Themes: Tradition, Heritage, and Ownership
One of the central questions in the story is this: Who defines Black heritage? Is it those who have the education to understand the legacy of slavery, or is it those who have remained close to the ancestral lands in the South?
Dee thinks that she is more deserving of the quilts than Maggie because she knows, as a result of having attended college, that the patchwork quilts have historical significance. In her view, her knowledge should supersede Mama’s promise to give the quilts to Maggie as a wedding present. By asserting her choice to give the quilts to Maggie, Mama maintains the tradition of handing them down to future generations—Maggie’s impending wedding carries the presumption that there will be future children—and she rejects Dee’s assumption that she knows better about how things ought to be put to use.
Dee asserts an attitude of entitlement soon after she arrives at the farm. She begins snapping Polaroids of Mama and Maggie without first asking for permission. This action turns her mother and sister into spectacles. They, like the churn and dasher and the quilts, are objects of interest—relics of a past to which Dee seeks connection, though she can only do so by establishing possession.
Dee’s method of connecting with her heritage is inauthentic because she can only make the connection through objects. She is far less interested in the lived experiences of other people, which is what the objects represent. This latter tendency means that she cannot understand heritage. Worse, her need to distinguish herself from Mama and Maggie also means that she is not yet ready to embrace the family that produced the quilts.
Expert Q&A
What do the butter churn and dasher symbolize in "Everyday Use"?
The butter churn and dasher in "Everyday Use" symbolize family heritage. For Mama Johnson and Maggie, these items represent a living heritage, honored by daily use. In contrast, Dee views them as artifacts to be preserved and displayed, reflecting her belief that heritage is something from the past to be kept rather than actively used.
In "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, what is ironic about her interest in her heritage and her request for certain objects?
The irony in Dee's interest in her heritage and her request for certain objects lies in her superficial understanding of heritage. She rejects her given name, tied to her grandmother, yet desires the quilts made by the same grandmother for display, not use. Dee's focus on African heritage ignores her family's American roots and the true value of their legacy, which her sister Maggie, who appreciates their heritage authentically, understands.
In American culture, what does a patchwork quilt symbolize?
In American culture, a patchwork quilt symbolizes family, resourcefulness, the connection between the past and present, creativity, and heritage. In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," the traditional family quilts symbolically represent the generational struggles and accomplishments of the Johnson family.
In "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, what does Dee mean by "It's really a new day for us."? Is it ironic in relation to her heritage?
When Dee says, "It's really a new day for us," she refers to modern opportunities for African-American women, embracing cultural movements like civil rights. However, her statement is ironic because, while she claims to value her heritage, her actions reveal a superficial appreciation. She criticizes her mother and sister for their traditional lifestyle, failing to understand their contentment and genuine connection to their heritage, contrasting her focus on material artifacts.
Why is Mama comfortable leaving the quilts for Maggie in "Everyday Use"?
Mama is comfortable leaving the quilts for Maggie because they symbolize a heritage Dee has rejected. Maggie appreciates and will use them as intended, unlike Dee, who views them as economic assets. Mama had promised the quilts to Maggie, who values them beyond their monetary worth. Giving the quilts to Maggie affirms her self-worth, fulfills Mama's promise, and feels morally right, reinforcing her love for Maggie while balancing her relationship with Dee.
In "Everyday Use," what values, beliefs, and priorities does Mama have?
Mama values tradition, hard work, and family connections. She appreciates what she has and does not focus on her life's hardships. Content with her simple life and her relationship with her youngest daughter, Maggie, Mama cherishes her heritage and believes in living it authentically. Although she wishes for a closer relationship with her daughter Dee, she realistically acknowledges that it may not happen. Her priorities are rooted in maintaining her cultural and familial legacy.
What is the paradox in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" when Dee wants the quilts promised to Maggie?
The paradox in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" arises when Dee demands the family quilts promised to her sister, Maggie. Dee, who once rejected her family's heritage and considered the quilts outdated, now values them for their aesthetic and monetary worth rather than their familial significance. This contradicts her previous disdain for her cultural roots. Dee's desire to display the quilts contrasts with Maggie's intent to use them, highlighting true appreciation versus superficial understanding.
In "Everyday Use," what items were important to the characters and why?
In "Everyday Use," the quilts are significant as they contain pieces of clothing from relatives dating back to the Civil War. Dee views them as artistic artifacts to be preserved and showcased, reflecting her desire for sophistication. In contrast, Maggie values them for their sentimental connection to family and heritage. Dee also sees the churn top and dasher as artistic rather than historical. Maggie's understanding of the quilts reflects her appreciation for family history and authenticity over appearance.
Dee's past hatred for the old house reflects her current actions in "Everyday Use."
Dee's past hatred for the old house is reflected in her current actions by her disdain for her family's way of life and her desire to claim cultural artifacts as symbols of heritage, rather than valuing their everyday use. This indicates a continued disconnection from her roots and a superficial appreciation of her heritage.
The meaning and implications of the title "Everyday Use" in Walker's story
The title "Everyday Use" in Walker's story refers to the different attitudes characters have towards heritage and practical items. Dee views family heirlooms as artistic and cultural artifacts, while her mother and sister see them as practical objects meant for daily use, reflecting their connection to their heritage in a living, functional manner.
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