Everyday Use “You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live you’d never know it” (Walker 1973). “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is the story of the dynamic between a family in rural Georgia. The eldest daughter of the family is unsatisfied with her lot in life and refuses to accept her cultural roots until she is sent off to school and returns home with a new perspective of her cultural identity. Throughout the story Walker uses the themes of heritage and education to explain that sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you. Walkers’ use of theme in the story helps the reader establish their own point of view while also projecting Walkers
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Then she told me they were old-fashioned, out of style.” (Walker 1973). This quote from the story shows Dee’s lack of genuine appreciation of her heritage however, through this quote the reader is also introduced to the power of education. Since her childhood Dee has felt that she was essentially better than her mother and sister because of her lighter skin tone. After receiving an education Dee accepts her cultural roots though she is still blind to the fact that she had been exposed to the culture since she was a child. It is not rare for education to change the views of individuals. “The functions of education are twofold: one, to sustain the culture of a nation; and two, to develop skills which will satisfy the needs of the nation. The Black Education Program will take a total rather than a fragmented approach to the education of Black people. This necessarily means constant and thorough involvement of all levels in the Black community, both locally and worldwide: Afro-American or in a Pan-African context. The Black Education Program realizes that the necessity of control is vital to every level of Black endeavor. There is no substitute for Black control in the movement of Black people toward liberation” (Center for Black Education 1972). This excerpt explains Dee’s actions throughout the story from changing her name to one she believes is not associated with “the people who oppress” her, to her desire
Then she told me they were old-fashioned, out of style.” (Walker 1973). This quote from the story shows Dee’s lack of genuine appreciation of her heritage however, through this quote the reader is also introduced to the power of education. Since her childhood Dee has felt that she was essentially better than her mother and sister because of her lighter skin tone. After receiving an education Dee accepts her cultural roots though she is still blind to the fact that she had been exposed to the culture since she was a child. It is not rare for education to change the views of individuals. “The functions of education are twofold: one, to sustain the culture of a nation; and two, to develop skills which will satisfy the needs of the nation. The Black Education Program will take a total rather than a fragmented approach to the education of Black people. This necessarily means constant and thorough involvement of all levels in the Black community, both locally and worldwide: Afro-American or in a Pan-African context. The Black Education Program realizes that the necessity of control is vital to every level of Black endeavor. There is no substitute for Black control in the movement of Black people toward liberation” (Center for Black Education 1972). This excerpt explains Dee’s actions throughout the story from changing her name to one she believes is not associated with “the people who oppress” her, to her desire