Every Day Use
In Alice Walker's story Everyday Use the two sisters, Maggie and Dee are foils or opposites. They have nothing in common except that they have the same mother. They have many opposite characteristics through out the story and one major opposing viewpoint that contributes to the meaning of this story and its theme. The central theme of the story concerns the way in which an individual understands his present life in relation to the traditions of his people and culture. Dee tells her mother and Maggie that they do not understand their "heritage," because they plan to put "priceless" heirloom quilts to "everyday use." The story makes clear that Dee is equally confused about the nature of her inheritance both from her immediate family and from the larger black tradition. The two opposite beliefs of the sisters teach a valuable lesson about family and heritage and how it should be considered. There are many factors leading to Maggie and Dee being foils. One way they are opposite is that Maggie is younger than Dee and is shy and timid whereas Dee can look anyone in the eye and talk to them, meaning she is very outgoing and not quiet. For example, when Dee arrives at the house, Maggie tries to hide behind her mother and does not s
Their actions and appearance are both totally opposite. The two sisters also look very different in appearance. Johnson says "She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks' habits, whole lives upon us two sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice" (1556). But on the other hand, Maggie knows the pieces that Dee is taking are part of her heritage. The main point of the quilts is that they are supposed to be used and that it is a part of the family heritage. In conclusion, the two sisters have lots of opposite characteristics. These two very different beliefs give the story its main theme and a valuable lesson about heritage. Maggie seems to be content with whom she is and what she is doing with her life where Dee is not. She even changes her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo because as she says in the story "I couldn't bear it any longer; being named after the people who oppress me" (1558). Johnson hopes Maggie will do because it will show how much she really appreciates her heritage and that she is not using them for any other type of reason such as Dee would. Even though she is not being oppressed at all because she is changing her life to the way she wants it to be. Dee has also not accepted her mother because she is the complete opposite of what she wants her to be, where Maggie has accepted her for the way she is and does not want her to change at all. This leads to the theme of the story: Heritage should be an "Everyday Use" not just as objects for decor.
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Acceptance Essays
