Everyday Use Group

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tee2009
tee2009
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Why was "Everyday Use" not written from Dee's point of view?

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Posted by tee2009 on Tuesday October 13, 2009 at 10:05 AM and tagged with everyday use, point of view.

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  1. scarletpimpernel Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This is purely subjective, but I believe that Alice Walker chooses Mrs. Johnson (the mother) as the narrator so that readers can see several different perspectives of what heritage and culture mean.  Through Mrs. Johnson's eyes, Walker describes Maggie and the hardships she has endured along with her practical view of her heritage and heirlooms.  In contrast, Mrs. Johnson demonstrates a slight bias in her attitude toward Dee, because she portrays her as someone who feels superior to her own mother and sister and who does not place real value on the traditions of the Johnson family.

    If Walker had chosen Dee has the narrator, readers would have gotten her modern view of African-American culture but most likely would not have known Maggie's true feelings and worth as a person.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/everyday-use/style

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    Posted by scarletpimpernel on Tuesday October 13, 2009 at 12:33 PM