Everyday Use By Alice Walker Analysis

What is the first word thought when the word “heritage” is said? The theme of “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is two ideas of heritage in showing characterization, setting, and imagery. The main characters are: Dee (Wangero) the oldest daughter, Maggie the youngest daughter, and Momma the mother. The short story is about how Dee comes back home for a visit and “heritage” is now important to her but in a different way. Momma and Maggie are outside waiting for Dee’s arrival, they both have true value in heritage. Firstly, characterization is who the character is instead of what the character has done. It is through Dee that the writer shows how some people “ignore or reject their heritage” (Spark notes). On arrival to Momma’s house Dee informs them that her name is now Wangero, as if her family history were of slaves and she could not have a name that was given. Even though Momma explained it to her

Even things Momma used every day that Dee would not. She is trying to “show off” her heritage instead of being part of it. Almost like she will go to school and do show-and-tell. An image that Walker shows is when Wangero asks Momma for the quilts and Maggie is in the kitchen and Momma’s point of view, “I heard something fall in the kitchen, and a minute later the kitchen door slammed” (Walker). Maggie is upset as previously mentioned Wangero is the daughter who was hardly ever told “No” to. It is assumed that Maggie thought Momma would say yes to Wangero having the quilts that where going to be Maggie’s after she married. Then there is back and forth with Momma and Dee about how the quilts are priceless. Wangero tells Momma she will hang the quilts up on the wall, and that Maggie will not put them to good use and will put them to everyday use. It shows how Dee is more interested in displaying her heritage instead of living and using what her roots