Comparative Essay On Everyday Use By Alice Walker

Our views change, as we get older, and as we see more our perception of these things will change. As our views change so do we. In “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker we see a family of three Dee, Maggie, and Mama. Dee always being the more extravagant of the daughters with Maggie being more reserved and shy due to her burns as a child and being ashamed of them. Mama will come forward and upon reuniting her family, she will be able to see each daughter for who they are, in this, Mama will grow and gain a new perception of each daughter. In “Everyday Use” Dee, the preferred daughter of the household is coming home. While Maggie was staying at home with her mother, Dee was able to go to school in Augusta and attend college. The local church raised money for her to pursue an education past high school. It allowed her to explore life outside the confines of her family's lifestyle. Allowing her to get more in touch with her African heritage. Dee is described as being the child who “Made it.” by the mother. Mama views Dee as so successful she goes on to say “You've no doubt seen those TV shows …show more content…
In this story Mama learns that Dee who she thought would always best represent the family is no longer representing the family but African heritage. In an perception shift of each daughter Mama will realize that Maggie has held that emotional connection to the family heritage and history which Dee never had. For the first time in Maggie's life she won't just be getting the scraps of what's left over from her sister. The end of this story ends with Maggie and Mama sitting on the porch until night. Though this is not the first time they have sat on that porch this signals the beginning of a new relationship where Mama better understands both of her