Everyday Use: An Alice Walker Analysis
Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” delves into African-American heritage through clashing perspectives. The story explores themes of identity‚ tradition versus modernity‚ and cultural appropriation. It revolves around a mother and her two daughters‚ Dee and Maggie‚ showcasing differing views on their heritage.
Alice Walker‚ a celebrated African-American author‚ is renowned for her insightful explorations of race‚ gender‚ and identity. Her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel‚ “The Color Purple‚” stands as a testament to her powerful storytelling and commitment to portraying the experiences of women of color. Walker’s work often delves into the complexities of African-American culture‚ highlighting both its harmony and its internal struggles.
“Everyday Use‚” a short story published in 1973‚ is a prime example of Walker’s literary prowess. It encapsulates her dedication to narrating the stories of marginalized communities‚ particularly Black women in the rural South. Influenced by writers of the Harlem Renaissance‚ Walker’s writing reflects a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and challenging societal norms. Her narratives often explore the conflict between tradition and modernity‚ showcasing the diverse perspectives within African-American families. “Everyday Use” serves as a microcosm of these broader themes‚ offering a poignant examination of identity and the meaning of heritage.
“Everyday Use” unfolds with Mama‚ an elderly Black woman‚ awaiting a visit from her daughter‚ Dee. The story is narrated from Mama’s perspective‚ describing her simple‚ rural life and her relationship with her two daughters: Dee and Maggie. Maggie‚ scarred from a childhood fire‚ remains at home‚ embodying a quiet acceptance of her heritage.
Dee’s arrival disrupts the family dynamic. Having pursued higher education‚ she has adopted a new name‚ Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo‚ rejecting her given name as a symbol of oppression. Dee’s newfound interest in her African roots manifests in her desire to claim family heirlooms‚ including quilts made by her grandmother. However‚ her intentions differ from Mama’s and Maggie’s. Dee views the quilts as artifacts to be displayed‚ while Mama believes they should be used and cherished in everyday life. The story culminates in a conflict over the quilts‚ leading Mama to ultimately decide that Maggie‚ who understands and appreciates their practical and sentimental value‚ should inherit them. This decision marks Mama’s assertion of her own values and a rejection of Dee’s superficial understanding of heritage.
Character Analysis: Mama
Mama‚ the narrator of “Everyday Use‚” is portrayed as a strong‚ practical‚ and resilient African-American woman. Described as a “big-boned woman with rough‚ man-working hands‚” she represents the hardworking‚ rural South. Mama lacks formal education‚ but possesses a deep understanding of her family history and cultural heritage. She is a woman grounded in tradition‚ valuing the practical use of heirlooms and the importance of family connections. Her home‚ though simple‚ is a space of love and acceptance for Maggie.
Mama’s character is defined by her unwavering love for her daughters‚ even though she struggles to understand Dee’s choices. She recognizes Dee’s intelligence and ambition‚ but is also wary of her superficial understanding of their heritage. Mama’s internal conflict stems from her desire to provide for her daughters while also preserving their family’s values. Ultimately‚ she demonstrates courage and conviction by standing up to Dee and choosing to honor Maggie’s connection to their heritage. This decision reveals Mama’s strength and her commitment to preserving the true essence of her family’s history‚ not just its outward appearance.
Character Analysis: Dee (Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo)
Dee‚ who later adopts the name Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo‚ is the educated and sophisticated older daughter in “Everyday Use.” She represents the new‚ progressive movement among younger African Americans who seek to reconnect with their African roots. Dee is intelligent‚ ambitious‚ and determined to escape her rural Southern upbringing. She goes to college and embraces a new identity‚ rejecting her given name and adopting an African one as a symbol of her heritage.
However‚ Dee’s understanding of her heritage is superficial and materialistic. She views her family’s heirlooms‚ such as the quilts‚ as artifacts to be displayed rather than used and cherished. Dee’s desire to connect with her African roots is driven by a desire for social status and intellectual validation‚ rather than a genuine appreciation for her family’s history and traditions. She fails to recognize the value of her mother and sister’s lived experiences and their deep connection to their heritage. Ultimately‚ Dee’s character serves as a critique of cultural appropriation and the dangers of intellectualizing one’s heritage without understanding its true meaning.
Character Analysis: Maggie
Maggie‚ in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use‚” stands in stark contrast to her sister‚ Dee. She embodies humility‚ simplicity‚ and a deep connection to her family’s heritage. Scarred both physically and emotionally from a childhood house fire‚ Maggie is shy‚ insecure‚ and lacks formal education. However‚ her quiet nature masks a profound understanding and appreciation for her family’s history and traditions.
Unlike Dee‚ who seeks to intellectualize and display her heritage‚ Maggie lives it every day. She knows how to quilt‚ cook‚ and maintain the family’s traditions. Maggie’s knowledge is not academic but practical‚ passed down through generations of women in her family. She understands the value of the quilts not as mere artifacts but as tangible representations of her family’s history and love. Maggie’s willingness to relinquish the quilts to Dee demonstrates her selflessness and her belief that Dee‚ with her education‚ deserves them more. However‚ Mama’s ultimate decision to give the quilts to Maggie affirms the true value of lived experience and genuine connection to one’s heritage over superficial displays.
Themes: Heritage and Identity
Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” profoundly explores the complex themes of heritage and identity within the context of African-American culture. The story presents contrasting perspectives on what it means to embrace one’s heritage‚ challenging the notion that it can be solely defined by academic knowledge or outward displays. Heritage‚ in “Everyday Use‚” is presented as a multifaceted concept encompassing family history‚ traditions‚ values‚ and lived experiences.
Dee’s character represents a more superficial understanding of heritage‚ viewing it as something to be curated and displayed. She changes her name to Wangero and seeks to reclaim artifacts like the quilts as symbols of her African roots‚ divorced from their practical use and emotional significance. In contrast‚ Maggie embodies a deeper‚ more authentic connection to her heritage. She understands and values the traditions passed down through generations‚ not as museum pieces but as integral parts of her daily life. Mama’s ultimate decision to give the quilts to Maggie underscores the story’s central message: true heritage lies not in possession or display but in the everyday use and appreciation of one’s cultural roots.
Themes: Tradition vs. Modernity
In “Everyday Use‚” Alice Walker masterfully juxtaposes tradition and modernity‚ highlighting the tensions that arise when these forces collide within a family and a culture. Dee’s character embodies modernity‚ representing the educated‚ progressive African-American who seeks to distance herself from her rural Southern roots. She embraces a romanticized vision of her African heritage‚ viewing it through an intellectual lens‚ often dismissing the practical‚ lived experiences of her mother and sister as backward or unsophisticated.
Conversely‚ Mama and Maggie represent tradition‚ valuing the customs and objects passed down through generations. They find meaning and connection in the everyday use of these items‚ seeing them not as relics of the past but as integral parts of their present lives. The conflict over the quilts epitomizes this clash between tradition and modernity. Dee desires the quilts as artifacts to display‚ while Maggie intends to use them for warmth and comfort‚ embodying the traditional role of these handmade items within the family. Walker suggests that true appreciation of heritage lies not in its aesthetic or intellectual value but in its functional and emotional significance‚ cautioning against the superficial embrace of modernity at the expense of one’s cultural roots.
Symbolism: The Quilts
The quilts in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” are laden with symbolism‚ representing heritage‚ family history‚ and the contrasting values of Dee and Maggie. Crafted from scraps of clothing worn by ancestors‚ the quilts embody the tangible connection to the past‚ holding within their stitches the stories and experiences of generations. They symbolize the resourcefulness‚ creativity‚ and enduring spirit of the women in the family who pieced them together‚ transforming remnants into objects of both beauty and utility.
The conflict over the quilts highlights the differing interpretations of heritage. Dee views them as artifacts to be admired and preserved‚ detached from their original purpose. She sees them as a means to connect with her African roots in a way that elevates her social standing. Maggie‚ on the other hand‚ understands the quilts as functional objects meant to be used and cherished within the context of everyday life. Her knowledge of how to quilt‚ passed down through generations‚ signifies her deep connection to her heritage. Ultimately‚ Mama’s decision to give the quilts to Maggie underscores the importance of embracing heritage as a living tradition rather than a static display.
Symbolism: The Names
The names in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” are powerful symbols that reflect the characters’ evolving identities and their relationship to their heritage. Dee’s decision to change her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo signifies her rejection of her given name‚ which she associates with slavery and oppression. This act represents her attempt to reclaim her African roots and forge a new identity‚ but it also reveals a superficial understanding of her heritage. She embraces a romanticized version of Africa‚ disconnected from the realities of her family’s history and experiences in America.
In contrast‚ Mama and Maggie retain their given names‚ which‚ while seemingly simple‚ represent a connection to their ancestors and a continuity of family history. Their names are not symbols of oppression but rather badges of resilience and endurance. Mama’s refusal to acknowledge Dee’s new name highlights her rejection of Dee’s attempt to erase her past. The names‚ therefore‚ become a battleground in the conflict over heritage‚ with Dee seeking to redefine herself through a new identity and Mama and Maggie clinging to the names that bind them to their family and their history.
Cultural Conflict in “Everyday Use”
The heart of Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” lies in its exploration of cultural conflict‚ primarily between two distinct perspectives on African-American heritage. This conflict manifests in the contrasting worldviews of Dee (Wangero) and her mother‚ Mama‚ and sister‚ Maggie. Dee‚ having pursued higher education and embraced a newfound sense of cultural awareness‚ seeks to reconnect with her African roots‚ often in a superficial and performative manner. She views her family’s heirlooms‚ like the quilts‚ as artifacts to be displayed and admired‚ detached from their practical and emotional significance.
On the other hand‚ Mama and Maggie embody a more traditional and lived experience of their heritage. They see the quilts as functional objects‚ meant to be used and cherished within the context of their daily lives. This difference in perspective highlights the tension between preserving cultural heritage as a static representation and embracing it as a dynamic and evolving part of everyday existence. Dee’s desire to curate her heritage clashes with Mama and Maggie’s understanding of it as an integral aspect of their identity‚ leading to a profound cultural divide within the family.
Critical Reception and Analysis of the Story
“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker has garnered significant critical attention and analysis since its publication‚ sparking discussions about its themes of heritage‚ identity‚ and cultural appropriation. Critics have examined the story’s complex characters‚ particularly Dee‚ who is often viewed as a symbol of the challenges and contradictions faced by African Americans seeking to reconnect with their roots in a rapidly changing world. Some interpretations critique Dee’s superficial embrace of her heritage‚ arguing that she prioritizes aesthetics over genuine understanding and appreciation.
Conversely‚ other analyses empathize with Dee’s desire to reclaim her cultural identity‚ acknowledging the historical context of oppression and the need for self-definition. Mama’s perspective has also been a subject of debate‚ with some critics praising her grounded connection to tradition and others questioning her resistance to change. The story’s ending‚ where Mama chooses to give the quilts to Maggie‚ has been interpreted as a triumph of authentic cultural expression over superficial displays of heritage. Overall‚ “Everyday Use” remains a widely studied and debated work‚ prompting readers to reflect on the multifaceted nature of identity and the complexities of cultural preservation.
