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The Symbolism Of The Yard In Everyday Use By Alice Walker

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“It is not just a yard. It is like an extended living room.” (Walker, 1973, p.314). With the yard being the main setting in the story, viewers learn the yard will be the comfort spot for this broken family. In “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker readers are introduced to three main characters. These characters are Mama, Dee and Maggie. While this short story is set in a short time after major segregation readers can see how struggling African American families lived. With all the negative associations and compromising events that occur in the house the yard is seen as an escape from this harsh reality. In “Everyday Use”, Walker uses symbolism of the yard, to develop the theme of freedom and comfort.
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Occasion: Alice Walker writes the story to draw attention to the mindset of the minorities. Walker was an activist. “Everyday Use” is a short story within a collection documenting the stories of black women, such as Alice Walker herself. Audience: Walker writes the story for everyone to read.

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