Alice walkers

tradition can change or remain the same from one sibling to the next. The author uses

several factors to help tie in tradition between the two sisters. Walker focuses her

attention on education, fashion, and physical appearances to help readers understand

The difference in fashion between the two sisters is easily seen. Throughout the

story Walker illustrates that Maggie’s fashion sense is limited. Maggie fashion sense is

limited because she has lived in a rural area her whole life. She was taught at a young

age how to sew and quilt by her mother and big Dee. Maggie is skilled in making

clothes, but lacks the style or understanding of fashion to make clothes like her sisters.

Maggie’s lack of fashion can also be contributed to her unwillingness to show of her

body. She is ashamed of her body, so she wears clothes that hid her womanly

features. Maggie’s sense of fashion when related to tradition is more attuned to her

mother’s way of life, and the family members who came before her. Dee’s idea of

fashion when related to her heritage is more materialistic

. . .
She has

burn scars on her arms and legs from a fire when she was young. Maggie uses these items everyday to

live and sustain life. She has the ability to read, but not very well. For instance, she new knew made the butter churner

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and his real name. Dee’s

mother sends her away to school in Augusta. Maggie’s lack of understanding for the

outside world could be attributed to her physical appearance. Mama now sees Maggie has the daughter that

will keep their heritage alive, and that Maggie is someone to be proud of, not ashamed.

Throughout the story Maggie is described as ashamed, disfigured, weak, and

unintelligent. Maggie’s sister Dee would prefer to incase these items in glass on

display. Dee thinks she has obtained something in life her sister Maggie hasn’t.

Maggie’s mother knows her condition is the result of a fire, which she couldn’t control. She is wearing gold earrings

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and bracelets that dangle.

Common topics in this essay:
Maggie Dee, Mama Maggie, Dee Maggie, Henry Maggies, Alice Walkers, Walker Maggie, Dee Maggies, Augusta Dee, sister dee, sister maggie, maggies lack, maggie dee, mother sister, fashion sense limited, familys knowledge, throughout story, maggies knowledge, beauty comes, sew quilts, understanding heritage based, life taught age,

Approximate Word count = 1437
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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