Everyday Use Group

Topic: What suggests that Maggie is younger than Dee?

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1

aschmeckpeper

Is there anything in the story that suggests that Maggie is the younger sister?

2

Dee is described as being faster, more capable, more outspoken in the beginning of the story...there is an air that she is the first born.  Dee also is the outgoing popular and self-assured one which comes from being a leader (a first-born characteristic).  Maggie is described as being a child when the housefire occurs...an indication that she is the smaller, younger of the two sisters.

3

mshurn

In reply to #1:

Maggie does not argue with Dee or stand up for herself. She is very accustomed to deferring to Dee, just as a younger sister might well develop the habit of giving in to an older, more dominant sibling. Dee left home first, suggesting that she was the first sister to come of age. Also, Maggie stayed home and developed a very tender and loving relationship with her mother. This may suggest her role as "the baby" in the family.

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