Everyday Use

             "Everyday Use" is a short story written by Alice Walker, a black writer born in Georgia. This story appears to take place on a farm during the 1960's. The writer takes us on a journey with the mother as the narrator. She describes the mother in explicit detail and frequently uses colorful adjectives to shape this character. The story will give us glimpses of the antagonist character named "Dee" before we even meet her. This will lead to the plot of the story. The clash between Dee and her mother, who appear to have not seen or talked to each other in quite some time. The mother and daughter begin to socialize and talk about old times until Dee tests her mother's moral beliefs.
             This story is told in a first-narrator setting by Dee and Maggie's mother. She begins the story with visual adjectives that greatly describe the setting of their humble house. She notes the floors made of clay and freshly swept so clean that you may see the cracks in it. She further describes the house with three bedrooms and briefly mentions that fact that they once lived in house like this one. That house burned down which would explain the burns to Maggie's legs and arms. The narrator describes the smell of the day subtly by mentioning the breeze that never arrives and the presence of cows in the pasture. She also explains explicitly the dress and demeanor of both of the daughters. Maggie's pinked dress that fully covers her that detail's insight to her bearing. The narrator leads you to believe that Maggie is a fragile character that never had a break in life. She was badly burned twelve years prior and hides her scars shamefully. She walks with a shuffle and frequently keeps her eyes down to the floor rarely looking at another in the eye. She details so realistically the colors of Dee's dress that you can see the dress as if it were in front of you. Dee is a solid character with a powerful attitude. She is strong willed and has had many accomplishmen
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Everyday Use. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 05:03, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/96980.html