FREE ESSAY ON EVERYDAY USE: A FAMILY'S DISPARITIES

EVERYDAY USE: A FAMILY'S DISPARITIES

"Everyday Use: A Family's Disparities"
Alice Walker includes three major Characters in her short story "Everyday Use;" Mama and
her two daughters Dee and Maggie. The three have extremely different personalities and
characteristics especially Dee. Dee leaves her mother and her sister to experiences a
better life in college in the city. Meanwhile mama and Maggie elatedly carry out their
usual tasks and every day chores. Later Dee decides to visit her family for her selfish
intention of taking objects from her mother to decorate her apartment according to her
"new culture." Walker uses mama to indicate the immense differences between Dee, Maggie,
and herself.
Mama describes Dee as a young, beautiful girl who wanted "nice things."(281). Dee's
education, pretty face, and cute body impress most people. Intimidated by Dee, many
people concede to Dee's wishes because they know she will in win the end. For example,
when Maggie tells mama that Dee can have the quilts, Maggie has no hope of winning, so
she simply does not try to beat her older sister. Even Mama wished to look a certain way
to please Dee; " a hundred pounds lighter, my skin like an uncooked barley cake"(281).
The selfish Dee never satisfied even after moving to the city, came back to visit mama
and Maggie only to acquire objects that she believes should be used for decoration rather
that to be put to everyday use. The best instance of her selfishness, when she wanted to
take the quilt, displays her materialistic attitude. Having everything her sister desire;
she still wants to take one of the few things set-aside especially for her. Throughout
the story, Dee never indicates any sign of gratitude toward her mother or her sister.
Unattractive and uneducated, Maggie lives contently with her life style. Unlike Dee
Maggie does not wish for better things as long as she has the basic needs and essentials
for living. Maggie wants to use the quilts to keep warm while Dee wishes to hang then as
a display of her "culture." Ashamed of the burn scars throughout her body and her scrawny
figure, Maggie displays some envy towards her sister. "She thinks her sister has held
life in the palm of her hand, that 'no' is a word the world never learned to say to
her"(280). "Dee is lighter than Maggie with nicer hair and fuller figure"(281), for this
reason Maggie feels self-conscious around her sister. Mama describes Maggie's stance as
"Chin on chest, eyes on ground, feet in shuffle"(281). Despite her lack of confidence
Maggie displays her strength silently throughout the tale. She displays this strength
when she tells mama to give the quilts to Dee and that she "can 'member grandma Dee
without the quilts."(283). Maggie is her own person while Dee tries to be better than
everyone, the way she believes people want her to be. Maggie keeps objects around for
conventional uses rather than looks. Maggie may lack the education that Dee acquires but
she is still the smarter of the two in a more customary way.
Courageous and strong like most mothers, mama displays that she wants what is best for
her daughters. She describes herself as "big boned woman with rough man working
hands."(280). Despite her poor way of life mama is content. Mama believes that she has
much in common with Maggie and nothing in common with Dee. Like mama, Maggie has no
intention of getting an education or to have what Dee believes to be a nice life. Mama
believes she has much to be thankful for. Mama shows her strength best when she takes the
quilts from Dee and gives then to Maggie. Mama tries to understand Maggie and Dee but she
will always so what she thinks right even if she hurts one of them.
In conclusion, Maggie and Dee differ in their views of life and their values towards
material objects. Alice Walker displays the characteristics and the contrast between Dee
and Maggie through the viewpoint of mama.