Alice Dee Analysis

Register to read the introduction… In one situation in describing Dee’s high acquisitive approach to life, Mama recalls, “Often I fought off the temptation to shake her. At sixteen she had a style of her own: and knew what style was” (Walker, 61). Notice that Mama does not confront her daughter and instead she “fought off the temptation.” In another scene, where their house burns down and Dee has no remorse towards the situation, Mama proclaims, “Why don’t you do a dance around the ashes? I’d wanted to ask her. She had hated the house that much” (Walker, 61). The key comment in the last sentence is “I’d wanted to ask her.” Mama wanted to but she didn’t. Which then raises the question why did she not confront Dee? Certainly, there are probably several different ways to answer this question, however one that stands out is the idea that Mama was insecure of her education. “I never had an education myself. After second grade the school was closed down. Don’t ask me why: in 1927 colored asked fewer questions that they do now” (Walker, 61). She claims she was raised to be silent, or ask “fewer questions”. For historically, readers know that the early 1900’s was a …show more content…
For she goes on to describe that the quilts contain, “scraps of dresses Grandma Dee had worn fifty and more years ago. Bits and pieces of Grandpa Jarrell's Paisley shirts. And one teeny faded blue piece . . . that was from Great Grandpa Ezra's uniform that he wore in the Civil War" (Walker, 65). These quilts, which have become an heirloom, not only represent the family, but are an integral part of the family. A concept in which Dee, could just not possibly understand. Mama then grasps the quilts out of Dee’s clutch and places them on Maggie’s lap, for Maggie knows that the quilts are personal and emotional rather than by any means financial (p.66). These quilts are for “Everyday