Everyday Use, By Alice Walker Essay, Research Paper
Heritage is an important factor to every developing family. Heritage helps to develop a persons values showing
what they believe in. Particularly about the values of their family. In the story Everyday Use, by Alice Walker,
value of heritage is a main topic. Throughout this story there are many different words used to describe what
Wangero (Dee), Maggie, and their mother value. These choices of words all play an important role in the
contrasting values of these people and the battle over heritage. The mother of Wangero and Maggie is the
narrator of this story. It is evident at the beginning of this story, when the narrator describes her clean yard as an
extended living room, that she is proud of her home. Her house is somewhat of a shanty, meaning well run down
and not very luxurious. Being proud of her home shows that she values what she has and doesn’t complain about
not living in luxury. The narrator also shows that she believes in having a close family. This is evident when she
describes a dream of hers. The dream is about being on a TV program where Dee, her daughter also known as
Wangero, comes on and hugs her; telling her how she appreciates all she has done. This experience of the hug in
public shows that she values her daughter being close to her. This hug being in public shows that the narrator
wants the world to see the family’s interconnectedness. The narrator also shows her closeness with her other
daughter Maggie, later in the story, by referring to her as “my Maggie.” The mother also demonstrates a strong
value in hardwork. This value of hardwork is proven when she describes herself as a women who can hunt and
work outside all day. She is a single mother and it is apparent that she is devoted to her family because of how
hard she works to support their needs. Maggie is the youngest daughter of the narrator; she has many of the same
values as her mother. She was burned in a fire at a young age and is ashamed of her appearance. She is often
intimidated by her older sister which is confirmed when Dee arrives to visit and Maggie attempts to run into the
house. The intimidation is a result of Maggie’s belief that Dee gets whatever she wants and is not accustomed to
the word no. Maggie’s main value is her heritage. She appreciates things made by her ancestors. She also has
knowledge about her ancestry. An example of this knowledge is when Dee asks to have
Uncle Buddy whittled the dasher Maggie is quick to respond “Aunt Dee’s first husband whittled the dash; his
name was Henry but they called him Stash.” Showing that Maggie knows who did what and appreciates the
accomplishments of her relatives. Dee, on the other hand, is very different from Maggie and her mother. She has
been put through college and is well educated as a result. Dee returns to visit her mother and asks for several
objects within the house. Her value of heritage seems to serve more as a memory of where she came from, rather
than an appreciation of her family’s achievements. She asks for household objects such as a butter churn top, a
dasher, and some old quilts. She wants to use these objects for different purposes than what they were originally
for which exhibits that she doesn’t appreciate their uses and is more accustomed to higher luxuries. Another
factor that shows Dee’s disrespect of her heritage is her name change. She changes her name to Wangero maybe
suggesting a change in religion. When Dee is asked by her mother why she changed her name Dee replies, “I
couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.” Her mother then tells her she was
named after her Aunt Dicie, but Dee continues to argue about the name. Obviously Wangero is not happy with
her family name showing a lack respect for her ancestors. The mother gives in and says she will call her by Wangero, letting us know that she is only concerned about her family being happy. The choice of words a person
uses can portray the values they have. Choice of words can often reveal intelligence, anger, respect, or
disrespect. When referring to an individual heritage, choice of words is important. From words used by someone
to describe their heritage we can tell how they feel about issues pertaining to their family. In this story the choice
of words used by the narrator and Maggie show their respect for where they came from. Wangero’s choice of
words, however, shows that she is not happy with her heritage and suggests that she wants to develop a new
heritage of her own. The choice of words in this family obviously plays on important role in the battle over
heritage. My papers weaknesses are its contrasting moments. I believe my papers strengths are its view on many
different people and it explains each one. I also believe that I am getting better on my conclusions which has
seemed to be my weakness.