Most people have had some fight or disagreement with a member of their family. Some might say it is natural for families to argue, but sometimes the reasons behind them are much bigger than they might appear at first glance. The short story “Everyday Use” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker deals a situation like this (Kirszner and Mandell 344). Walker feels strongly about people reconnecting with their heritage, in fact, she retook her maiden name three years into her marriage to honor her great great great grandmother (Kirszner and Mandell 344). When reading “Everyday Use” her opinions on ancestry and family can be seen. Also, similar to how Walker changed her name, a character in the story changes their name, but for the opposite
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It follows the story of three women in chronological order. The story begins with the narrator who is known as “Mama” describing the preparations she and her daughter Maggie are making for when her other daughter Dee visits (Walker). Then, Mama moves on to describing both daughters in great detail. She describes Maggie as a “lame animal”, because she shuffles her feet and walks with her head down. When Mama describes Dee she compares her to Maggie, saying Dee is lighter than her with better hair and figure (Walker). Moving on from appearances, she describes Dee’s attitude. Mama says “Dee wanted nice things”, she wanted nice clothes and schools and fancy houses. Now, Dee arrives at the house in a car dressed in traditional African attire, and with her a man named “Asalamalakim”, a short man with long hair. Dee introduces him to Mama and Maggie, and then they move into the house. This is when Dee informs the family that she has changed her name. She says she will no longer be called Dee, she will be called “Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo”, because she “couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (Walker). Mama does not agree with the change, but she says she will respect her wishes. Dee then starts wanting different objects from around the house that she thinks carry the family’s heritage (Walker). When she starts to take quilts out of a chest Mama stops her saying that the quilts are for Maggie. …show more content…
One she uses is point of view. The story takes place from a first person point of view; Mama’s point of view. Walker does this for a specific reason that is it gives more sincerity to the story. When it is told by someone involved in the story the reader can feel the emotions of the character speaking. For example, when Dee says something offending the reader feels offended too, because it is as if Dee is speaking to the reader. Also, by making the story told by Mama it gives an entirely different meaning then it would if it had been told from Dee’s
It follows the story of three women in chronological order. The story begins with the narrator who is known as “Mama” describing the preparations she and her daughter Maggie are making for when her other daughter Dee visits (Walker). Then, Mama moves on to describing both daughters in great detail. She describes Maggie as a “lame animal”, because she shuffles her feet and walks with her head down. When Mama describes Dee she compares her to Maggie, saying Dee is lighter than her with better hair and figure (Walker). Moving on from appearances, she describes Dee’s attitude. Mama says “Dee wanted nice things”, she wanted nice clothes and schools and fancy houses. Now, Dee arrives at the house in a car dressed in traditional African attire, and with her a man named “Asalamalakim”, a short man with long hair. Dee introduces him to Mama and Maggie, and then they move into the house. This is when Dee informs the family that she has changed her name. She says she will no longer be called Dee, she will be called “Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo”, because she “couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (Walker). Mama does not agree with the change, but she says she will respect her wishes. Dee then starts wanting different objects from around the house that she thinks carry the family’s heritage (Walker). When she starts to take quilts out of a chest Mama stops her saying that the quilts are for Maggie. …show more content…
One she uses is point of view. The story takes place from a first person point of view; Mama’s point of view. Walker does this for a specific reason that is it gives more sincerity to the story. When it is told by someone involved in the story the reader can feel the emotions of the character speaking. For example, when Dee says something offending the reader feels offended too, because it is as if Dee is speaking to the reader. Also, by making the story told by Mama it gives an entirely different meaning then it would if it had been told from Dee’s