“Everyday Use” is a short story written by Alice Walker. It tells the story of a rural African-American family and explores themes of heritage, cultural identity, and the concept of value.
The story is narrated by Mama, an African-American woman living in the rural South. She describes her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who have contrasting attitudes towards their African-American heritage.
Dee, the older daughter, returns home for a visit after being away at college. Dee has adopted a new name, Wangero, and has embraced African cultural roots. She is portrayed as fashionable and educated, with a desire to possess objects that she sees as representative of her African heritage.
Maggie, on the other hand, is Mama’s younger daughter, who has lived at home all her life. She is shy and lacks confidence due to physical and emotional scars from a past house fire. Maggie values the practical and utilitarian aspects of her African-American heritage, such as quilts made by their grandmother.
The central conflict arises when Dee expresses her desire to take some of the family’s heirloom quilts, which have been handmade and passed down through generations. Dee sees them as art objects to be displayed, while Mama and Maggie view them as everyday items with practical use.
Mama is torn between her two daughters’ conflicting views of heritage. However, she ultimately decides to give the quilts to Maggie, who understands the cultural and emotional significance of the quilts and will use them in her daily life.
The story concludes with Mama and Maggie sitting outside their house, watching Dee drive away. Mama reflects on the importance of heritage and the connection between generations. She realizes that true cultural appreciation and understanding come not from outward displays or material objects but from a genuine connection to one’s roots and a sense of identity.
“Everyday Use” explores the complexities of cultural identity and the different ways in which individuals interpret and value their heritage. It raises questions about the commodification of culture and the significance of preserving and honoring familial traditions. Through the characters of Mama, Dee, and Maggie, Alice Walker invites readers to consider the multifaceted nature of heritage and the power of personal connections to family and cultural roots.
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