Alice Walkers Everyday Use _ Exploring The Theme Of Heritage ¦ 2022

Alice Walkers Everyday Use _ Exploring the Theme of Heritage

Alice Walker, “Everyday Use”

Explore how humor functions in that story. What is funny? How is humor implied by the story’s style or tone? Hoes humor help set forth a theme or reveal character? How do the elements of the story contribute to the humorous tone?

Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”: Exploring the Theme of Heritage

Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” is a story about the importance of heritage and family. It tells the story of a mother and her two daughters, Maggie and Dee. Maggie is the daughter who appreciates her family history and traditions, while Dee is the daughter who only cares about appearances. In this essay, we will explore the theme of heritage in “Everyday Use” and discuss how it affects the characters in the story.

The theme of heritage is evident in the way the characters view their family history. Maggie values her family history and traditions, while Dee only cares about appearances. Heritage is important to Maggie because it gives her a sense of identity and belonging. She knows who she is and where she comes from. Maggie’s sister, Dee, on the other hand, does not value her family history or traditions. To Dee, heritage is nothing more than a “burden” that she has to carry. She does not see the importance of family history or tradition; instead, she only cares about appearances.

The theme of heritage also affects the way the characters relate to each other. Maggie is close to her mother because she understands and values her family history. Dee, on the other hand, is distant from her mother because she does not understand or value her family history. Heritage is important to Maggie because it gives her a sense of connection to her mother. Dee’s lack of understanding and appreciation for heritage causes a rift between her and her mother.

In conclusion, the theme of heritage is an important aspect of Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”. It affects the way the characters view their family history and traditions, as well as the way they relate to each other. Heritage is important to Maggie because it gives her a sense of identity and belonging. Dee’s lack of understanding and appreciation for heritage causes a rift between her and her mother. The theme of heritage is an important aspect of “Everyday Use” that should not be overlooked.

Do you agree with the way the characters view their family history? Do you think heritage is important to Maggie? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

Everyday Use

When I looked at her like that something hit me in the top of my head and ran down to the soles of my feet. Just like when I’m in church and the spirit of God touches me and I get happy and shout. I did something I never done before: hugged Maggie to me, then dragged her on into the room, snatched the quilts out of Miss Wangero’s hands and dumped them into Maggie’s lap. Maggie just sat there on my bed with her mouth open.

“Take one or two of the others,” I said to Dee.

But she turned without a word and went out to Hakim-a-barber.

“You just don’t understand,” she said, as Maggie and I came out to the car.

“What don’t I understand?” I wanted to know.

“Your heritage,” she said, And then she turned to Maggie, kissed her, and said, “You ought to try to make something of yourself too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live you’d never know it.”

She put on some sunglasses that hid everything above the tip of her nose and chin.

Maggie smiled; maybe at the sunglasses. But a real smile, not scared. After we watched the car dust settle I asked Maggie to bring me a dip of snuff. And then the two of us sat there just enjoying, until it was time to go in the house and go to bed.

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