What Is The Point Of View Of Everyday Use By Alice Walker

Tuten shows her readers that what Dee wants is superficial and that Maggie has a better understanding of heritage. Susan Farrell states in her article that in the story, Mama’s views of Maggie are not accurate. She makes the point that perhaps Mama’s views of Dee are not accurate either, because the story is told from Mama point of view and we never hear Dee’s side of the story (179). Farrell believes that Mama views Dee as a sort of goddess, she may even envy her. Susan states that, “Dee inspires in Mama a type of awe and fear more suitable to the advent of a goddess that the love one might expect a mother to feel for a returning daughter” (180). Later in the article, Farrell makes the point that what Mama’s thinks Dee wants may not actually be what she wants. This could just be a perception of what Dee wants. Farrell also points out other instances in the story that shows Dees actions contradicting Mama’s thoughts.

“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.

A daughter who uses her mother's gifts in contrast to a daughter who preserves them, is far more valuable just like in “Everyday use” by Alice Walker because heritage values can be preserved. From here on, Walker utilizes a prideful tone which later shifts into an authoritative tone by illustrating a proud mother who becomes defensive because of her modern daughter’s opposing views.

Momma's point of view defines how she feels about her daughters and the degrees of separation that exist between the two girls. Momma describes Maggie as a partially educated child who does not look as appealing as her older sister. Maggie was burned in a house fire that left her scared all over her body. She does not wear revealing clothes, nor does she attract men as Dee does. Dee, on the other hand, is described as an educated young woman who is ready to take on any and every adventure. Momma says that Dee used to read to her and Maggie without pity (94). She describes Dee as the stylish child; she always prepared dresses out of momma's old suits and is always up on the current style. Momma likes the different qualities Dee possesses, but she is slightly threatened because they are unfamiliar to her. From the description that momma gives of her daughters the reader can feel the differences that exist in her thoughts about her daughters.

While Maggie was a very shy person who loved her mother and liked their way of living and didn't wanted to travel away like Dee did. Mama was an uneducated woman but was confident about herself and liked her way of living and she looked about herself as a hero that she was very poor but she was able to well educate her children and to make them not to be like her and she was tough person who worked anything to get money for her children just to make them better than her and well

While the two sisters perspectives on heritage contrast each other, Walker employs a case of dramatic irony to prove that Dee's perspective is wrong, which automatically proves that Maggie is right, considering their opposite characteristics. Dee

Mama shows favoritism towards Maggie because of her disability. Maggie’s disability allows Mama to become closer with Maggie instead of Dee. Dee wanted to be sent off to school to get away from the rural and deficiency lifestyle. Mama and Maggie gain a close bond while Dee is away. Maggie appreciated their heritage and did not mind staying with Mama and doing household work. Mama’s viewpoint on Maggie is more appreciative than her views on Dee.

Through humorous comments, the mother paints a picture of what she is thinking, and allows the audience to see her as she is, and not as the world and those around her perceive her to be. Specifically the mother describes the characters appearance, and actions, as well as offers analogies, such as mothers on T.V. To support her view of reality, or how things really were, in her opinion. As the story progressed, she reveals cultural differences between Mama, Maggie and Dee. Walker also points out the importance of respecting your immediate heritage such as parents, and other family, and truly knowing and internalizing the real meaning of racial

Within all human lives lies possessions, in which define, entice, and support humans everyday lives. More importantly, humans are engrossed in remembrance, and absolutely love to hold on and preserve certain possessions to hold their emotional importance. The problem with this action sometimes is that the physical use of the item is inhibited just so the item can be put on display. American writer Alice Walker devised a short story that directly comes in contact with these topics. This story, entitled Everyday Use, is about a mother with two daughters, both in which possess many different characteristics. Within this story, Walker challenges the ideas of how everyday items should be used and preserved. For Example, Sylvia Paine states, “ A woman who purchased a lakeside cabin that was owned by her grandmother describes the childhood memories it evoked and her hesitation in purchasing the cabin.” Heirlooms are important objects for all families, but are they really worth the glory bestowed upon themselves? Within Walker's Everyday Use, there are three central messages that can be derived.

Dee could probably be considered a main character in the story, but her change was too simple, because she changed on the outside only, and because she didn?t change on the day that the story occured. Mama stated ?When I looked at her like that something hit me in the top of my head and ran down to the souls of my feet. Just like when I?m in church and the spirit of God touches me and I get happy and shout? (94). Maggie did not have a lot of input in the story although she did change a little, both were flat characters. Mama is a more in-depth character than Dee and Maggie because the reader is given very descriptive attributes of her physically and mentally. Dee did not want to quilt to remember her heritage by, but instead to hang it up on the wall like some sort of trophy to show others where she has come from. She loves her family very much, but is ashamed of the surroundings she grew up in. Overall, Mama?s change had a big impact on the story due to the fact that she went from a woman who had low self esteem and was scared to

The behavior of overlooking her sister's, Maggie, and Mama's feelings since her childhood to the present indicates Dee's character as a person who disregards others. Mama ponders that while the house where they used to live burned to the ground; Maggie was burning, her "hair smoking and dress falling off her in little black papery flakes." Although she saw that Maggie needed her sister's aid, Dee stood "off under the sweet gum tree" at a distance (87). Walker reveals that Mama still finds Dee carrying her self-centeredness when she excludes herself from the pictures and "never [took] a shot without making sure the house is included" (89). Dee wants to capture the signs of poverty from her past so that she can show how much success she has gained in spite of being poor to her friends. Dee is so egotistical that she declares her sister is "backward enough to put [the quilts] to everyday use" (91) whereas she considers herself smart and would appreciate the quilts by hanging them. Her coldness and lack of concern make

Throughout the story, Walker personifies the different sides of culture and heritage in the characters of Dee and the mother (the narrator). Dee can be seen to represent a materialistic, complex, and modern way of life where culture and heritage

When Dee was determined to get the quilts, Mama presented her personal strength by “snatching the quilts out of [Dee’s] hands and dumped them into Maggie’s lap” (294). Even though Maggie said that Dee could have the quilts, Mama knew that Maggie was upset because she heard Maggie fall in the kitchen and slam the door when Dee asked for the quilts. At that moment, Mama realized that Dee was the child who got everything she wanted because she was the most outspoken. Contrarily, Maggie who was physically and mentally maimed, was the quiet sibling who even more so than her mother never wanted conflict. Unlike Dee who left home for college and disrespected her family’s lifestyle, Maggie stayed with her mother to help out around the house and ultimately revered and respected her family and traditions. Mama found that the daughter who has never given trouble and has always been faithful deserves to keep her inheritance even if a bit of conflict may arise among family members. When Mama plopped the quilts on Maggie, Maggie sat on the “bed with her mouth open.” (294) Maggie instantly learned that she should never let other people take what is rightfully hers and that she can and should stand up for herself. Maggie does not have to fight physically but a hold simple conversation with her can be enough for her to grown and show her

In contrast to Dee’s selfishness, Maggie proves herself to be a selfless woman through her considerate actions and feelings. Though Maggie has never been shown the type of love her sister has, her actions are kind and compassionate when she tries to read to her mother. Maggie, who is not a very skillful reader herself, attempts to read to her illiterate mother. The author reads, “Sometimes Maggie reads to me. She stumbles along good-naturedly but can't see well. She knew she wasn’t very bright”(Walker 53). Though Mama has never shown Maggie affection quite like she has Dee, Maggie still tries to read to her even though she is not a proficient reader. Unlike her selfish sister, Maggie selflessly puts the needs of others before her own and her actions verify her benevolence. Furthermore, even after Maggie’s mom continues to show more affection to Dee,she continues to show compassion through her feelings about a quilt Dee is trying to take away from Maggie. The author writes, “ ‘She can have them Mama,’ she said, like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her.’I can remember Grandma Dee without the quilts’”(Walker 59). Though Maggie never wins anything, she is willing to just

Dee is the afro-centric, ego- centric and eccentric pseudo-intellect. She values her culture in a more materialistic aspect. She respects the artifacts of her history rather than the usefulness. Dee’s earthly-mindedness sets the stage for conflict throughout the entire story, from her arrival until the central conflict when there is a battle amongst the other two main characters Mama and Maggie, about who is truly entitled to the hand-stitched quilts. The quilts were works of art that have been passed down throughout