Everyday Use by Alice Walker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Everyday Use by Alice Walker - Essay Example Mama had the right values; Dee's were a faade. Mama saw her daughters with honest clarity. Dee, "determined to stare down any disaster in her efforts." (Walker, p2) and Maggie, who "knows she is not bright. Like good looks and money, quickness passes her by." (Walker, p2). Dee hated their lifestyle, looked down on her slower sister and fought her way out, with Mama's help. Maggie asked for, and got little, but held onto the true meaning of family heritage and what each item really meant to it. Mama was a fair and realistic woman. Their differences showed in the discussion over each item. Mama and Maggie recalled the important aspects of family history, holding memories and people as valuable. "Aunt Dee's first husband whittled that dash." (Maggie whispered this), whereas Dee would "think of something artistic to do with the dasher." (Walker, p5) Mama understood that Dee was almost making an exhibition of her heritage, not appreciating its value, and with that understanding came her decision over the quilts. She prided herself on being capable, on valuing the results of hard work and appreciating the art and skills of the people who had created the useful items. Dee's proposal to hang the quilts did not match her beliefs. Mama valued the quilts and the other items as