Everyday Use By Alice Walker Analysis

There will always be different views, opinions and perspectives towards anything, including things deemed insignificant. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a short story that tells the relationship between family members from the mother’s point of view. Within the family of three, Dee, Mama, and Maggie show different views and importance towards the family heirlooms that reveal their identities and values. Mama’s daughter, Dee, sees a cultural value in the heirlooms and believes it will connect her to her African heritage. When reuniting with her family she is described with “a dress so loud…bracelets dangling…hair up like the wool on a sheep” (Walker 80.) Dee dresses “loudly” and more colorfully to indulge herself in African heritage. Throughout

Referring to the house fire, Mama describes, “I can still hear the flames and feel Maggie’s arms sticking to me” (Walker 78.) While this is happening Dee is motionless, almost basking in the fire. Maggie’s shock and pain during the fire creates a bond with her mother, craving comfort and a sense of love. During the argument between Mama and Dee, Mama rallies, “Maggie knows how to quilt” (Walker 82.) Maggie is taught how to quilt, unlike Dee, showing Maggie’s close bond to family traditions. All though shy and bashful, she has a stronger connection to her mother. Interrupting the fight, Maggie decides Dee can have the quilts, “she can have them…can’t remember Dee without the quilts” (Walker 83.) Although Dee showed no affection towards Maggie throughout the text, Maggie is willing to give up her rights to the quilts to her sister. Maggie shows a love and willingness for her sister and family, even though Dee and her Mama seldom showed affection. Maggie’s similar respect towards the family heirlooms shows how she also values family, like her mother and the text displays her quiet