In the 1970’s the African Americans made changes in their lives. They decided to finally live out their heritage instead of being ashamed for it. Alice walker’s acquainting short story “Everyday Use” exposes the misunderstanding of some of the 1970’s black society for its heritage through the character of Dee by her prideful and arrogant attitude.
When Dee was younger she was not proud to come from her black heritage. She knew she was smarter than a traditional black and wanted nicer things that what they could afford. “She used to read to us without pity…” Mrs. Johnson is stating that Dee had no concern if they (Maggie and herself) could or could not understand what she was reading to them. Mrs. Johnson did not finish school due to the school closing down “after the second grade” and Maggie “stumbles along” while trying to read. Dee was given the opportunity to go to school because her …show more content…
“No, Mama…not ‘Dee. ‘Wangero Leeewanika Kemanjo!” Dee is very boastful for her new name and is telling her mother she is no longer Dee and Dee is “dead.” By making these inspired changes, Dee has disrespected her mother and her true heritage. Dee was “named after…aunt Dicie”, Mrs. Johnson sister, who was called “Big Dee.” The name Dee has been passed about three generations and she “couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress” her. To change her name and make a statement as she did was an insult to her mother/heritage which was handled in a selfish manner. “…peeks…with a Polaroid” Dee get out her camera and starts taking pictures of the pasture and her mother’s house but, making sure Mrs. Johnson and Maggie are in the photos. She wants to photograph her hard life and display it so everyone can see what she made it out of. Dee used her education in a prideful and arrogant manner. She claimed Mrs. Johnson and Maggie “don’t understand” their heritage and that Maggie “ought to try to make something” of
When Dee was younger she was not proud to come from her black heritage. She knew she was smarter than a traditional black and wanted nicer things that what they could afford. “She used to read to us without pity…” Mrs. Johnson is stating that Dee had no concern if they (Maggie and herself) could or could not understand what she was reading to them. Mrs. Johnson did not finish school due to the school closing down “after the second grade” and Maggie “stumbles along” while trying to read. Dee was given the opportunity to go to school because her …show more content…
“No, Mama…not ‘Dee. ‘Wangero Leeewanika Kemanjo!” Dee is very boastful for her new name and is telling her mother she is no longer Dee and Dee is “dead.” By making these inspired changes, Dee has disrespected her mother and her true heritage. Dee was “named after…aunt Dicie”, Mrs. Johnson sister, who was called “Big Dee.” The name Dee has been passed about three generations and she “couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress” her. To change her name and make a statement as she did was an insult to her mother/heritage which was handled in a selfish manner. “…peeks…with a Polaroid” Dee get out her camera and starts taking pictures of the pasture and her mother’s house but, making sure Mrs. Johnson and Maggie are in the photos. She wants to photograph her hard life and display it so everyone can see what she made it out of. Dee used her education in a prideful and arrogant manner. She claimed Mrs. Johnson and Maggie “don’t understand” their heritage and that Maggie “ought to try to make something” of