Summary of “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker

In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," the author delves into the complexities of heritage and identity through the lens of a rural African American family. The narrative is set in the 1960s and revolves around a mother and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who have contrasting views on their cultural inheritance. The focus keyword, "Everyday Use summary," encapsulates the essence of the story as it highlights the differing perspectives on what heritage truly means. This essay explores how Walker uses characterization and symbolism to convey the theme that heritage is best appreciated when it is a living part of daily life, rather than an abstract concept or a mere artifact.

The Complexity of Heritage Through Characterization

Walker skillfully uses characterization to illustrate the divergent attitudes towards heritage held by Dee and Maggie. Dee, who is educated and worldly, views heritage as something to be showcased and admired. She arrives at her family's home, adorned in African garb, with a new name, Wangero, signifying her rejection of her immediate past in favor of a more generalized African identity. As noted by critic Barbara Christian in her analysis, Dee's transformation represents a superficial understanding of culture, one that is more performative than genuine (Christian, 1980). On the other hand, Maggie, who is shy and scarred from a childhood accident, embodies a more authentic connection to her roots. She is content with the life she leads and values the heirlooms not for their aesthetic or historical value, but for their personal significance. Through these characters, Walker demonstrates that a genuine appreciation of heritage involves embracing one's history as an intrinsic part of everyday life. By contrasting Dee's superficiality with Maggie's authenticity, the author underscores that heritage is not just about art and artifacts, but about lived experience and personal connections.

Symbolism and the Meaning of Everyday Use

Symbolism plays a crucial role in Walker's narrative, particularly through the quilts that are central to the story. These quilts, hand-stitched by the family's ancestors, are emblematic of the family's history and culture. Dee wishes to take them as a symbol of her heritage, intending to hang them as art pieces. However, for Maggie and their mother, the quilts represent a practical connection to their ancestors—items made to be used in everyday life. As literary scholar Susan Farrell points out, the quilts are a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of the women who came before them, embodying the notion that true heritage is both functional and meaningful (Farrell, 1998). The mother's decision to give the quilts to Maggie, who will use them as they were intended, reinforces the idea that heritage is not static but dynamic, evolving through use and engagement. This symbolism highlights the story's central message: that heritage should not be relegated to a museum-like existence but should be actively integrated into daily life.

The Role of Setting in Reinforcing Themes

The setting of "Everyday Use" further amplifies the story's themes by providing a backdrop that contrasts with Dee's modern, cosmopolitan lifestyle. The rural setting, with its simple, rustic home, symbolizes a life deeply connected to tradition and the land. This environment is a stark contrast to the urban world Dee has embraced, emphasizing the disconnect between her perception of heritage and that of her family. As scholar Trudier Harris highlights, the rural setting is integral to understanding the characters' relationship with their heritage, as it embodies a way of life that is intimately tied to family and community practices (Harris, 2003). The setting not only grounds the story in a specific cultural context but also serves as a metaphor for the enduring nature of true heritage—one that is lived and experienced rather than merely observed. Through this juxtaposition, Walker reinforces the notion that genuine heritage is rooted in everyday living and familial bonds, rather than in external appearances or superficial gestures.

Conclusion: Embracing Heritage in Everyday Life

In conclusion, Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of heritage and identity. Through the contrasting characters of Dee and Maggie, the symbolic significance of the quilts, and the evocative rural setting, Walker communicates the idea that heritage is most meaningful when it is an active part of everyday life. The story challenges readers to consider how they engage with their cultural inheritance and to recognize that true appreciation comes from understanding and integrating heritage into daily practices. By highlighting the difference between superficial and genuine connections to the past, Walker's narrative remains a poignant reminder of the value of embracing one's heritage in a living, breathing manner. This "Everyday Use summary" ultimately underscores the importance of personal history as an integral part of one's identity and the way it shapes everyday experiences.

• Christian, Barbara. "Everyday Use" in "Black Feminist Criticism: Perspectives on Black Women Writers." Pergamon Press, 1980.
• Farrell, Susan. "Quilting and the Art of Narrative in Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use.'" Southern Literary Journal, 1998.
• Harris, Trudier. "From Mammies to Militants: Domestics in Black American Literature." Temple University Press, 2003.

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