Everyday Use By Alice Walker Theme

Everyday Use: Exploring Themes of Heritage, Identity, and Legacy in Alice Walker's Short Story

Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" is a deceptively simple yet profoundly complex short story that delves into the intricate themes of heritage, identity, and legacy. Through the contrasting characters of Mama, Maggie, and Dee (Wangero), Walker masterfully explores the multifaceted nature of Black identity in the face of changing social landscapes and the enduring power of tangible and intangible heritage. The story isn't merely about the conflict over a set of quilts; it's a powerful allegory for the struggle over cultural ownership and the meaning of family itself.

The Clash of Identities: Dee vs. Maggie

The central conflict in "Everyday Use" hinges on the clash between Dee and her sisters' contrasting understandings of their heritage. Dee, having embraced a new identity as Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, rejects her rural upbringing and the perceived simplicity of her family's life. She seeks to commodify her heritage, transforming family heirlooms into decorative artifacts that symbolize a romanticized version of her African ancestry. This act reveals a deep disconnect between her newfound identity and the lived experiences of her family.

Dee's Appropriation of Heritage: A Symbol of Superficiality

Dee's appropriation of her heritage is not about genuine connection; it's about aesthetic appreciation. She wants the quilts not to use them, but to display them, transforming them into symbols of her newfound pan-African identity. This superficial engagement with her roots stands in stark contrast to Maggie's quiet, unassuming appreciation of her heritage. Maggie's understanding of heritage is rooted in practicality and continuity, embodying the enduring values of her community. Her connection to the quilts isn't about display but about continuation. She sees them as a living part of her family history, embodying the stories and labor of generations past.

The quilts themselves become a potent symbol of this conflict. They are not just pieces of fabric; they are imbued with the love, sweat, and legacy of the family women. Dee's desire to "preserve" them by placing them on the wall reflects her inability to understand their true value – their inherent connection to the living fabric of family life. This highlights the dangers of commodifying cultural heritage, reducing it to mere spectacle rather than recognizing its ongoing significance.

Mama's Role: A Bridge Between Generations

Mama acts as a crucial mediator in the story, her perspective bridging the gap between the conflicting views of her daughters. Initially hesitant and perhaps slightly intimidated by Dee's assertive personality, Mama ultimately recognizes the true meaning of heritage and makes a powerful decision in favor of Maggie. This reveals the importance of lived experience in shaping one's understanding of identity. Mama understands the profound connection between the quilts and the continuous narrative of her family. Her choice to give the quilts to Maggie demonstrates a deeper appreciation of genuine heritage preservation and the continuity of family traditions.

The Significance of Everyday Objects

The ordinary objects in the story – the butter churn, the benches, the quilts – are far from ordinary. They are imbued with meaning, representing the tangible link between past and present. These everyday objects become symbols of cultural identity, reflecting the hard work and resilience of generations past. Dee's detachment from these objects underscores her alienation from the essence of her heritage, her inability to see beyond the superficial aesthetic. For Mama and Maggie, these objects are deeply personal and hold the memories of family life, hard work, and love.

The Power of Legacy: Passing Down Tradition

The story's resolution focuses on the act of passing down the legacy, not just of material possessions, but of intangible values. Mama's decision to give the quilts to Maggie represents a conscious choice to maintain the continuity of her family’s heritage. This act acknowledges Maggie's quiet strength and appreciation for the practical significance of these items. The story emphasizes that true heritage is not merely about preservation in a museum; it’s about active participation and living transmission.

Beyond the Quilts: A Deeper Meaning

While the quilts are the central object of conflict, the story's themes extend far beyond the material. The conflict between Dee and Maggie reflects a broader struggle between different understandings of Black identity and cultural preservation in the face of societal pressures. Dee's rejection of her rural upbringing and adoption of a more "exotic" identity can be seen as a commentary on the internalized racism that sometimes leads to a rejection of one's own cultural roots. Her appropriation of African culture, devoid of a genuine understanding, further highlights the issues surrounding cultural appropriation and the commodification of cultural heritage.

Exploring Themes of Family and Belonging

The story also grapples with the complexities of family relationships and the concept of belonging. The strained relationship between Mama and Dee reflects the deep emotional wounds and misunderstandings that can arise within families. Dee's self-imposed exile, her rejection of her family’s way of life, creates a chasm that cannot easily be bridged. This showcases the fragility of family bonds when faced with profound differences in values and perspectives. In contrast, the bond between Mama and Maggie demonstrates the strength of family connections based on shared experiences, mutual respect, and understanding.

The Importance of Practicality and Continuity

Maggie, in her quiet acceptance and appreciation of her heritage, embodies the enduring values of practicality and continuity. Her understanding of her heritage isn't based on a romanticized vision of the past but on the lived experiences and legacy of her family. She understands the significance of the quilts as a part of her family's story, representing the ongoing connection between generations. This stands in stark contrast to Dee's desire to freeze the past in time, to display it as a spectacle rather than experiencing it as a living tradition.

Analyzing the Narrative Style and Structure

Walker employs a compelling narrative voice in "Everyday Use," offering insights into Mama's thoughts and feelings. The story's structure is relatively straightforward, but the impact lies in the subtle revelations of character and the skillful use of symbolism. The use of dialect adds to the authenticity of the characters and their surroundings, grounding the story in its specific cultural context. The narrative is largely driven by dialogue, creating a sense of immediacy and allowing the reader to directly experience the tension and conflict between the characters.

The Power of Dialogue: Unveiling Character

The dialogue in the story is crucial in revealing the characters’ personalities and motivations. Dee’s pronouncements and assertions reveal her self-centered nature and her superficial understanding of her heritage. Maggie’s quiet responses highlight her shyness and her deep connection to her family’s past. Mama’s voice, though initially hesitant, eventually reveals her strength and her clear-sighted decision about the quilts, asserting her agency and her understanding of true legacy.

"Everyday Use" and its Enduring Relevance

"Everyday Use" remains a powerful and relevant story decades after its publication. Its exploration of themes of heritage, identity, and legacy continues to resonate with readers due to its universal appeal. The story’s enduring power lies in its ability to address timeless questions about cultural identity, family relationships, and the complexities of defining oneself within the context of history and tradition. It challenges us to consider our own relationship to our heritage, questioning how we understand and engage with our past, and how we choose to pass on our legacies to future generations. The story's exploration of the tension between preserving history and living in the present continues to spark debate and discussion, reminding us of the importance of thoughtful engagement with our cultural heritage. It's a story that compels readers to examine their own lives and confront the complexities of identity and belonging.

The impact of “Everyday Use” extends beyond its literary merit. The story serves as a powerful tool for examining the significance of cultural preservation, the complexities of family relationships, and the challenges of defining oneself within the context of historical and social changes. By exploring these universal themes through the lens of a Black family in rural America, Walker transcends the specific cultural context, making the story's message readily accessible and profoundly relevant to readers from diverse backgrounds. The story's enduring appeal rests in its timeless exploration of human experience and the ongoing quest for identity and belonging.