What is the purpose of everyday use?
In “Everyday Use,” Alice Walker argues that an African-American is both African and American, and to deny the American side of one’s heritage is disrespectful of one’s ancestors and, consequently, harmful to one’s self. She uses the principal characters of Mama, Dee (Wangero), and Maggie to clarify this theme.
What statement is the best example of the theme of everyday use?
Answer: B. It’s important to keep family and cultural traditions alive. In “Everyday Use,” we encounter three female characters: Mama, Dee and Maggie.
What does Dee symbolize in everyday use?
Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” highlights the importance of cultural heritage and family history through strong uses of symbolism. Dee is a symbol of success, accompanied by her lack of remembrance and care for her ancestral history. Maggie, her sister, is a symbol of respect and passion for the past.
What is the basic conflict in everyday use?
The main conflict of the story “Everyday Use” is that Dee wants the quilt to show off with her friends, but mama wants to give the quilt to Maggie, because she thinks Maggie will “use” it everyday; not just showing off their heritage everyday.
Why does Dee think Mama and Maggie don’t understand their heritage?
Dee thinks Mama and Maggie don’t understand their heritage because they don’t change from it. In Dee’s mind, Maggie and Mama lack the “Ethnic Pride” to leave the historical borders and live a prosperous life. In saying ‘”You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie.
Why has Dee changed her name to Wangero?
Dee changes her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo as a way to establish her new identity as an independent, proud African woman. In doing so, Dee rejects her traditional family heritage in favor of renouncing the former slave owners that initially named her ancestors.
What is the conflict between Dee and Maggie over?
The conflict comes to a head from the juxtaposition of the characters’ motives for wanting various items: Mama and Maggie need these objects because they put them to “Everyday Use” and Dee in only interested in them so that she can show them off and put them on display.
Why does Dee change her name and style of dress?
Answer Expert Verified Dee sees no value in the things belonged to her grandmother or mother. She considers them as only things to promote her new identity. So she dislikes to carry her name which she considers to be slave’s. She also wanted to appear in a new identity and changes her dress syle.
Why is Dee assumed African dress?
Dee has assumed an African-style dress and name as well as natural hair because she has become concerned with her heritage. Of her new name, she tells Mama, “‘I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.
Why did Dee hate the house that burned down?
Dee left home so that she could venture out and find her true “identity.” She felt so helpless growing up in such an impoverished home. She was popular, outgoing and also pushy. She disliked her home and was ashamed of her family.
How does Dee feel about Maggie?
Although Maggie is intimidated by her sister, she does not hesitate to demonstrate her displeasure when Dee asks to have the old quilts. She suggests that Maggie would not appreciate the quilts and would instead put them to everyday use. Dee feels a sense of entitlement, which defines her relationship with Maggie.
Why does Dee criticize Mama and Maggie about the way they still live?
Dee thinks that Mama and Maggie do not understand or appreciate their heritage because they routinely use the family items that Dee thinks should be preserved. First, she marvels over the rump prints in the benches that her father made when they were too poor to buy chairs.
What is the significance of Mama remembering having been hooked in the side by a cow in 49?
While Mama never bothered to do the hard job, being hooked in the side by a cow lost her motivation to keep living the old way. This part signifies the moment that Mama gets tired and loses her love of her way of living.
Why does Maggie smile at the end of everyday use?
Maggie has a real smile at the end of the story “Everyday Use” because she appreciates Mama coming to her defense and recognizes that she shares her feelings regarding their family’s heritage. Maggie also smiles because she feels worthy and has won a small victory against her successful, arrogant sister.
What does this was Maggie’s portion mean?
She speaks “like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her.” When Mama looks at Maggie, she sees that “This was Maggie’s portion. This was the way she knew God to work.” It is at this moment that Mama has her epiphany.
What kind of character is Maggie in everyday use?
Maggie. The shy, retiring daughter who lives with Mama. Burned in a house fire as a young girl, Maggie lacks confidence and shuffles when she walks, often fleeing or hanging in the background when there are other people around, unable to make eye contact. She is good-hearted, kind, and dutiful.
How do Maggie’s scars affect her life?
Maggie’s scars had made her grow into a shy young lady. She avoided contact from people she met, such as the instance when she was unable to accept a hug from Dee’s boyfriend. She lacked confidence in herself and was always intimidated by her sister, who she viewed as perfect.
What is the relationship between Dee and Maggie?
The most basic relationship is that they are sisters. Dee is the older sister, Maggie the younger.