Everyday Use

"Everyday Use," by Alice Walker is a story that explores old versus new, and what it means to truly appreciate your heritage. Dee is the sophisticated sister, beautiful and strong but still unsure about where she comes from. While embracing the cultural aspect of her background, she is unable to grasp the reality of it all and views it all idealistically. She is proud of the works of beauty her ancestors produced, yet ashamed of the conditions her mother and sister live in and is almost unable to see how the two relate. She appears self-assured and confident, but in reality she is confused about where she comes from and has not yet cemented her feelings on it. 

Maggie is the dimunitive sister, almost blase next to her sister's overwhelmingly enthusiasm. She is not beautiful or smart, but she possesses a cultural awareness that her sister lacks. Where Dee sees a historical prize, Maggie just sees a quilt that she plans to put to good use. She would see it as wasteful and purposeless to hang a quilt on the wall, and has always been confused with her sister's useless embellishments. To her, a quilt is a quilt and it serves no other purpose. 

Dee's dominating presence even for the short time that she visited shows the reason for Maggie's fearful awe, and the reader questions why Dee feels the need to continously assert herself. Life comes far too easily to her, but she is unable to muster up any sympathy for her sister Maggie. Her bright yellow and orange outfit demonstrated her careless intimidation, and it is almost like she has to assure herself that she is the pretty one. This has taken an obvious toll on Maggie, who sits silently in corners and is self-conscious about her own apperance. There is simply no room for Maggie in Dee's world, and chooses to ignore her unless she is in her way.

Mama, the narrator of the story, possesses a self-titled 'man-like strength', but somehow even her authority seems diminished when Dee is around. When Dee announced she has changed her name, her lack of respect for her Mama's traditional ways becomes evident. She loves Dee, but is protective over Maggie and understands her much more. In the final confrontation, when Mama defends Maggie's right to the quilt, she finally says no to Dee, a word she needs to hear more often. Mama has re-established her place as the head of the household, and will no longer tolerate Dee's stubborness and sense of entitlement. 

This story explores a passive sort of sibling rivalry, as well as the proper use of antiques. To Dee, a hand made quilt is a piece of art, and should be treasured. But to Maggie and her mother, its true purpose is to use it for how it was intended.