Alice Walker’s Everyday Use

Sample Solution

    Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" presents a complex interplay between generations and their contrasting attitudes towards family heirlooms. While Dee, the educated daughter, desires to claim certain objects for their cultural significance, Mama, the grounded mother, prioritizes their everyday functionality. This essay defends Mama's beliefs, not through nostalgia or sentimentality, but through a lens of practicality, self-preservation, and a nuanced understanding of cultural heritage.

Full Answer Section

     

Dee's desire to collect and preserve the quilts represents an understandable longing for connection to her roots. She views them as emblems of history, tangible links to the resilience and creativity of her ancestors. This yearning for cultural connection is particularly poignant in the context of racial and social marginalization. However, Dee's focus on the "antique" value disregards their practical purpose in Mama's life. These quilts aren't merely museum pieces; they provide warmth, comfort, and a sense of security in their daily existence. For Mama, their inherent beauty and utility are inseparable.

Furthermore, Dee's intentions can be seen as an act of appropriation, rather than appreciation. Dee, who has assimilated into a more urban and academic environment, seeks to "display" the quilts rather than "use" them. This desire to possess and exhibit these symbols of her heritage carries a risk of fetishization, reducing them to decorative props for her new cultural identity. Mama, in contrast, embodies an organic connection to her heritage; it's woven into the fabric of her everyday life, not a curated museum exhibit.

The conflict extends beyond the quilts to Dee's treatment of Maggie. Dee mocks Maggie's appearance and dismisses her practical skills, reflecting a classist and superficial perspective. Dee's judgmental and self-absorbed attitude creates a gulf between the sisters, highlighting the dangers of prioritizing "educated" knowledge over lived experience and community ties. Mama, on the other hand, recognizes the value of both worlds. She encourages Maggie's practical skills as equally important to Dee's academic pursuits, fostering a more holistic and inclusive understanding of their heritage.

The final scene, where Dee departs with the "yard" quilt, can be interpreted in different ways. Some see it as Mama's capitulation to Dee's desires. However, it can also be viewed as an act of self-preservation. Mama recognizes that clinging to Dee's vision of heritage would further alienate her daughter. By letting go of the quilt, Mama protects her fragile relationship with Dee while preserving her own connection to the objects through their everyday use.

It's important to note that defending Mama's perspective doesn't negate Dee's desire for cultural connection. Both characters grapple with complex questions of identity and belonging. However, the story encourages us to critically examine how we engage with our heritage. Dee's approach, while understandable, risks turning it into a museum exhibit, divorced from its lived reality. Mama, on the other hand, exemplifies an organic and practical relationship with her past, where family heirlooms are not just symbols but living threads woven into the fabric of everyday life.

"Everyday Use" is not a story about absolute right or wrong. It's a nuanced exploration of generational conflict, cultural inheritance, and the complexities of navigating one's identity. By defending Mama's perspective, we acknowledge the importance of practicality, self-preservation, and valuing everyday use over mere display. It's a reminder that true cultural heritage thrives not in museums, but in the living fabric of everyday life, passed down through shared experiences and practical wisdom.