andawe.InthestoryMamarecalledamomentwhereMaggiehadsaidDeewasgiftedwithaneasy life,andshewasrarelyfrustrated.AlthoughMaggiedoesn'tquitefindthewordstoevertalkabout howshetrulyfeelsandfindsthingsunfair,shefeelsshehastakenallthedifficultiesontoher shoulders.WhenMaggietriestoshowhertruefeelingsisthemomentDeetriestosnatchthequilts thatMamahadpromisedtoMaggieShebecomesenragedshowmorecontent
WhenDeearriveswithnoknowledgeaboutherheritage,itshowsthatthebondamongstthefamily canbeeasilybroken.Deeclearlydoesn'tunderstandthatthequiltsarepiecesoflivinghistoryand shejustwantstouseitforhousedécorThequiltsserveaslivinghistoryandproofofhowthewar andpovertyeffectedtheirfamilyhadfaced.Mamavaluestheseitemsandinsteadofherreceiving financialcompensationshereceivedthequiltsandforhershebelievesthatDeewouldn'tbeableto understandthevalueofthemasmuchasMaggie
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Itwasabrightsunnydaytheskywasasoftshadeofblueandtherewasaslightbreezeintheair. MaandMaggiesaytheirfarewellstoDee(Wangero).Deeenterstheoldaqua1950crestliner,the car'senginerevvedtolifeandwhirredpastandspeddowntheroad.Ordinarily,inthebackground, Maggiepaintsarayofsunshinealloverherface,atlast,shefeelsvalidated."Comeon,let'sgo inside"saysMa"HuhhhhokayMama,"repliedMaggieAssoonastheyenteredthehouse,the silenceinthehousewasaspureasthewintryblanketoutside;itcaressedMaggie'sskinlikeacool summerbreeze,smoothinghersoul,takingawayherjaggededges.Mawentbacktoherroomto finditinshambles,theclothesstrewnalloverthefloorDee
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Intheshortstory,EverydayUse,theauthor,AliceWalker,developsandtransformstheattitudeof theprotagonist,Mama,adjustingthewaysheviewshertwodaughters,MaggieandDee.Asoneof themostsignificantcharactersinthestory,Mamasetstheperspectiveandpointofviewforthe readersbecauseofherimportantroleasthenarrator.Theplotlineofthestoryrevolvesaroundthe returnofMama'seldestdaughter,Dee,assheiscominghomefromcollegeinthecityInthe beginningofthestory,WalkergivesthereadersthestrongimpressionthatMamaharborsaspecial partialityforhereldestdaughter,andafeelingofshameforheryoungest,Maggie.Butasthestory worksitswaytothepeak,andeventuallycomestoitsshowmorecontent MamaevenhasafantasyaboutbeingreunitedwithhereldestdaughterontheJohnnyRossShow, astheyembraceandweepineachother'sarmsbecauseDeeisagirlwhohasfinally"madeit" (Walkerpar3).Through–outthebeginningofthestory,Mamasingsherdaughterspraises,speaking ofhereducationandherbeauty.ShecomparesDeeagainstheryoungersisterMaggie,"Deeis lighterthanMaggie,withnicerhairandafullerfigure"(Walkerpar10),butherpraisesremainonly onsuperficialgoodqualitiesthatDeepossesses.AlthoughMamaspeakshighlyofherdaughter,the tonethatWalkerwritesMama'sattitudegivesthereaderanunderstandingthatMamawasslightly resentfultowardherdaughter,andhadhardfeelingsforDee'smaterialisticloveforthefinerthings inlife."Deewantednicethings...OftenIfoughtoffthetemptationtoshakeher"(Walkerpar12). MamaalsomentionsDee'shatefulnesstowardthefamilyhome,andevenhadhersuspicionsof Dee'shatredforMaggie(Walkerpar11),whichhintstothereadersthatDee'sdeepercharacter flawsdonotgounnoticedbyMama.ThroughMama'svoice,WalkerdescribesMaggietobethe completeoppositeineverythingthatheroldersisterisIncontrasttotheconfidentpersonalitythat heroldersisterattains,Mamasays,"[Maggie]hasbeenlikethis,chin
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Generalstatement:
Mamaunderstandsthepastandthesignificanceofafamilyheritage.Herheritageincludingher memoriesofhermotherandgrandmamakingquiltstogetherbyhands.
Topicsentence:
AliceWalker's"EverydayUse"introducesaclashbetweengenerations.Nowandthen,Maggieand Dee.
ThesisStatement:
AliceWalkercarefullyportraysthethreecharacters:Themother,Dee.AndMaggie
BodyA,Mama:
ThecharacterofMamaintheshortstory"EverydayUse"byAliceWalkerenduresthroughintense timesandtakesadvantageofwhatshehas.Sheisaladythattellsthingshowtheyare,onlyplain truth.Shecanbeentertainingnowandagainandintenseatothers.Sheisself–portrayedas"alarge, hugeboned,womenwithrough,man–workingshowmorecontent
Thewaytheburninghouse,herstuck–upsister,andsocietyinfluencedMaggiemakeheruniquein relationtoothersMaggiewassodamagedfromherhomeburningdownthatsheturnedintoameek andundervaluedyounglady.Maggieissounsurethathermothersaysshewalkslikeadogrunover byacar:"chinonchesteyesonground,feetinshuffle,eversincethefirethatburnedtheother houseontheground"ThisdemonstratesthatMaggieabsenceofself–confidencemakeher frightenedtolook.Sheimaginesthatontheoffchancethatshecan'tseetheindividualsaroundher, thentheycan'tseeher.What'smore,Maggie'sdiscerniblescarshaveimpactedonthewayshe conductsherself.AsindicatedbyMama,whenshewaspullingMaggieoutofthefire,herarms wereadhering,"herhairwassmoking,andherdresswastumblingoffherinminimaldarkpapery pieces"Thisishugelightofthefactthatindicateshowmuchtheflamereallyphysicallyscarred her.Thisadditionallyclarifieswhysheissoapprehensiveaboutindividualsseeingher.Maggie's apparentcompressedversionofconfirmationinherselfiscreatedbasicallybythefire.Thebarbaric wayMaggie'ssister,Dee,presentsherselfawfulimpactonMaggie'scertainlyAtthispointwhen DeeinquiredastowhethershecanhavesomeuniquequiltsandMamasaysnoonthegroundsthat she
Namejuanmejia
Date12/15
Period2
Essay1"EverydayUse":ExplainthemeaningofthetitleinthecontextofthestoryInotherwords, you'llbeexplainingthetheme.
Inthestory''Everydayuse''wearebroughttounderstandthattherearetwosistersnamedMaggie andDeealongwiththeirmotherasthenarrator.Inthestorythenarratordescribeseachcharacterin depththroughoutthestoryforexampleinthebeginningmaggieisshowntousasashygirlwith burnsonherarmandthatalwaysstaysinthecornerofroomawayfromeveryoneelseanddeeher sisterisshowntousasapersonwhodoesn'tknowwhatnoisandthathasalwaysbeenthebetter daughterandthatshelookdownonherfamilyforlivingthewaytheydidandlooked
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SarahBenesh Dr.SusanDauer
English1102
2Febuary2011Analyzationof"EverydayUse"byAliceWalkerIn1972,AliceWalkerpublished "EverydayUse"inacollectionofshortstoriesInLoveandTrouble:StoriesofBlackwomenAs betterknown"EverydayUse"stoodoutofthecollection,ithasbecomeoneoffewshortstories abouttheconflictblackAmericansfacedaftertheCivilRightsMovement;Thestruggletomaintain traditions,whilstembracingnew–foundfreedom,andwherethetwoworldscollidedDiscussingthe reoccurringthemes,symbolsandmotifsthroughthenarrator'sperception,andactionswillrevealif thecharacter,andultimatelythereaderhimselfhasgrownorremainedstaticinaffectoftheconflict.
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ThisupsetstheNarrator,Mama,shemakesreferencetoMaggiebeingabletoputthemtoeveryday use,andshecanalwaysquiltmore;whileDeeadamantlyprotestsMamamakesamovetorecover thequiltsandDeepullsthemawayandMamathinkstoherself"Theyalreadybelongedtoher" (Walker456).InMama'sperspective,thepointofthequiltswasthetraditionofquilting,notthe quiltsthemselves.SheviewsDeeassomeonetowantstoactoutthemovementsofappreciationof theirculture,insteadofpassingiton.IntheactofretrievingthequiltsfromDee'sgrip,andreturning themtoMaggie,Mamarevealsherselfasanunknowing,roundcharacterthatcanre–actdifferently thanwhatisexpectedofher.Mamastandsupforthetruetraditionsinthefaceofherdaughter, althoughherdaughterbelievesherselftobetheallknowingone.Aswellasthethemeofoldblack worldversesnew,wecomeacrossthemotifofnamesandre–namingwithintheshortstoryJustas DeecomeshomedressedinAfricanstyledclothing,shere–namesherself"WangeroLeewanika Kemanjo"torepresentherfulltransformationintoatrueAfricanwoman.Herboyfriend'sname "Hakim.a.barber"alsohintstothefactthathealsotookuptheMuslimfaithinanattemptofreform.
MamamakesanefforttoeducateDeeonhername;howitwaspassedthroughgenerationsand holdsvalueinitselfDeedismissesthisfact,anditrevealsDeesignoranceofthelineageofstrong womenshewasborn
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Thestory"EverydayUses"beginswithaMothertalkingaboutherdaughters,MaggieandDee.Dee isoutgoing,beautiful,andjudgmental;shesearchesforthingsthatmaygiveherlifepurpose. FamilyvaluesareofverylittleimportancetoDee.Shefindshersignificancemoreinher appearancethaninendearmenttothepeopleofwithwhomshehassharedherlife,duetoher insecuritiesThen,thereisherlittlesisterMaggie,asmall,shygirl,whohaslargeinsecuritiesdueto herappearance.Shealsowalkswithalimp,duetoafirethatoccurredatheroldhousewhenshe wasyounger.Maggiemaylackexternalbeautybut,shehasinternalbeauty;acaringheartandshe lovesherMotherThelovethatMaggiehasforhermomisinsharpshowmorecontent Ineverywayshapeandform,youwouldthinkthattheywerenothingalikeunlessyoulookedat theirhearts.Byappearance,theyaredifferent.Deeisbeautifulandverymuchintofashion,unlike hersisterwhoissaidtobeunattractive.Theirlevelofeducationlevelsaredifferent.Deewasableto gototheAugustaschoolafterhermotherraisedthemoney,whereasMaggiehasverylittle educationTheirpersonalitiesareaworldapartDeeisoutgoing,spunky,andnotafraidtosaywhat sheisthinking.Maggieisshyandjealousofhersister,butshehasagenerousheart.Allthoughthe sistersaredifferent,theirinsecuritieslinkthemtogetherinauniqueway.InconclusionIcansayin AliceWalker'sstory"EverydayUses,"thetwosistersDeeandMaggiedifferinappearance, education,andattitude,buttheybothhavedeepdown
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EverydayUsebyAliceWalker
In"EverydayUse,"AliceWalkerstressestheimportanceofheritage.Sheemploysvariouswaysto revealmanyaspectsofheritagethatareotherwisehardtobenoticed.
Inthestory,sheintroducestwosisterswithalmostoppositepersonalitiesanddifferentviewson heritage:MaggieandDee.Sheusesthecontrastbetweenthetwosisterstoshowhowoneshould acceptandpreserveone'sheritage.Beyondthecontrastbetweentwosistersthereexistthejudge figuremom,thenarratorandtheDee'sironyTheironyonDee'sopinionisthekeytounderstand thestoryandwhythemotherletMaggiekeepthequilts,whichsymbolizetheheritage.
ThetwosistersinthecontrastofAliceWalker's"Everydayshowmorecontent
Asthetwosistershavedifferentappearanceandpersonalities,theyhavedifferentperspectiveson heritagethatcontrasteachotherWalkerusesquiltstosymbolizetheheritageanddescribesthetwo girls'viewonquiltstoshowtheirperspectivesonheritage.Maggiethinksofheritageasan attachmenttoherancestors.Shebelievestheeverydayuseoftheinheritedmaterials,howmuchever valuetheymayretain,willkeepherconnectedtoherancestors.Shevaluestheattachmenttothe ancestorsmorethantheinheritedmaterialitself.WhenshegivesupthequiltstoDee,shestates,"I can'memberGrandmaDeewiththequilts"Dee,ontheotherhand,thinksofheritageassomething thathasanextrinsicvalue,forexampleitsaestheticvalueasanantique.Shebelievesthattheproper waytoacceptandpreserveherheritageistonotputitintohereverydayusebuttocherishitonlyas anaccessorySuchanideaisrevealedwhenDeesays,"Maggiecan'tappreciatethesequilts!She'd probablybebackwardenoughtoputthemtoeverydayuse."WhenthemotherasksDeewhatshe woulddowiththequilts,shesays,"Hangthem"(1177),whichshowsthatDeethinksofthequilts onlyastangibleantiques.
Whilethetwosistersperspectivesonheritagecontrasteachother,Walkeremploysacaseof dramaticironytoprovethatDee'sperspectiveiswrong,whichautomaticallyprovesthatMaggieis right,consideringtheiroppositecharacteristics.Dee
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Deehasaverynegativeattitudetowardsherpastwayoflivingandembraceshernewlife.Sheis alsoveryoutspokenwhile,Maggieisshyandreserved.Thedifferencethatstuckoutthemostwas howeachchildplannedonusingthequilts.Deewantedtohangthemupandusethemfor decorativepurposes,whileitisassumedthatMaggiewillusethempracticallyasablanket."Noisa wordtheworldneverlearnedtosayto[Dee],"thereforeDeefeelsentitledtothequiltsHaving livedinOhioforquitesometime,IlearnedabitaboutAmishcultureandthishassomeelementsof whentheAmishleavetotryouttheAmericanwayoflife.Inthiscase,Deewouldhavechosenthe Americanwayoflife,andwouldthenbeexiledfromtheAmishcommunityshowmorecontent AttimesitseemsthatMaggieresentshersister.OnequoteinparticularexpresseshowMaggiefeels aroundhersister,"Maggiewillbenervousuntilafterhersistergoes:shewillstandhopelesslyin corners,homelyandashamedoftheburnscarsdownherarmsandlegs,eyeinghersisterwitha mixtureofenvyandawe.Shethinkshersisterhasheldlifealwaysinthepalmofonehand,that "no"isawordtheworldneverlearnedtosaytoher"IwouldsaythatMaggiehasdevelopedan inferioritycomplexthatshecontinuestostrugglewith.However,theirmotherassertingherselfand givingthequiltstoMaggie,lessenstheburdenthatMaggiecarriesandendsupsmilingatDeeatthe endofthestory.DeetriestoencourageMaggiebysaying"Yououghttotrytomakesomethingof yourself,too,Maggie.It'sreallyanewdayforus.ButfromthewayyouandMamastillliveyou'd neverknowit"
Frombeginningtoend,bothMaggieandDeemakehugechangesintheirdemeanors.Deegoes frombeingbitterandself–centeredtobeingcaringandunderstanding.TherevelationforMaggieis whenhermotherchoosestogivethequiltstoherinsteadofhersisterAfterthatshegoesfrom beingshytocrackingsmilebythe ...Getmorecontent...