Sorrell Duffy
Ms. Bellack
September 10, 2016
English 102
Everyday Use
The story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker takes place during the 1960s. This was the time for lifestyle change. During this phase an entire generation of young people fought for social, political, and economic revolution. This same generation was seen to be a nuisance from many of the past generations. Every new generation brings about change, and this was challenging and deemed as unnecessary to the cohorts of the past. Such as in the case of the family relationship in this short story Everyday Use. Mama who is the narrator seems to be struggling with having to choose between her two daughters who have tremendously different personalities and views. Maggie and Dee, are sisters who are as opposite as night and day. Dee brings home generational changes from the urban college life, she even changes her name. Maggie is shy maladjusted and is untouched by
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This is due to her being severely burned in a house fire when she was a child, her scarred, unpleasant appearance hides her compassionate, generous nature. She lives at home and is protected by her Mama. Mama says, “Sometimes Maggie reads to me. She stumbles along good-naturedly but can’t see well. She knows she’s not bright” (Walker 487). So, even though her isolation protects her, she is still a victim of this type of isolation. She suffers from shyness and lack of education. Maggie’s relationship with Dee is filled with jealousy and admiration. Mama mentions how Maggie always thought Dee had been gifted with an easy life. Maggie being sheltered does her a disservice because she can only learn to appreciate the heritage that she’s aware of such as the quilt. She will never know what else is possible because she isn’t concerned about the joys of knowing more. This is why she only wants to put the quilt to everyday use because she doesn’t understand that once they are ruin you can’t get them