everyday use alice walker pdf
Everyday Use by Alice Walker is a poignant exploration of heritage, cultural identity, and generational tensions within an African-American family, offering insights into tradition vs. modernity.
1.1 Overview of the Short Story
Everyday Use by Alice Walker revolves around Mama, a rural African-American woman, and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who embody contrasting attitudes toward their heritage. The story explores themes of identity, tradition, and modernity through the conflict over family heirlooms, particularly quilts. Dee, the educated daughter, seeks to preserve these items as symbols of her cultural roots, while Maggie, the younger sister, values them for their everyday use. This clash highlights the tension between heritage as a cherished tradition and its practical significance in daily life.
1.2 Publication and Context
Everyday Use was first published in April 1973 in Harper’s Magazine and later included in Alice Walker’s short story collection In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. The story is set in the rural South and reflects the cultural and historical context of the African-American experience during the 1970s. It captures the essence of the Black Empowerment Movement, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Walker’s work during this period was deeply influenced by her commitment to Black feminism and the preservation of African-American culture.
1.3 Themes and Significance
Everyday Use delves into themes of heritage, identity, and cultural preservation, highlighting the tension between embracing tradition and adopting modernity. The story emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s roots and the significance of everyday objects as symbols of cultural heritage. Walker explores the clash between generations, particularly through the contrasting views of Dee and her mother, illustrating the struggle to balance pride in one’s heritage with the desire for self-improvement and societal acceptance. This narrative underscores the deeper complexities of African-American culture and identity.
Plot Summary of “Everyday Use”
Everyday Use centers on a rural African-American family, focusing on Mama’s anticipation of her daughter Dee’s visit; The story explores generational conflicts over heritage and identity, culminating in a clash over family heirlooms, particularly quilts, symbolizing tradition and cultural roots. The narrative highlights the tension between modern aspirations and the preservation of family history, ultimately emphasizing the enduring value of cultural heritage in everyday life.
2.1 Setting and Characters
The story is set in the rural South, where Mama, the narrator, lives with her younger daughter Maggie in a modest house. The yard, meticulously cleaned by Mama, serves as a central gathering place. Mama is a strong, wise woman deeply rooted in her heritage, while Maggie is shy and scarred, embodying the family’s traditional values. Dee, the older daughter, returns home educated and modern, rejecting her rural upbringing. The setting reflects the simplicity of rural life, contrasting with Dee’s aspirations, and highlights the characters’ distinct connections to their heritage.
2.2 The Visit of Dee
Dee’s visit to her family home sparks tension, as her modern, educated persona clashes with the rural simplicity of her upbringing. She arrives with a newfound consciousness of her African heritage, seeking family heirlooms like quilts to preserve her roots. However, her mother and Maggie view her actions as superficial, noting that Dee’s appreciation for these items is more about display than genuine connection. The visit highlights Dee’s struggle with her identity and her complicated relationship with her family’s traditions, revealing a disconnect between her aspirations and her heritage. Her presence ignites a deeper exploration of cultural values.
2.3 Conflict Over Heritage
The conflict arises as Dee, embracing her African roots, seeks to claim family heirlooms like quilts, viewing them as symbols of cultural heritage. Her mother and Maggie, however, see these items as practical, everyday objects tied to family traditions. Dee’s desire to preserve heritage clashes with her family’s simple, unassuming way of life, highlighting the tension between cultural appreciation and lived experience. This clash reflects deeper struggles of identity, tradition, and the meaning of heritage in a changing world, ultimately revealing contrasting views on how to honor one’s roots. Heritage becomes a source of both connection and division.
2.4 Resolution and Ending
The story reaches its resolution when Mama stands her ground, refusing to give Dee the cherished quilts, recognizing Maggie’s deeper connection to their heritage. Dee, frustrated, leaves with her boyfriend, symbolizing her detachment from her roots. Maggie, comforted by her mother, remains, embodying the quiet strength of tradition. The ending underscores the triumph of authentic, lived heritage over superficial cultural appropriation, highlighting the enduring value of family bonds and the simple, everyday practices that sustain cultural identity. Mama’s decision reflects a quiet empowerment, affirming her role as guardian of family traditions.
Main Characters in “Everyday Use”
The story revolves around Mama, the strong, narrator mother; Dee, the educated, estranged daughter; and Maggie, the shy, loyal younger daughter, embodying contrasting views on heritage.
3.1 Mama: The Narrator and Mother
Mama, the first-person narrator, is a strong, elderly African-American woman living in the rural South. She awaits her daughter Dee’s visit, having cleaned the yard meticulously. Mama embodies practical wisdom, raising her daughters with love and resilience. Her loyalty to Maggie is evident, contrasting with her complex feelings toward Dee. Mama’s perspective reflects her deep connection to her home and heritage, viewing tradition as something lived rather than displayed. Her voice anchors the story, offering insights into family dynamics and cultural identity. Mama’s simplicity and honesty highlight her authentic engagement with her roots.
3.2 Dee: The Educated Daughter
Dee, the older daughter, is a self-conscious, educated woman who has distanced herself from her rural upbringing. Her education has made her aware of her heritage, but she rejects traditional practices, seeking a modern identity. Dee views family heirlooms like quilts as artifacts for display, not everyday use, reflecting her conflicted relationship with her roots. Her renaming to Wangero symbolizes her quest for cultural reconnection, yet her approach contrasts sharply with Maggie’s simple, loyal embrace of their heritage, highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity in her character.
3.3 Maggie: The Younger Daughter
Maggie, the younger daughter, embodies simplicity and loyalty to her family’s traditions. Unlike Dee, she values their heritage through everyday use, cherishing objects like quilts as living connections to their past. Maggie’s shy and unassuming nature contrasts with Dee’s assertiveness, highlighting her deep emotional bond with their mother and cultural roots. Her quiet acceptance of her role reflects a humble yet authentic engagement with their family’s history, making her a symbol of enduring tradition in the face of modernity and change.
Themes in “Everyday Use”
The story explores themes of heritage, identity, tradition vs. modernity, gender roles, and cultural appropriation, highlighting tensions between preserving the past and embracing change.
4.1 Heritage and Identity
Heritage and identity are central themes in Everyday Use. The story contrasts Dee’s rejection of her rural roots with Maggie’s embrace of their family’s cultural legacy. Dee, educated and modern, seeks to claim artifacts like quilts as symbols of her heritage, but her mother sees her actions as superficial. Maggie, simpler and less educated, embodies a deeper, more authentic connection to their heritage through her everyday interactions with traditional objects. This tension reflects the broader struggle within African-American communities to balance pride in one’s roots with the allure of modernity and self-reinvention.
4.2 Tradition vs. Modernity
In Everyday Use, tradition and modernity clash through Dee and Maggie. Dee, educated and modern, views heritage as artifacts to display, while Maggie embodies tradition, using items like quilts practically; This contrast highlights Walker’s exploration of cultural preservation versus modern reinterpretation, emphasizing the quilts as both cherished heirlooms and functional items, illustrating the tension between honoring heritage and embracing contemporary life.
4.3 Gender Roles and Feminism
Everyday Use examines gender roles and feminism through its female characters. Mama, the narrator, embodies strength and self-sufficiency, challenging traditional gender roles. Dee, the educated daughter, represents feminist ideals by pursuing independence and rejecting societal expectations tied to her past. Maggie, the shy and domestically inclined sister, reflects more traditional gender roles. Walker’s portrayal of these characters highlights the tension between female independence and societal norms, emphasizing the complexity of women’s roles in African-American culture and the struggle for self-definition. The story underscores the diversity of feminist expressions within the Black community.
4.4 Cultural Appropriation
Everyday Use delves into cultural appropriation through Dee’s rejection of her heritage. Dee, embracing modernity, seeks to claim family heirlooms like quilts as artifacts of her roots, yet her detachment from their original purpose symbolizes appropriation. While Maggie values the quilts as functional, emotional ties, Dee views them as symbols of identity to display, reflecting a disconnect from their cultural significance. This contrast highlights the tension between preserving heritage and commodifying it, underscoring Walker’s critique of how cultural practices can be exploited or misunderstood in the pursuit of identity.
Symbolism in “Everyday Use”
Quilts and the family name symbolize heritage and identity, contrasting Dee’s modern detachment with Maggie’s traditional connection, highlighting the struggle to preserve cultural legacy in a changing world.
5.1 The Quilts
The quilts in Everyday Use are powerful symbols of family heritage and cultural identity. Made from scraps of ancestral clothing, they represent the history and struggles of the Johnson family. Dee, who seeks to display them as art, views the quilts as a connection to her roots, while Maggie intends to use them for their practical purpose. This contrast highlights the tension between preserving heritage and integrating it into daily life, reflecting deeper themes of tradition and modernity.
5.2 The Family Name
The family name in Everyday Use symbolizes cultural heritage and identity. Dee’s decision to rename herself “Wangero” reflects her rejection of her ancestral past, seeking a connection to African roots. In contrast, Maggie and Mama retain the family name, embodying loyalty to their heritage. This naming conflict underscores the tension between embracing modern identity and honoring traditional roots, highlighting Walker’s exploration of cultural authenticity and self-discovery.
5.3 The Yard and House
The yard and house in Everyday Use symbolize the family’s heritage and connection to their past. Mama meticulously maintains the yard, treating it as a living space, while the house represents their humble, rural existence. These settings contrast with Dee’s modern aspirations, highlighting the tension between traditional life and urban ambitions. The yard, swept like a floor, embodies Mama’s pride and simplicity, while the house stands as a testament to their enduring roots, reflecting Walker’s exploration of cultural continuity and the significance of everyday spaces in preserving identity.
Stylistic Elements
Alice Walker employs a first-person narrative, vivid dialogue, and rich imagery in Everyday Use, creating an intimate portrayal of rural life and cultural tensions through Mama’s voice.
6.1 First-Person Narrative
Alice Walker’s use of a first-person narrative in Everyday Use allows Mama to share her perspective, offering an intimate glimpse into her life and emotions. This narrative choice creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity, drawing readers into the world of the Johnson family. Through Mama’s voice, Walker explores themes of heritage, identity, and family dynamics, providing a personal and relatable account of the conflicts between tradition and modernity. The first-person perspective ensures that the story remains deeply rooted in Mama’s experiences and perceptions.
6.2 Use of Dialogue
In Everyday Use, Alice Walker employs dialogue to reveal character traits and heighten tension. Conversations between Mama, Dee, and Maggie expose their differing values and perspectives. Dee’s polished, educated speech contrasts with Maggie’s shy, simple dialogue, highlighting their distinct relationships with their heritage. The exchanges also underscore the generational divide, as Dee’s modern aspirations clash with Mama’s traditional views. Walker uses dialogue to subtly convey emotions and conflicts, making the characters’ interactions feel authentic and emotionally charged. This technique effectively advances the story’s themes of identity and cultural heritage.
6.3 Imagery and Description
Alice Walker uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to enhance the story’s themes and setting. The yard, described as a “clean sweep of the yard,” symbolizes simplicity and tradition. Dee’s flashy appearance contrasts with the humble surroundings, emphasizing her disconnect from her roots. The quilts, with their intricate patterns and family history, serve as powerful symbols of heritage. Walker’s descriptions of the house and its surroundings evoke a sense of rural simplicity, while the characters’ appearances and mannerisms reflect their identities and values, creating a rich, immersive narrative experience for readers.
Cultural and Historical Context
Everyday Use is set against the backdrop of the Black Empowerment Movement, exploring African-American culture and identity. The story reflects the societal changes and heritage of the 1970s.
7.1 African-American Culture
African-American culture is central to Everyday Use, highlighting the significance of heritage and identity. The story portrays the struggles and preservation of Black traditions, emphasizing the importance of cultural roots and community values. Walker uses the Johnson family’s experiences to illustrate the richness of African-American heritage, from the quilts symbolizing family history to the names reflecting ancestral connections. This cultural backdrop serves as a foundation for exploring themes of identity and the clash between tradition and modernity in the lives of African-Americans during the 1970s.
7.2 The Black Empowerment Movement
Everyday Use reflects the Black Empowerment Movement of the 1970s, emphasizing pride in African-American identity and self-dignity. Dee’s transformation, symbolized by her name change to Wangero, embodies this movement’s ideals of reclaiming and celebrating one’s heritage. However, Walker critiques superficial expressions of empowerment, contrasting Dee’s politicized identity with her family’s quiet, authentic connection to their roots. The story highlights the tension between intellectual appropriation of Black culture and the lived experiences of those who preserve traditions through everyday life, underscoring the complexity of empowerment and identity.
7.3 Rural vs. Urban Life
Rural vs. urban life in Everyday Use symbolizes the divide between tradition and modernity. The story portrays Mama and Maggie living a simple, rural life, deeply connected to their land and heritage, while Dee represents urban sophistication and education. The contrast highlights the tension between preserving cultural roots and embracing progress. Walker uses this dichotomy to explore how rural life embodies authenticity and continuity, whereas urban influences often lead to disconnection from one’s origins. This theme underscores the struggle of balancing heritage with the allure of modern identity.
Critical Analysis
Everyday Use critiques the tension between modernity and tradition, exploring heritage through generational conflict. Walker examines cultural identity, power dynamics, and the subjective narrative voice shaping perceptions.
8.1 Generational Conflict
The generational divide in Everyday Use is a central theme, highlighting the clash between Mama and Dee. Mama represents tradition, while Dee embodies modernity and self-discovery. Their differing views on heritage create tension, with Dee seeking to reclaim her roots through material objects, while Mama values the practical, emotional significance of these items. This conflict reflects broader societal shifts, as younger generations often challenge traditional values in pursuit of identity and progress. Walker’s portrayal underscores the complexity of cultural heritage and generational understanding.
8.2 Power Dynamics
In Everyday Use, power dynamics are evident through the shifting relationships between Mama, Dee, and Maggie. Dee’s education and modern outlook grant her a sense of superiority, while Mama’s traditional role as caregiver and decision-maker is challenged. The struggle over the quilts symbolizes Dee’s attempt to reclaim cultural authority, contrasting with Mama’s quiet resistance. This tension reflects broader societal power imbalances, particularly between generations and genders, as well as the clash between intellectual and emotional forms of authority. Walker highlights how power is both asserted and subtly subverted within familial hierarchies.
8.3 Representation of Black Feminism
Everyday Use is a powerful representation of Black Feminism, exploring the intersections of race, gender, and identity. Walker portrays Mama and her daughters as embodiments of resilience and cultural preservation, challenging patriarchal norms. Dee’s transformation into Wangero symbolizes her reclaiming of African heritage, while Mama’s quiet strength and Maggie’s loyalty reflect the enduring power of Black women’s traditions. The story critiques external definitions of identity, celebrating the authenticity of Black women’s lives and their resistance to oppressive systems, making it a landmark of Black Feminist literature.
Comparison with Other Works by Alice Walker
Everyday Use mirrors themes from The Color Purple, such as female empowerment and cultural identity, showcasing Walker’s consistent exploration of African-American women’s struggles and resilience through storytelling.
9.1 Similar Themes in The Color Purple
Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Everyday Use share themes of African-American identity, cultural heritage, and female empowerment. Both works critique societal norms and explore the struggles of Black women. While The Color Purple delves into Celie’s journey of self-discovery and resistance, Everyday Use examines generational conflicts over heritage. Both stories highlight the tension between preserving tradition and embracing modernity, reflecting Walker’s commitment to exploring the complexities of Black womanhood and cultural identity. These parallel themes underscore Walker’s consistent focus on race, gender, and personal empowerment in her writing.
9.2 Common Character Archetypes
Alice Walker’s works often feature strong, resilient female characters navigating identity and cultural challenges. In Everyday Use and The Color Purple, archetypes like the wise matriarch and the independent, educated woman recur. Mama in Everyday Use and Shug in The Color Purple embody wisdom and strength, guiding younger characters. Both stories also portray struggles of self-definition, reflecting Walker’s exploration of Black womanhood and empowerment. These archetypes highlight the enduring themes of resilience and identity in her writing.
9.3 Style and Tone
Alice Walker’s Everyday Use is crafted with a reflective and emotional tone, emphasizing the narrator’s deep connection to her heritage. The first-person narrative voice, often conversational and intimate, adds authenticity to the storytelling. Walker’s style blends simplicity with profound cultural insights, mirroring the raw honesty of rural African-American life. This tone is consistent with her other works, such as The Color Purple, where vernacular language and vivid imagery enrich the narrative. The emotional depth and nuanced dialogue in Everyday Use highlight Walker’s ability to explore complex themes through a relatable and engaging style.
Impact and Legacy of “Everyday Use”
Everyday Use remains a celebrated exploration of heritage and identity, holding significant academic value and influencing discussions on African-American cultural legacy and tradition.
10;1 Academic Significance
Everyday Use is widely studied in academic settings for its exploration of cultural identity, heritage, and generational conflict, making it a cornerstone of African-American literary studies. Its themes resonate deeply in discussions about tradition, modernity, and family dynamics, offering rich material for critical analysis. The story’s accessibility and depth have made it a frequent inclusion in anthologies and syllabi, ensuring its continued relevance in scholarly discourse and educational curricula.
10.2 Popular Reception
Everyday Use has garnered significant popularity for its relatable themes of identity, heritage, and family dynamics. Readers appreciate its accessible language and universal appeal, making it a favorite in both academic and general audiences. The story’s exploration of cultural tensions resonates broadly, particularly among those interested in African-American experiences. Its frequent inclusion in anthologies and literary collections further underscores its enduring popularity and relevance, solidifying its place as one of Walker’s most celebrated works.
10.3 Influence on Other Writers
Everyday Use has significantly influenced contemporary writers, particularly in exploring themes of cultural identity and heritage. Its nuanced portrayal of generational conflicts and the tension between tradition and modernity has inspired many authors to delve into similar narratives. Walker’s storytelling techniques, such as her use of first-person narrative and symbolic objects, have set a benchmark for writers examining African-American experiences. The story’s exploration of Black feminism and cultural appropriation has also encouraged writers to address these issues with depth and sensitivity, making it a foundational text in modern literary studies.
Everyday Use remains a powerful exploration of identity, heritage, and cultural preservation, offering timeless insights into the complexities of African-American life and familial bonds.
11.1 Summary of Key Points
Everyday Use by Alice Walker explores themes of heritage, identity, and cultural preservation through the lens of a rural African-American family. The story centers on Mama, who narrates the conflict between her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, over their differing views on heritage. Dee, educated and modern, seeks to reclaim her roots through material objects, while Maggie embodies a quiet, traditional connection to their culture. The quilts symbolize the family’s history and the tension between preserving and using heritage. Walker highlights the importance of understanding and embracing one’s cultural legacy in everyday life, emphasizing the emotional and symbolic value of heritage over superficial possession.
11.2 Final Thoughts on the Story’s Relevance
Everyday Use remains a powerful exploration of cultural identity, heritage, and family dynamics, resonating deeply with readers today. Walker’s nuanced portrayal of generational conflict and the tension between tradition and modernity offers universal lessons about understanding and valuing one’s roots. The story’s emphasis on the emotional and symbolic significance of heritage underscores its relevance in contemporary discussions about culture, identity, and belonging. Through its vivid characters and timeless themes, Everyday Use continues to inspire reflection on the importance of preserving and honoring cultural legacy.