Life as Dee

Life as Dee

Dee, also known as Wangero, is very self-centered in the story “Everyday Use,” by Alice Walker. Before being able to warm up to Dee, her arrogant, inconsiderate, and selfish ways were repeatedly introduced throughout the story. Dee was an archaeologist, and if it did not benefit her job, nothing or anyone matters.
Mama mentions Dee’s arrogant ways in the beginning of the story by saying “And Dee. I see her standing off under the sweet gum tree she used to dig gum out of; a look of concentration on her face as she watched the last dingy gray board of the house fall in towards the red-hot brick chimney. Why don’t you do a dance around the ashes? I’d wanted to ask her. She hated the house that much (316).” Dee had no interest in trying to help her sister Maggie, she just was so glad that she did not have to live in that old house anymore. Mama also says, “This house is in a pasture, too, like the other. No doubt when Dee sees it she will want to tear it down (317).” This only shows more evidence of Dee’s materialistic and egolistic ways. Dee was the type of person who always wanted the best of things. Her mother mentions that “Dee wanted nice things. A yellow organdy dress to wear to her graduation from high school (316).” Dee always wanted to be that styling girl.
Dee was named after her aunt Dicie and before that it was her grandma and her grandmother’s mother. The name was a name that stuck to their families heritage. Dee did not understand the value of having that name. when her mother approached her and said “Dee (313).” Dee quickly corrected her mother and said “No mama, not Dee, Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo (313)!” Dee told her mother “I couldn’t bear it any longer being named after the people who oppress me(313).” D...

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... mind, it was hers accoriding to her.
Mama says that, “Dee looked at me with hatred (321).” The one time that Dee does not get what she wants she flips out. She argued her mother down, “You just will not understand. The point is these quilts, these quilts (321)!” Her self-centered ways would not let her give up. When she realizes that her mother was standing her ground and snatched the quilts away, she just left without saying a word. Throughout her life, Dee never was told “no (315)”, and to finally be told no from her mother who always told her yes to everything, it just brought her selfish, inconsiderate ways out of her.
Dee is a flat character who never changes. Dee showed her arrogant, inconsiderate, and selfish ways, throughout the story repeatedly towards her family. At the end her Mama stood up and told her no. Now that she needs her family the most, she r