Compare And Contrast Everyday Use And Alice Walker

Dakota Massey
Mrs. Korando
American Literature
19 Apr 2023
Mallard Vs. Johnson “The Story of an Hour,” by Kate Chopin and “Everyday Use,” by Alice Walker are two different stories, but they may have similar underlying themes. “Everyday Use” deals with an African American mother who, when her oldest daughter Dee comes home, must decide to take a stand. Dee wants to take the quilts that Maggie, the narrator’s other daughter, was going to inherit from their grandmother. Since it is implied that Dee used to always get her way, the narrator’s stand is a big moment. On the other hand, in “The Story of an Hour,” Louise Mallard hears that her husband has passed away. For a few moments, she feels freedom from his implied control until he eventually

“Everyday Use” is about a mother who must decide to stand up against her oldest daughter Dee and her selfishness. It can be inferred throughout the story that Dee is a little spoiled. Dee states, “‘This churn top is what I need’” (Walker, 770). She also says, “‘And I want the dasher, too’” (Walker, 770). These pieces of evidence show that Dee wants to take some items from her mother’s home with her. According to the story, “‘Mama,’ Wangero said sweet as a bird. ‘Can I have these old quilts?’” (Walker, 771). This proves that Dee, in addition to the dasher and churn top, wants to take a few quilts from her mother as well. However, the narrator states, “‘The truth is,’ I said. ‘I promised to give them quilts to Maggie’” (Walker, 771). The narrator, in this quote, is telling Dee that she promised to give the quilts that Dee wants to Maggie. Since Dee is already taking other stuff, this is selfish and further shows that Dee is spoiled. Maggie, being used to Dee’s spoiled attitude, says, “‘She can have them, Mama,’ she said, like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her” (Walker, 771). When the narrator notices Maggie’s upset look, she finally decides to stand against Dee’s selfishness. According to the narrator, “...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” (Walker, 772). This is a big moment for Maggie and the narrator, shown by Maggie’s surprise. The narrator finally stood up against Dee’s greediness, and it led to her and Maggie both being happy. According to the story, “Maggie smiled; maybe at the sunglasses. But a real smile, not scared” (Walker, 772). Furthermore, “I asked Maggie to bring me a dip of snuff. And then the two of us sat there just enjoying…” (Walker, 772). This shows that after the narrator took her stand, Maggie was smiling and no