'Modernism In Paul Rand's Short Story Everyday Use'

Modernism means “integrity; it means honesty; it means the absence of sentimentality and the absence of nostalgia; it means simplicity; it means clarity.” This quote by Paul Rand demonstrates the bias towards modernism. However, there are pros and cons for both traditionalism and modernism. While traditionalism holds to conventional morals and ideas, modernism explores new concepts and leaves room for imagination. This is shown by the vaccine controversy, the short story “Everyday Use," and women’s roles throughout history. To begin, many people struggle with the idea of vaccinating their children. Vaccinations can be traced as far back as 1000 AD; however, many parents today still choose to avoid vaccinations for their young children (Should Any Vaccines 1). During the early centuries of vaccinations, parents were not obligated to vaccinate (Should Any Vaccines 1). Today, there are still some states that allow children to remain unvaccinated (Should Any Vaccines 1). Traditional parents choose to abstain …show more content…
While Mama and Maggie are more traditional, living in a humble home with dated technology, Dee is much more modern, living in the newest things she can find (Walker 1). When Dee visits her family, she views their necessary items as art and their indispensable utensils as frivolous (Walker 1). ‘“I can use the churn top as a centerpiece for the alcove table,” she said, sliding a plate over the churn, “and I'll think of something artistic to do with the dasher.”’ This quote by Dee shows how she views traditional kitchenware as modern art (Walker 1). Later, Dee asks her Mama for several old, handmade quilts for her to hang on her wall (Walker 1). Maggie, the more traditional sister, is furious that Dee wants to use good quilts as decor (Walker 1). These are just two examples of the themes of traditionalism and modernism in the story “Everyday