Everyday Use Theme

1. One of the main characters, Mama, in, “Everyday Use”, by Alice Walker is portrayed as strong and independent. She takes the job of a traditional male role and works and provides for her family. Although, Mama is illustrated as a tough woman she is on the more reserved side. Mama is also a somewhat critical character, as she bluntly describes her daughters, Maggie and Dee. Maggie is characterized as unattractive and shy. Her burn scars result in a lack of confidence. She’s quiet and withdrawn, always keeping her head down. Her sister, Dee, is the complete opposite. She is confident and bold. Additionally, Dee’s ambition is shown through her desire for a better life. She’s also portrayed as condescending and unappreciated of her mother and sister. Their contrasting characteristics add to the conflict of identities in the story. This conflict is demonstrated in how they wanted to use the quilt. Dee, a more worldly educated person only wanted to hang up the quilt like a piece of art, while Maggie would put it to everyday use. Dee’s interpretation of family heritage has to do with her background, and chosen identity. Dee neglected her immediate family’s culture and looked to her African heritage. The sisters had different views on the …show more content…
The central theme of the story is the meaning of family heritage. The title, “Everyday Use” refers to the conflict of the story and how family heirlooms should be put to everyday use. This theme is examined when Dee lacks understanding of family heritage. The meaning of family heritage was portrayed through the quilts. Family heritage was interpreted differently by Maggie and her mother when they wanted to use the quilt for its practicality. The main meaning in the quilt was its use, not some vague superficial idea of heritage. Dee didn’t realize that the quilts did not just symbolize family heritage, but also served as an object for daily life. This physical object with clear uses helps keep the theme from becoming too