Symbolism In Everyday Use By Alice Walker

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In the short story, “Everyday Use”, Alice Walker uses three different symbols, that both Mama and Dee view differently, to strengthen the central theme of perception. The three symbols, in my opinion, that she uses are Maggie’s character, Dee’s name, and the family quilts. Walker’s story begins with Mama and Maggie waiting on Dee to arrive for a visit. Mama describes her two daughters very differently. Before the visit, Mama’s view of Maggie is that of pity and empathy, but for Dee, she sees strength and success. Following the visit, Mama has a revelation concerning Maggie; see begins to see that Maggie is wise and far more in touch with their heritage than Dee. Dee, however, states, “you ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie…”

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