Delving into Heritage: The Central Theme of Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use'

Alice Walker’s renowned short story, “Everyday Use,” delves deep into the nuances of cultural identity, heritage, and the stark contrast between superficial and profound understanding of one’s lineage. This post will explore these thematic elements, revealing how they shape the narrative and influence the characters’ interactions.

The story revolves around a black mother and her two daughters, Maggie and Dee. Both daughters view their heritage and identity from two contrasting perspectives, a dichotomy that forms the story’s crux.

Walker uses these characters to impart the theme of ‘everyday use,’ illustrating how heritage can be both celebrated and exploited.

Dee, the elder daughter, is characterized as confident, educated, and distant from her roots. She returns home after gaining education, bringing along a superficial appreciation of her African heritage. Her perspective of heritage is anchored in aesthetic and materialistic values. She covets family heirlooms, like the quilt and butter churn, not for their practical value or the memories they hold, but for their antique and cultural appeal.

She intends to use these items for display purposes, reflecting her superficial understanding of her cultural heritage.

In stark contrast, Maggie, the younger daughter, is shy, uneducated, and deeply connected to her family’s traditions and roots. She views heritage as a living entity that is a part of her everyday life. Unlike Dee, Maggie understands the true value of the family heirlooms. She sees them as embodiments of her ancestors’ lives, interwoven with the threads of their stories and experiences.

Through the different attitudes of Dee and Maggie towards their heritage, Walker brings out the theme of ‘everyday use.

Get quality help now

RhizMan

Verified

Proficient in: Philosophy

4.9 (247)

“ Rhizman is absolutely amazing at what he does . I highly recommend him if you need an assignment done ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

’ She argues that heritage should not be treated as a static display piece or a subject of exotic fascination. Instead, it should be integrated into daily life, respected, and treasured.

The mother, as the narrator of the story, recognizes the authenticity in Maggie’s understanding of heritage. She realizes that Maggie, by appreciating the practical and historical significance of their family heirlooms, holds a deeper connection to her roots than Dee. The quilts, made by their grandmother, hold sentimental value and represent their true heritage, something to be used and lived, not merely displayed. Hence, the mother decides to give the quilts to Maggie, favoring the ‘everyday use’ of heritage over its aesthetic appreciation.

In conclusion, Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” profoundly explores the theme of cultural heritage and its appreciation. Through the contrasting characters of Dee and Maggie, Walker imparts the idea that heritage is not merely a materialistic or aesthetic possession but an integral part of one’s daily life. By embracing the ‘everyday use’ of heritage, one can truly respect and carry forward the legacy of their ancestors. This theme, interwoven with compelling storytelling and complex characters, is what makes “Everyday Use” a powerful narrative about cultural identity and heritage.