everyday use story pdf
Everyday Use is a significant short story by Alice Walker, first published in 1973․ It explores themes of cultural heritage, identity, and family dynamics through the Johnson family’s experiences․
Overview of the Story
Everyday Use, a short story by Alice Walker, centers on the Johnson family, focusing on the complex relationships between a mother and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie․ The story unfolds in a rural Southern setting, where the mother awaits a visit from her eldest daughter, Dee, who has embraced an urban, educated lifestyle․ Dee, now calling herself Wangero, seeks to reclaim family heirlooms, such as handmade quilts, to preserve her African-American heritage․ However, her mother and Maggie, who remains rooted in their traditional way of life, view these items as practical, everyday objects․ The narrative highlights the tension between cultural preservation and familial bonds, as the mother ultimately sides with Maggie, refusing to let Dee take the quilts․ The story is told from the mother’s perspective, offering a poignant reflection on identity, heritage, and generational conflict․
Historical Context and Publication
Everyday Use was first published in 1973 within Alice Walker’s short story collection, In Love and Trouble․ The story reflects the cultural and social shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the Civil Rights Movement and the rise of Black nationalism․ During this period, African Americans sought to reconnect with their heritage, a theme central to the story․ The narrative also touches on the rural-urban divide, as characters navigate modernity and tradition․ Walker’s work was influenced by her own experiences growing up in a rural Southern community and her involvement in civil rights activism․ Everyday Use has since become a cornerstone of African-American literature, frequently studied for its exploration of identity and cultural preservation․
Themes in “Everyday Use”
Everyday Use explores cultural heritage, identity, and family dynamics, highlighting tensions between tradition and modernity․ It delves into self-discovery and socioeconomic disparities, reflecting societal changes of the 1970s․
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Cultural heritage and identity are central themes in Everyday Use․ The story contrasts Dee’s rejection of her rural upbringing with Maggie’s embrace of their family’s traditions․ Dee, who renames herself Wangero, seeks to connect with her African roots, viewing her heritage as something to be preserved and celebrated․ In contrast, Maggie finds comfort in the familiar routines and objects, like the quilts, which symbolize their ancestors’ love and labor․ This tension highlights the struggle between embracing one’s cultural past and forging a new identity․ Walker uses these characters to explore how heritage can both unify and divide, reflecting broader African-American experiences․
Family Dynamics and Generational Conflicts
The story explores the complex family dynamics and generational conflicts within the Johnson family․ The mother, Mrs․ Johnson, narrates the tale, revealing her strained relationship with her eldest daughter, Dee, who has embraced an urban, educated lifestyle․ Dee’s return home sparks tension, particularly with her younger sister, Maggie, who remains rooted in their rural, traditional upbringing․ The conflict escalates when Dee, now identifying as Wangero, seeks to claim family heirlooms, such as the handmade quilts, which she views as symbols of their cultural heritage․ Maggie, who has always felt overshadowed by Dee, struggles with her sister’s condescending attitude and the threat to her emotional connection to their ancestors․ This generational divide reflects the broader challenges of balancing modernity and tradition within African-American families․
The Struggle for Self-Discovery
The struggle for self-discovery is central to Dee’s character development in Everyday Use․ Her journey reflects a broader theme of African-Americans reconnecting with their cultural roots in the 1970s․ Dee’s decision to change her name to Wangero symbolizes her rejection of her past and her pursuit of a new identity rooted in African heritage․ This transformation highlights her quest for self-definition beyond the confines of her rural upbringing․ However, her approach often clashes with her family’s traditional values, creating tension․ While Dee’s self-discovery is driven by a desire to honor her ancestry, her methods reveal a disconnect between her idealized cultural identity and the lived experiences of her mother and sister, Maggie․
Socioeconomic Disparities
Socioeconomic disparities play a subtle yet significant role in Everyday Use․ The story highlights the contrast between the educated, upwardly mobile Dee and her less privileged family․ Dee’s formal education and exposure to urban life set her apart from her mother and Maggie, who remain rooted in rural poverty․ The family’s limited resources are evident in their modest living conditions and the mother’s lack of formal education․ Dee’s aspirations for a better life reflect the societal pressures of economic mobility, while her family’s contentment with their simple existence underscores the resilience of those left behind․ This divide illustrates the broader societal issue of inequality and the challenges of bridging the gap between different economic realities․
Character Analysis
Everyday Use revolves around three central characters: Mrs․ Johnson, a strong, wise mother; Dee, her educated, identity-seeking daughter; and Maggie, the shy, tradition-clinging sister․
Mrs․ Johnson: The Mother’s Perspective
Mrs․ Johnson, the narrator, embodies the heart of African-American cultural heritage․ She is a strong, pragmatic woman deeply rooted in her family’s traditions․ Her perspective reflects a life shaped by hardship and resilience, as she navigates the complexities of her daughters’ divergent paths․ Mrs․ Johnson’s voice is both nurturing and protective, particularly when it comes to Maggie, who she sees as the guardian of their family’s legacy․ Her actions, such as withholding the quilts from Dee, highlight her commitment to preserving the past for future generations․ Through her, Walker portrays the enduring strength and wisdom of African-American matriarchs who keep their culture alive․
Dee (Wangero): The Rebel and the Search for Identity
Dee, renamed Wangero, represents the tension between modernity and tradition․ Her transformation symbolizes a rejection of her rural upbringing and a quest for African heritage․ Through her name change and educated background, Dee seeks to redefine herself, embracing African roots while distancing from her family’s past․ Her character challenges cultural norms, reflecting the broader African-American experience of identity during the Civil Rights era․ Dee’s actions, such as claiming family heirlooms, reveal her complex mix of pride and alienation․ Her journey is both a search for self and a critique of cultural appropriation, making her a compelling yet controversial figure in the story․
Maggie: The Quiet Guardian of Tradition
Maggie embodies the quiet preservation of family heritage, contrasting sharply with Dee’s rebellious nature․ Shy and insecure, Maggie finds strength in tradition, valuing the quilts and stories passed down through generations․ Her loyalty to her mother and their shared past reflects a deep connection to their cultural roots․ Maggie’s simplicity and humility highlight her role as a keeper of family traditions, ensuring that the stories and artifacts of their ancestors remain alive; Her character serves as a symbol of continuity and the enduring power of cultural heritage in the face of change and modernization․
Literary Style and Devices
Alice Walker’s Everyday Use features a vivid, descriptive narrative voice, rich in sensory details and authentic dialect, creating a down-to-earth, relatable atmosphere that immerses readers in the story․
Narrative Voice and Point of View
The story is narrated in the first person by Mrs; Johnson, the mother, offering a personal and intimate perspective․ Her voice is straightforward and unpretentious, reflecting her rural background and practical worldview․ The narrative focuses on her observations and feelings, creating a strong emotional connection with the reader․ Through her eyes, the contrast between her simple, traditional life and Dee’s educated, modern outlook is starkly evident․ The use of dialect and regional language adds authenticity to her voice, grounding the story in its African-American cultural context․ Additionally, the narrative highlights Mrs․ Johnson’s growth, as she confronts her own biases and ultimately stands up to Dee, showcasing her quiet strength․ The point of view emphasizes the generational and cultural divide within the family, making it a powerful exploration of identity and heritage․ The narrative also underscores the epiphany Mrs․ Johnson experiences when she refuses to let Dee take the quilts, symbolizing her embrace of family traditions over Dee’s abstraction of cultural artifacts․ This moment highlights the tension between preserving heritage and redefining it, central to the story’s themes․ The narrative voice thus serves as a bridge between the personal and the universal, making the story resonate deeply with readers․
Symbolism in the Story
The quilts in Everyday Use are a potent symbol of family heritage and tradition․ Made by the grandmother, they represent the history and love shared through generations․ Dee’s desire to preserve them as artifacts contrasts with Maggie’s practical use of them, highlighting the tension between preserving heritage and living it․ The name change from Dee to Wangero symbolizes her rejection of her past and her attempt to reconnect with her African roots․ The butter churn and other household items also serve as symbols of the family’s history, with Dee wanting to display them as artifacts, while Maggie and her mother see them as everyday objects․ These symbols underscore the clash between cultural preservation and lived experience, central to the story’s themes of identity and heritage․ The quilts, in particular, become a battleground for these conflicting values, representing the emotional and cultural ties that bind the family together․
Key Scenes and Their Significance
The visit of Dee, now Wangero, and her conflict with her mother over the quilts are pivotal․ These scenes reveal the clash between cultural preservation and everyday life․
The Visit and the Conflict Over Quilts
The visit of Dee, now Wangero, sparks tension over the quilts․ Dee wishes to take them for cultural preservation, while her mother insists they remain for Maggie’s future․ This scene highlights the clash between heritage appreciation and practical use, symbolizing deeper generational and cultural conflicts within the family;
The Name Change and Its Implications
Dee’s decision to rename herself Wangero Lee-wanika Kemanjo symbolizes her rejection of her family’s past and her quest for a deeper African identity․ This change reflects her desire to distance herself from names tied to white oppressors, as she believes her original name, Dee, has European origins․ The name change highlights her internal conflict between embracing African heritage and shedding familial ties․ It also underscores the generational divide, as her mother struggles to understand this transformation․ The new name becomes a symbol of Dee’s self-discovery and her attempt to reconnect with her roots, while also signaling her estrangement from her family’s traditions and values․
Cultural and Historical Interpretations
Everyday Use reflects the post-Civil Rights era, exploring African-American identity and heritage․ It highlights the tension between embracing modernity and preserving cultural traditions, resonating with 1970s societal shifts․
The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement deeply influenced Everyday Use, as it reflects the 1960s and 1970s shift toward African-American identity and cultural pride․ Dee’s transformation embodies this era, as her education and political awakening lead her to embrace her African heritage, rejecting the remnants of oppression․ Her name change to Wangero symbolizes a broader movement toward reclaiming African roots, a common practice during this time․ However, Walker critiques the superficiality of some expressions of identity, contrasting Dee’s intellectualized pride with Maggie’s quieter, more authentic connection to their heritage․ The story highlights the tension between modernity and tradition, mirroring societal changes post-Civil Rights Movement․
African-American Heritage in the 1970s
The 1970s saw a resurgence of African-American cultural pride, influencing Everyday Use․ Dee’s embrace of her heritage mirrors this era’s focus on reconnecting with African roots․ Her name change to Wangero and interest in traditional artifacts reflect the broader movement of self-discovery and empowerment․ Yet, Walker contrasts Dee’s intellectualized pride with Maggie’s simpler, more heartfelt connection to their legacy, highlighting the complexity of cultural identity․ The story underscores the tension between embracing heritage as a political statement versus living it authentically, offering a nuanced view of African-American experiences during this transformative decade․
Everyday Use by Alice Walker concludes with a poignant reflection on cultural heritage and family bonds․ The story emphasizes the enduring power of tradition and identity․
Legacy of “Everyday Use” in Literature
Everyday Use is widely recognized as a landmark in African-American literature․ Its exploration of cultural identity and heritage continues to resonate, making it a staple in educational curricula․ The story’s timeless themes of family, tradition, and self-discovery have solidified its place in literary canon․ Its influence extends beyond academia, inspiring discussions on race, identity, and cultural preservation․ Walker’s nuanced portrayal of generational conflicts remains a powerful commentary on societal changes․ As a result, Everyday Use is celebrated as a vital work that bridges the past and present, offering insights into the complexities of African-American heritage and its enduring relevance in contemporary conversations․