Everyday Use By Alice Walker Symbolism

Everyday Use by Alice Walker: A Deep Dive into Symbolism

Alice Walker's "Everyday Use," a deceptively simple short story, is rich with symbolism, layering meaning and prompting ongoing discussion about heritage, family dynamics, and the complexities of identity. This exploration delves into the potent symbols woven throughout the narrative, revealing how they contribute to the story's enduring power and its continued relevance in contemporary society.

The Significance of Names: Dee and Maggie

The very names of the characters, Dee and Maggie, hold symbolic weight. Dee, with its sophisticated and arguably pretentious sound, immediately suggests a disconnect from her roots. Her adoption of a seemingly "African" name, Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, further underscores this distancing, a symbolic rejection of her heritage in favor of a romanticized, often superficial, understanding of African culture. This act of renaming reflects a desire for authenticity, yet it ironically reveals a lack of genuine connection to her ancestral past. It's a performance of identity rather than a true embodiment.

Conversely, Maggie, with her quiet and unassuming name, represents a more grounded and authentic connection to her heritage. Her name is simple, unpretentious, and reflective of her quiet acceptance of her life and circumstances. She embodies the enduring strength and quiet dignity of those who remain connected to their roots, even amid adversity. The contrast between the sisters' names sets the stage for a central conflict: a struggle over the meaning and ownership of heritage itself.

The House: A Symbol of History and Resilience

The family's dilapidated house serves as a powerful symbol of enduring legacy and resilience. It represents the family's history, their struggles, and their enduring spirit. The house, weathered and worn, reflects the hardships endured by generations. Its condition mirrors Maggie's own quiet strength and the unseen scars of the past. The house isn't simply a dwelling; it's a tangible representation of the family's collective memory and their shared history.

Dee's desire to transform the house, to modernize and “preserve” it, represents her superficial approach to heritage. She wants to display the house, rather than truly inhabit it, as a symbol of her own newly discovered African heritage, overlooking its true significance as a living testament to her family's history. Maggie, in contrast, understands the house as a living entity, inheriting its strength and resilience, a space reflecting the everyday lives lived within its walls.

The Quilts: A Tapestry of Heritage and Memory

The quilts, meticulously crafted by Mama and Grandma Dee, are potent symbols of heritage, family history, and the continuity of tradition. They are not mere textiles; they are living legacies, each stitch embodying years of family history and shared experiences. They represent the accumulated knowledge and skills passed down through generations, a tangible expression of family love and continuity.

Dee's desire to hang the quilts on the wall, treating them as mere artifacts, demonstrates her detached view of her heritage. She sees them as aesthetic objects, devoid of their sentimental and practical value. Her plan is to “preserve” them, to transform them into static representations, removing them from the living context of their creation and their intended purpose. Maggie, on the other hand, understands the quilts' value as practical and sentimental items, embodying the ongoing cycle of life and family tradition. Her desire to use them, to keep them alive within the everyday fabric of her life, reveals a profound connection to the history they represent.

The Heritage of Storytelling and Oral Tradition

Oral tradition plays a crucial role in the narrative, weaving itself into the fabric of the story through the sharing of anecdotes, memories, and family lore. Mama’s recollections and the stories embedded within the quilts reflect the importance of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage through oral history. This form of transmission is a crucial element in maintaining a connection to the past and understanding the present.

Dee's approach to heritage is largely visual and detached. She seeks tangible artifacts that can be displayed and admired, neglecting the stories and oral tradition that imbue these artifacts with meaning and significance. Maggie, conversely, embodies a deeper, more ingrained understanding of her heritage, one that is not solely defined by physical objects but by the interwoven narratives, memories, and experiences passed down within her family.

Mama: The Embodiment of Practical Wisdom and Unwavering Love

Mama, the story's narrator, serves as a central figure, embodying practical wisdom, quiet strength, and unconditional love. Her character is a powerful symbol of the unwavering resilience and enduring strength of a woman grounded in her heritage. She represents a deeper connection to her past, a connection that is not defined by superficial displays but by a profound understanding of her cultural identity and her role within her family. Her decision to give Maggie the quilts is not a simple act of inheritance; it's a powerful gesture, affirming Maggie's connection to her heritage and embodying the enduring strength of family bonds.

Dee/Wangero: The Ambivalent Search for Identity

Dee's character is complex and ambiguous. She represents the challenges and contradictions faced by individuals seeking to define their identity, particularly in relation to their heritage. Her adoption of an African name and her romanticized view of African culture highlight the potential pitfalls of seeking authenticity without genuine understanding. Her actions reflect a superficial understanding of heritage, one often seen in those who have distanced themselves from their origins before striving to reconnect.

Her desire to possess the quilts and the churn is not driven by genuine appreciation; instead, it manifests as a desire to showcase her newfound identity, a desire to demonstrate her understanding of her heritage. She transforms them into carefully curated pieces of her self-fashioned narrative, stripping them of their practical use and significance.

Maggie: The Quiet Strength of Tradition

Maggie, in stark contrast to Dee, embodies the quiet strength and enduring resilience of those who remain connected to their heritage. Her character represents the values of simplicity, humility, and quiet dignity. Unlike Dee, Maggie’s connection to her heritage is not a performative act but a lived reality. She understands and values the practical and sentimental significance of the quilts, representing her connection to the history of her family.

The Significance of the Setting: Rural South

The rural Southern setting of the story serves as another layer of symbolism. The setting reflects the context of the narrative, underscoring the complexities of racial identity and the enduring impact of history and tradition on individuals and families. The environment mirrors the simplicity and the challenges of rural life, reflecting the values of the characters and their connection to their surroundings. This setting reinforces the themes of heritage, family, and tradition.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Meaning

"Everyday Use" transcends its seemingly simple narrative to become a powerful exploration of identity, heritage, and family relationships. The story’s lasting impact stems from its multifaceted symbolism, which continues to resonate with readers across generations. The characters, the objects, the setting—all contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of cultural identity and the enduring power of family bonds. Through its potent symbolism, Walker’s story continues to provoke reflection on the true meaning of heritage and the significance of preserving cultural legacy in the face of modern complexities. The enduring power of "Everyday Use" lies in its ability to spark ongoing conversations about the nuances of identity, the complexities of family, and the true meaning of heritage. It's a story that continues to resonate deeply, challenging readers to reconsider their own relationship with their past and the legacy they wish to leave behind.