Everyday Use Conflicts

“Everyday Use” was written by Alice Walker, and it can be found at www.cusd200.org. It was published in 1973. The book opens with Mama and Maggie at their new home after the last one burned down. The other daughter, Dee, moved away to college, and she comes home to visit. When home, she has changed, and Dee, now named Wangero, is belittling and rude. Dee’s three conflicts include Woman vs. Southern Heritage Dee vs. Maggie, and Wanjero vs. Mama. The first conflict is Dee vs. Southern Heritage. Dee converted into the Muslim religion, and she changed her way of dress to indicate her African roots. “A dress so loud it hurts my eyes. There are yellow and oranges enough to throw back the light of the sun.” Mama’s description of Dee’s outfit is one

Mama. Wangero rummages through the house and comes upon quilts. The quilts were hand sewn by their Grandma Dee, and she claims that she understands their value, when she does not. Then, Wangero asks Mama if she can have them. “’The truth is,’ I said, ‘I promised to give them quilts to Maggie, for when she marries John Thomas.’” This causes Dee to argue with her Mama because she was used to the house bending to her will. Wangero says that Maggie would be backwards enough to use the quilts, which represent the bond of the generations of women in the family. Next, Maggie walks in and gives up her claim to the quilts. This causes Mama to finally stand up for Maggie. “I did something I have never done before…snatched the quilts out of Miss Wangero’s hands and dumped them into Maggie’s lap.” Mama finally cracked on Dee about her selfishness. In conclusion, Dee’s three conflicts include Dee vs. Southern Heritage, Dee vs. Maggie, and Dee vs. Mama. Dee gave up her heritage, and she lost her appreciation for her family. She belittled her mother, her sister, and her family’s history. In the end, Mama finally stood up for Maggie; this was something that had never happened to Dee, or Wangero, before. In brief, Dee lost her touch with reality and with her supportive