Everyday Use
The short story "Everyday Use", written by Alice Walker, is about an African-American mother and her two daughters. The story evolves around one daughter, Dee, coming back home to visit her family. As one is introduced to the characters in "Everyday Use", it becomes apparent that the two sisters, Maggie and Dee, are very different. Maggie is portrayed as a homely and ignorant girl, while Dee is portrayed as a beautiful and educated woman. The story goes beyond these differences, though, to deal mainly with the way in which the two sisters value their heritage. Maggie knows nothing but her heritage, for she has never left home. On the other hand, Dee seems to have no real concept of her roots. Ironically, Dee's outward appearance is that of a proud black woman, but her actions and words show ignorance and shame towards her culture. Alice Walker uses the characterization of Dee to show that heritage is something that one always has inside of them and can not be found in material objects. Mother, the narrator of the story, explains Dee's personality and background. Dee apparently has been running from her poverty stricken past since she was a child. When the Johnson's house burnt down, Dee just stood from afar and watche
Dee is uninterested in the facts because she is just planning on displaying the churn as a decoration. The demolished house and Dee's nonchalant attitude represents her detachment from her family and their prized possessions (Cowart 172). Dee prefers Wangero because it is an African name, even though it is not related to her immediate heritage. In addition to taking the milk churn, Dee attempts to take two handmade quilts from her mother's dresser. Dee does not have a true appreciation for the milk churn and only wants it for superficial reasons. Dee thinks that she is too good to admit her true heritage to anyone. You are born into your culture, and everything you do reflects your heritage. She puts the camera back in the car without including herself or Hakim in any of the pictures. Alice Walker has made it clear that Dee has always used to getting what she wants, so Dee seems surprised when Mother gives the quilts to Maggie. She has brought a gentleman friend with her by the name of Hakim-a-barber, who is Muslim. After Dee moves out, she assures her mother that she will come to see her, wherever she may "choose" to live, but makes it clear that she will not bring any friends over (Walker 894). Dee takes picture after picture of her mother's house using a Polaroid camera. She represents a person who feels that material things can fill holes in one's life. She makes sure that every shot includes the house, Mother, Maggie, and even the cows that are roaming freely around the yard. Wangero calls her old name "dead" (895), and by doing this, Alice Walker shows that 'Dee' has distanced herself even further from her family, heritage, and culture despite her new name.
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Acceptance Essays
