Individual Values In Everyday Use By Alice Walker

The author of the short story, “Everyday Use”, is Alice Walker. She also wrote “The Color Purple” as well. The purpose of this story is to show the connection between two adults, Maggie and Dee, who have the same mother, but share different religious values that contribute to their African American heritage and roots. The main object that is used in the story is incorporated to widen the differences between the three main characters. The quilt represents how each individual values what has been passed down from generation to generation over time. Dee plays an important role in this short story. Dee says her name is now, “Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo” (Walker 2). She pronounces her name wrong and thinks that it is an African name, but it is really Islam. Dee changing her name represents her trying to get in touch with her true African American heritage. Dee feels that the quilts are supposed to be for show, as she says, "Hang them.” (Walker 2), she suggests that her value for the quilts is to keep them from getting messed up. Dee’s opinion about the quilts does not change her heritage, it just alters her individuality and mindset about what to do with them. To Dee they are meant for display, unlike Maggie who uses them as part of her daily routine.
In addition, Dee ventured out from …show more content…
Maggie stayed at home with her mother to be closer to her heritage and upbringing. Maggie’s mother says, “…She will marry John Thomas” (Walker 1). This symbolizes that Maggie stayed at home to marry someone from the same upbringing as her, which her mother approves of. Maggie marrying John Thomas symbolizes that she values her heritage and will not marry anyone that her mother disapproves of. Maggie’s mother wanted her to use the quilts as “Everyday Use” because this shows that she appreciates them and knows how important they are to her family. Maggie appreciates the simple things in life that Dee will never truly