Analysis of Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use' short story.

In 'Everyday Use', Alice Walker explores themes of heritage and identity. The story shows the different ways characters relate to their cultural heritage. For example, Dee wants to appropriate it in a more superficial way, while Mama and Maggie have a more practical and deeply rooted connection. The quilts in the story are a symbol of this heritage, representing the family's history and the skills passed down through generations.

Well, Mama is a complex character. She's a hardworking woman who has lived through a lot. She loves both of her daughters but has different relationships with them. Dee is the daughter who has gone out into the world and has become more 'enlightened' in a sense, but she has lost touch with the real essence of her family's heritage. Maggie, who has stayed at home, has a deep understanding of the family's traditions, like the quilts being a part of the family's everyday life and not just something to show off.

The main theme in 'Everyday Use' is the complex relationship between heritage and identity. The story shows how different characters view and value their cultural heritage in different ways.

Another aspect of the theme is the mother - daughter relationship. Mama has a complex relationship with Dee. Dee's new - found ideas about heritage put a strain on their relationship, while Mama has a closer bond with Maggie who shares her more practical view of their family heritage.

Mama is a strong and practical character. She has lived a hard life, working the land. She values the things that are useful in her daily life. For example, she knows the importance of the quilts as something to keep her family warm. She is also a bit in awe of Dee, her educated daughter, but at the same time, she is protective of Maggie and their traditional way of life.

One important theme is the struggle for self - definition within a family and cultural context. Dee has re - invented herself, changing her name and her appearance, which represents her attempt to break away from her family's traditional and rural roots. However, Mama and Maggie represent the more traditional, down - to - earth connection to their heritage. The story explores how these different stances towards heritage can create conflict and also a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to a family and a culture.

The main theme is the idea of heritage. It shows the difference between a real, practical connection to one's heritage and a more superficial, trendy connection.

The family home itself is a symbol. It's a place full of memories and a connection to the family's roots. It stands in contrast to Dee's new world. While Dee seems to be moving away from it, Maggie is more closely tied to it, highlighting the different attitudes towards family and heritage.

The key elements include the characters' complex relationships and the importance of heritage. Themes like cultural identity and the value of tradition are prominent.

In 'Everyday Use', the quilts symbolize different things to different characters. For Dee, they are a symbol of a more glamorous and showy version of her heritage. She wants to hang them on the wall as if they were art pieces. But for Mama and Maggie, the quilts are symbols of family, love, and the practical side of heritage. They are meant to be used, like how their ancestors used them. The yard in the story also symbolizes the family's connection to the land and their roots. It's a simple, unpretentious place that represents the real, everyday side of their heritage, as opposed to Dee's more idealized and somewhat removed view of it.