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 watched. Mother wanted to ask her "why don't you do a dance around the ashes?...She had hated that house so much" (Walker 893). The demolished house and Dee's nonchalant attitude represents her detachment from her family and their prized possessions (Cowart 172). Dee physically separates herself from her family as
             soon as she is old enough. She leaves town to attend college in search of a better lifestyle. 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 thinks that she is too good...