Everyday Use Short story by Alice Walker

Everyday Use Short story by Alice Walker

"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker is a short story that explores the themes of heritage, identity, and the conflict between tradition and modernity. The story revolves around a rural African-American family and the tension between two sisters, Dee and Maggie, over the family's heirloom quilts. The story is set in the late 1960s, a time of social and cultural change in the United States.

The protagonist, Mama, is a middle-aged African-American woman who lives in a small rural home with her younger daughter Maggie. Her elder daughter, Dee, has left home to attend college and has returned to visit Mama and Maggie. Dee has changed her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo and has adopted a more African identity, rejecting her family's rural heritage.


The conflict between Dee and Maggie centers on the quilts, which Mama has promised to give to Maggie when she marries. Dee wants the quilts for herself, seeing them as valuable artifacts of her African heritage. Mama is torn between her love for both her daughters and her desire to honor her promise to Maggie. Eventually, Mama decides to give the quilts to Maggie, who will use them as they were intended, rather than have them displayed as artifacts in Dee's home.


The story explores the complex relationship between heritage and identity, and how individuals choose to express their cultural and personal identities. Dee's rejection of her rural heritage in favor of a more abstract, exotic African identity is contrasted with Maggie's quiet acceptance of her family's traditions. The quilts themselves represent the family's history and traditions, and their use and preservation is symbolic of the family's connection to their heritage.


Walker's use of symbolism and imagery is a key feature of the story. The quilts are described in vivid detail, with their patterns and colors representing the family's history and traditions. The use of fire as a symbol of destruction and transformation is also significant, as Mama recalls the burning of their previous home and the loss of their family's history and possessions. The contrast between Dee's modern clothing and Maggie's traditional clothing is also symbolic of the conflict between tradition and modernity.


The story ultimately suggests that a person's cultural heritage is an important part of their identity, but that it should not be used to separate them from their family and community. Dee's rejection of her rural heritage is seen as a rejection of her family and their history, while Maggie's acceptance of her heritage allows her to connect with her family and community.

Summary Table:

Title	"Everyday Use"
Author	Alice Walker
Published	1973
Themes	Cultural heritage, identity, family
Narrator	Mother
Protagonists	Dee and Maggie
Conflict	Tension between preserving cultural heritage and embracing modernity
Significance	Importance of understanding and appreciating one's cultural heritage and the role it plays in shaping identity

In conclusion, "Everyday Use" is a powerful exploration of the themes of heritage, identity, and the conflict between tradition and modernity. The story is a reminder that our cultural heritage is an important part of who we are and that it is important to honor and preserve our family's traditions and history. The story also suggests that it is possible to embrace our cultural heritage while also embracing modernity and change.