Everyday Use By Alice Walker Identity Essay

Susanne Bier, a Danish film director once said, “in a way, our family is our modern identity.” In other words, our family influences whom one may be, today. Humans are constantly growing and being surrounded by them. Family is not necessarily blood related, because although water isn’t as thick as blood, it sure tastes better. In the short story, “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, towards the end of the story, one gradually comes to realize how each character in the family had their own identity, but much of what they did and how they were was influenced by each other. One may say identity is the actions of one according to their surroundings, others may say it is the distinguishable personality of a person. Humans search for identity in order to discover their purpose, or reason for existence in

In the short story, “Everyday Use” it was said, “Maggie smiled; maybe at the sunglasses. But a real smile, not scared” (7, Walker). This shows the reader a more extrovert side of Maggie at the end of the story, like her sister Dee. This is significant to note because it proves how family can influence the smallest parts of your identity. The main character of the story narrates, “...the child wraps them in her arms and leans across the table to tell how she would not have made it without their help” (1, Walker). By looking at the text, the audience can take away that when it comes to one’s family, they will always try to support and be there for one, they will be around one often, and guide one. The evidence suggests when is always in the vicinity of one, and conducts one, they make up much of their identity because the guidance and influence shapes deep into who they become. One can conclude from this is that nobody is around a person more than family. Typically one is raised by their family, so it influences one from