Introduction
Everyday Use” is a short story written by Alice Walker, a prominent author and activist known for her works centered on the experiences of African-American women. The story revolves around a mother and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who have different perspectives on the value of their heritage and culture. Dee, the eldest daughter, has adopted a more militant and politically conscious view of her heritage, while Maggie sees it as a cherished part of her daily life. The mother, who is the narrator of the story, is torn between her love for her two daughters and her desire to preserve the family heritage.
The story takes place in the rural south, where the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, and the issue of cultural identity was burning. Through the character of Dee, Walker sheds light on the dangers of appropriating one’s heritage for political purposes, while through Maggie, she highlights the importance of preserving and passing down cultural traditions. The story’s central theme is that heritage is more than just objects and artifacts since it reflects a person’s dignity and identity. In “Everyday Use,” Walker reveals three important lessons:
- heritage means traditions;
- heritage defines culture and dignity through the sharing of traditions;
- heritage defines culture and dignity by passing down traditions from generation to generation.
Value of Heritage and What That Means – Use
In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” heritage means traditions, history, and culture that are passed down from generation to generation. It is not solely found in objects and material possessions. Walker provides a powerful commentary on the complexities of heritage and its role in shaping our identities. The idea of heritage includes customs, history, and culture that are transmitted from one generation to the next; it is not limited to material belongings.
In exploring the characters of Mama, Dee, and Maggie, the story highlights the contrasting interpretations of what heritage means to them. While Dee views heritage as a symbol of status or wealth, Mama and Maggie see it as a means of connecting to their family’s past and traditions. The main character, Mama, has two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who have vastly different interpretations of what heritage means to them. Dee sees heritage as an item to be displayed and admired for its aesthetic value. However, Maggie views it as a means of connecting to her family’s past and traditions.
A specific scene that highlights this theme is when Dee returns to visit Mama and Maggie, and she is interested in taking two quilts that have been passed down to Mama. Dee intends to hang the quilts on her wall as a form of decoration, but Mama resists and decides to give the quilts to Maggie, who will actually use them every day. When Dee states, “She’d probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use,” Mama responds, “I reckon she would … nobody using ’em” (Walker). This quotation shows that Mama believes that the true value of heritage lies in actually using it in everyday life rather than just displaying it as a symbol of status or wealth.
The root of Dee’s behavior can be inferred to stem from her desire to distance herself from her impoverished upbringing and establish a new identity for herself that is more aligned with mainstream society. However, in doing so, she fails to understand the true value of her family’s heritage and sees it only as a way to display her status. On the other hand, Mama and Maggie understand the importance of heritage in preserving their family’s traditions and cultural identity.
Through the use of the quilts as a symbol of heritage, the story emphasizes the idea that the true value of heritage lies in its practical use in everyday life rather than just as a symbol of wealth or status. Thus, “Everyday Use” explores the theme of the value of heritage and argues that heritage is not just about objects. It is passed down from generation to generation. The narrative implies that utilizing one’s lineage in daily life, as opposed to merely flaunting it as a status or financial symbol, is what gives it its genuine significance.
The First Way Heritage Defines Dignity and Cultural Identity – Sharing
Heritage defines dignity and cultural identity first by sharing common traditions, items, and ways of living between generations. The story presents the idea that heritage is not just about objects and material possessions but also about the traditions, values, and beliefs that shape a person’s sense of self and dignity.
Heritage is a significant aspect of human identity, and how it plays a crucial role in shaping one’s cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. Understanding the importance of heritage is essential to understanding the significance of cultural identity. One can view heritage as a genetic phenomenon, whereas another can see the material aspect of it. However, it is about the cultural identity and traditions shared between people related to each other as a family, community, ethnicity, or race.
Mama and Maggie have different interpretations of heritage compared to Dee, which leads to conflicts and misunderstandings. A scene in the story that highlights this theme is when Dee tries to reclaim objects from Mama’s house that she believes will give her a sense of cultural identity and dignity. Dee sees heritage as a way of displaying her cultural heritage and her connection to her roots, but there is no shared connection.
Although they share quilts, lifestyles, and traditions, Mama and Maggie have distinct perspectives on heritage and how it connects them to their family’s history and customs. The mother is torn between her love for her daughter and her desire to preserve the family heritage. She says: “I promised to give them quilts to Maggie, for when she marries John Thomas” (Walker). This quote illustrates the mother’s understanding that heritage is not just a matter of material possessions but the shared value of dignity and culture.
In terms of exploring the characters’ motivations, one could delve deeper into why Mama and Maggie view heritage differently from Dee. For instance, Mama may value heritage and traditions more than Dee because of her rural background and upbringing, which has instilled in her a deep appreciation for preserving the family’s cultural identity.
Maggie, on the other hand, may have a different view of heritage because of her shy and reserved personality, which makes her cherish the emotional connection to her past more than the material possessions associated with it. Mama believes that Dee’s interpretation of heritage is superficial and shallow, as she is using it as a means of displaying her cultural heritage rather than as a way of connecting to her roots.
One can criticize Dee’s superficial interpretation of heritage and explore the root cause of her behavior. For instance, Dee’s desire to reclaim the objects from Mama’s house could stem from her desire to escape her rural roots and distance herself from her family’s cultural identity, which she may see as inferior to her education and accomplishments.
Therefore, the value of heritage in “Everyday Use” is a reflection of the character’s dignity. Through the mother, Walker emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions and understanding the true value of heritage. The mother’s commitment to preserving the quilts and her cultural heritage demonstrates her dignity and her deep connection to her family and her past. In sum, heritage defines dignity and cultural identity by sharing common traditions.
The Second Way Heritage Defines Dignity and Cultural Identity – Preserving
Heritage defines dignity and cultural identity by preserving traditions and passing them down from generation to generation. Maggie is a true inheritor of the grandmother’s quilts because she knows how to make them, whereas Dee has lost her connection to her culture since she has no such skills. The story shows how heritage is a means of connecting to one’s roots and preserving cultural identity and contributes to a person’s sense of dignity and self-respect. Mama and Maggie, the main characters, have a strong connection to their heritage and place a high value on preserving their cultural traditions.
One scene that highlights this theme is when Mama gives the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee. The quilts represent the preservation of their family’s past and the cultural traditions passed down from generation to generation. Mama’s decision to provide the quilts to Maggie, who will in fact make daily use of them, demonstrates her belief that the true value of heritage lies in preserving and using it in everyday life. The mother says, “She can always make some more … Maggie knows how to quilt” (Walker). This quote illustrates Maggie’s deep appreciation for her heritage since it is about inherited skills and appreciation rather than objects themselves and her understanding that it is an essential part of her identity.
Thus, knowing the heritage’s value is essential to honor it. There are a number of reasons why Maggie is so deeply connected to her heritage and cultural identity. Maggie has been taught from a young age to value and preserve her family’s traditions, and she has internalized these teachings as an integral part of her sense of self. This is evident in her eagerness to learn how to quilt, a skill highly valued in her family and community, and in her desire to use the quilts in everyday life to preserve her family’s past and traditions.
In contrast, Dee has rejected many of her family’s traditions and has chosen to adopt a more cosmopolitan and individualistic lifestyle that is at odds with her family’s rural, agrarian way of life. This has caused a rift between Dee and her family, as she sees their traditions and way of life as backward and outdated, while they see her as having abandoned her roots and cultural identity.
This tension between Dee and her family reflects the broader conflict between urban and rural, modern and traditional, which puts heritage as a central theme of the story. Through the character of Maggie, Walker emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating cultural traditions and heritage. Maggie’s eagerness to show Dee the improvements she has made to their family home demonstrates her deep respect for her heritage and her commitment to preserving it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in “Everyday Use,” Alice Walker masterfully depicts the importance of heritage in shaping one’s identity and dignity. The story highlights the idea that a person’s heritage is a reflection of their cultural identity and their connection to their family and past. Through the characters of the mother and Maggie, Walker reveals the significance of understanding and appreciating the value of heritage.
The mother, who serves as the story’s narrator, is ardently dedicated to maintaining her ancestry out of pride. She values the quilts passed down in her family for generations and sees them as a symbol of her cultural identity and her connection to her past. On the other hand, Maggie deeply appreciates her heritage and values it for its practical and emotional significance. She sees heritage as a part of her daily life and a connection to her family and community.
Thus, heritage is an essential aspect of one’s identity and dignity. By exploring the characters of the mother and Maggie, Walker underscores the importance of understanding and appreciating the value of heritage. The narrative emphasizes the idea that heritage is a reflection of one’s dignity and ties to one’s past and family, rather than just being a question of material belongings. Ultimately, “Everyday Use” serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of honoring and preserving our cultural heritage, as it is a vital component of our individual and collective identities.
Work Cited
Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” Harper’s Magazine, 1973. Web.