Character Analysis Of Mama In Everyday Use

Mama, the protagonist in Alice Walker's short story, Everyday Use is a woman with a solid foundation and tough roots. The qualities that society would find admirable within Mama are the same qualities that Dee, Mama's oldest daughter, would spurn, thinking them only the qualities of a down home, uneducated, country bumpkin. Dee, the story's main antagonist, is proof that children are not necessarily products of their environment.

“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, is a story of a black family composed of a mother and her two daughters: Maggie and Dee. Walker does an excellent job illustrating her characters. There are all types of characters in this short story from round to static. Dee is a flat character, yet Walker uses Dee’s character to warn people of what might happen if they do not live properly. Walker describes Dee’s character as arrogant and selfish, and through Dee’s character one is allowed to perceive the wicked effect of an egotistical world.

In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use" Mama is the narrator. She speaks of her family of two daughters Maggie and Dee. Through the eyes of two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who have chosen to live their lives in very different manners, the reader can choose which character to identify most with by judging what is really important in one’s life. Throughout the story three themes consistently show. These themes show that the family is separated by shame, knowledge, and pride.

Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” is a short story about the family relationship between a mother and her spoiled daughter. The mother, who is affectionately called “Mama” throughout the story, lives with her younger daughter, Maggie. The older child is Dee, who has not lived at home since she was sent to Augusta to school. She is preoccupied with advancing her social status and acquiring nice things. “Dee wanted nice things. A yellow Organdy dress to wear to her graduation from high school; black pumps to match a green suit…” (Walker,492). The story revolves around Dee’s visit to see Mama and Maggie, an event which obviously does not happen often. Dee only seems to visit the family in order to claim items that Mama has not yet given to her children. As usual, Mama allows Dee to come inside the home and take whatever she wants. Yet, the relationship between Mama and Dee is a complicated one. Others may say that their relationship is strained because Dee burned their first house down. However, there is no direct proof that Dee is responsible for the fire. Their relationship is contentious and uneasy because Dee is very selfish, she wants to advance her life without considering others, mainly Maggie, and she resents that Mama is satisfied with a simple life.

The story 'Everyday Use', written by Alice Walker, is a story of heritage, pride, and learning what kind of person you really are. In the exposition, the story opens with background information about Dee and Maggie's life, which is being told by Mama. The reader learns that Dee was the type of child that had received everything that she wanted, while Maggie was the complete opposite. The crisis, which occurs later in the story, happens when Dee all of a sudden comes home a different person than she was when she left. During the Climax, Mama realizes that she has often neglected her other child, Maggie, by always giving Dee what she wants. Therefore, in the resolution, Mama defends Maggie by telling Dee that she cannot have the

Mama resembles an individual who has high hopes for her children no matter what they have given to her in return. Mama is a “large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands” (109). In addition, Mama “can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man” (109). Mama’s other house was burned to the ground and she can sometimes she can “still hear the flames” (110). In addition, Mama goes through many hard times, but she always stays strong so she can be a wonderful mother to her kids. Mama is a strong, loving mother who is willing to do anything for her children.

“Everyday Use” was written by Alice Walker. It was first written 1973 and appeared in the short story collection In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women (1973) .The story is set place in between the late 1960s and early 1970s at mama’s house and yard in rural Georgia. African Americans are gradually gaining civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s.The newer generation became where the some were intent to leave the horrors of the past behind them, while others couldn’t escape the presence of poverty and inequality. This story happens when these two world meet up.

Thesis: In Alice Walker short story “Everyday Use”, Mama embodies the idea of everyday use by being dedicated, skilled, and a hard working.

At that mental state in mind kept her in bondage. Maggie was in a house fire and the result of being in that house fire leaves her at the center of her life. Always was afraid, Mama even stated, “Poor thing scared of her own shadow”. The effect of fear had her in a stronghold and didn’t even notice it. For an example, Maggie was

Alice M. Walker is an American novelist, short story writer, poet, and activist and wrote the short story, Everyday Use in 1973. Mama is in the yard with her daughter Maggie. They had spent the day before cleaning the yard that they call “comfortable” and “an extended living room” to prepare for their estranged daughter Dee that they have not seen in many years. Mama says that Maggie will be nervous throughout the stay of her sister due to her scars from the house fire. Mama foresees an idealistic reunion with her well to do daughter. Mama explains that she is a heavy set woman, big boned, rough working man hands. Dee was sent to Augusta to school, Mama and others helped finance to help her go. Dee became arrogant, prideful, scornful, and resentful of her family. They stood to their backs to the house and waited for Dee’s arrival. When they see Dee approach Maggie tries to flee back to the house but Mama calls her back. Mama sees Dee’s exit along with a short stocky man out of the vehicle. Dee then takes a picture of the two woman in the yard with a Polaroid camera. Dee explains that she has changed her name to Wangero to a name that is more connected to her African roots. They go to the kitchen and Dee sees objects that to most are ordinary old objects and she wants. She especially wanted the things Uncle Buddy had made. After they ate Dee and Mama went to a trunk at the foot of the bed and Dee pulls out old quilts made by Dee’s grandmother. Dee askes if she could have

The other woman in the story and also the narrator, Mama is very vocal about her hidden thoughts on what is beauty and what is not. This is seen throughout the text from her description of Maggie, herself and then to Dee (Wagero). When describing herself she gives manly attributes not at all what is attractive for a woman. She describes the real her as, “In real life I am a large, big boned woman with rough, man working hands… Although I never was a good singer.

It has been said that “One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” What should matter is being true to oneself and loving the person that you have become. This short story is narrated by Mama who is telling her story of her two daughters, Dee and Maggie. Both daughters live their lives in very different ways. In Dee's case, she goes out to make all that she can of herself while leaving her mother and sister behind. Maggie stays at home with their Mama and makes the most out of what surrounds her. All three ladies have different perspectives of their own heritage and identity. The conflict in “Everyday Use” is that Mama has these two daughters fighting over a quilt. In the end, readers will find that what matters most is not forgetting where you come from and who you are as a person. In “Everyday Use” Alice Walker emphasizes to her readers the importance of self-identities and family through her use of conflict, setting, and characterization, suggesting that sometimes people are so motivated in pleasing others while neglecting the things that matter to them the most.

Introduction: The short story called ‘Everyday Use’’ has multiple similarities and a few differences from my family. When I read this story I actually thought Mama’s family and mines was related,because we’re so much alike. Mama’s girls (Dee and Maggie) didn’t really have a bond they basically passed words more than they bonded. You’d think because they were sisters, they’d get along. I think this short story ‘’Everyday Use’’ the author Alice Walker did a very splendid job with this story with the specific details she gave in the story. Everyday Use was a really interesting story, it really caught my attention by reading the whole short story.

It’s really a new day for us. But the way you and mama still live you’d never know it” (Walker, 1973/2011, pp. 1093). The first impression of the story was why did the author title the story “Everyday Use” and what was the meaning behind it. After reading the story for the second time, I understood the strategies Alice Walker use to help convey the readers comprehend the life lesson of valuing family and the heritage. Some portions of the reading stood out to me such as how the mother did not earn a full education, she work like a man, how Maggie hid behind her scars, and envy her sister, and the important facts of how Dee look down on her mother and sister. The portions stood out because it help me to understand the theme and meaning behind the story. I believe Alice Walker was writing to any, and everyone who may forget where they come from and who they are. The story makes a valuable point that lets individuals know it is not where you come from, but what you gain makes you the individual you are.

In the short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker the character Mama lives with her daughter on a pasture. She seems to be happy with her life. She is a mother of two daughters, Dee and Maggie. She also lives in a house with many items that she holds dear to herself. Mama seems to be a loving mother, proud woman and she cares about her family heritage.