Ancestry And Family In Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use'

Most people have had some fight or disagreement with a member of their family. Some might say it is natural for families to argue, but sometimes the reasons behind them are much more substantial than they might appear at first glance. The short story “Everyday Use” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker deals a situation like this (Kirszner and Mandell 344). Walker feels strongly about people reconnecting with their heritage; in fact, she retook her maiden name three years into her marriage to honor her great great great grandmother (Kirszner and Mandell 344). When reading “Everyday Use” her opinions on ancestry and family are evident. Also, similar to how Walker changed her name, a character in the story changes her name, but for the

It follows the story of three women in chronological order. The story begins with the narrator who is known as “Mama” describing the preparations she and her daughter Maggie are making for when her other daughter Dee visits (345, 346). Now, Dee arrives at the house in a car dressed in traditional African attire, and with her a man named “Asalamalakim”, a short man with long hair. Dee introduces him to Mama and Maggie, and then they move into the house (347,348). This is when Dee informs the family that she has changed her name. She says she will no longer be called Dee, she will be called “Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo”, because she “couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (348). Mama does not agree with the change, but she says she will respect her wishes. Dee then starts wanting different objects from around the house that she thinks carry the family’s heritage (349,350). When she starts to take quilts out of a chest Mama stops her saying that the quilts are for Maggie. Finally, Dee says that Mama doesn’t understand or care about her heritage, then leaves, and Mama and Maggie watch as she leaves

One she uses is point of view. The story takes place from a first person point of view; Mama’s point of view. Walker does this for a specific reason that is it gives more sincerity to the story. When it is told by someone involved in the story the reader can feel the emotions of the character speaking. For example, when Dee says something offending the reader feels offended too, because it is as if Dee is speaking to the reader. Also, by making the story told by Mama it gives an entirely different meaning then it would if it had been told from Dee’s perspective. Dee would be telling the reader that they should hang up, or put on display all their heirlooms, and never touch them. Finally, she would tach the reader that heritage is less about the people, and more about the illusion of heritage the items create. So having Mama tell the story with her own thoughts make the message more sincere and