This question refers to the text "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker. In this story, we see that Mama and Dee (Mama's daughter) have a very different opinion of what heritage means.
Dee believes that her culture as an African American leads back to the experiences of African people and slavery. She sees white Americans as oppressors, and believes that the rediscovery of African roots is essential in order to develop an identity. She also believes that culture is something to be celebrated.
On the other hand, Mama has a more intimate understanding of culture. She links the heritage of their people to the experiences of past generations of their own family. She also sees a stronger link between her present and her culture, as opposed to a connection with Africa. Finally, she is able to see culture in the everyday, mundane things of life, as opposed to the highly developed cultural expressions that Dee enjoys.
Answer:
Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” shows the relationship between an African-American mother and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie. While the mother and Maggie embrace their simple life, Dee has rejected her heritage and has turned to a different set of beliefs that she thinks truly define her cultural identity. These opposing attitudes are reflected in their views about the family quilts.
In the story, Dee’s mother recounts an incident where they argued over a set of ancestral quilts. While Dee insists she’ll keep the old quilts made by their grandmothers, Mama prefers to give them to her younger daughter, Maggie. Dee protests that Maggie will never understand the true value of the quilts, insisting:
"Maggie can't appreciate these quilts!" she said. "She'd probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use."
Dee argues such quilts should be seen as artifacts. For Dee, her upbringing and its culture is something that should be displayed as “art” in her home and not used.
On the other hand, the mother remembers how those quilts were made and uses them with love and care. She believes they should be used every day to celebrate the family’s heritage and stay connected to family traditions and beliefs. Therefore, the two women have very different views on the definition of their heritage and how to respect and celebrate it.
Explanation:
