FREE ESSAY ON "EVERYDAY USE" BY ALICE WALKER

"EVERYDAY USE" BY ALICE WALKER

Through contrasting family members and views in "Everyday Use", Alice Walker illustrates
the importance of understanding our present life in relation to the traditions of our own
people and culture. Using careful descriptions and attitudes, Walker demonstrates which
factors contribute to the values of one's heritage and culture; she illustrates that
these are represented not by the possession of objects or mere appearances, but by one's
lifestyle and attitude. In "Everyday Use" Walker personifies the different sides of
culture and heritage in the characters of Dee and the mother (the narrator). Dee can be
seen to represent a materialistic, complex, and modern way of life where culture and
heritage are to be valued only for their "trendy-ness" and aesthetic appeal. Mother on
the other hand, represents a simple content way of life where culture and heritage are
valued for both its usefulness as well as its personal significance. The story clearly
endorses Mama's simple, unsophisticated view of heritage, and shows disdain for Dee's
materialistic connection to her heritage.
This is demonstrated from the outset of the short story, we learn very quickly that the
mother (narrator) has inherited many customs and traditions from her ancestors. She
describes herself as "a large big-boned woman with rough man-working hands" (485). She
also describes here various abilities including, " I can kill and clean a hog as
mercilessly as a man...I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing.
I can eat pork liver cooked over the open fire minutes after it comes steaming from the
hog. One winter I knocked a bull calf straight in the brain between the eyes with a
sledgehammer and had the meat hung up to chill by nightfall." (485) While these feats are
not extraordinary, Walker exemplifies what Mother has learned from her ancestors, and
that being resilient and tough is a part of her heritage. Mother is very proud of her
abilities and accomplishments. 
Mrs. Johnson, the mother, describes Dee as light skinned with nice hair and a full figure
(486). She recounts Dee's childhood and her appreciation of nice things. She was not the
least upset when the family home burned to the ground while she was just a girl, "Why
don't you do a dance around the ashes? I'd wanted to ask her. She had hated the house
that much." (486) 
Dee's character in the story is a direct relation to any number of people in society that
do not know or are confused about their heritage. She is struggling to create an identity
for herself, and is confused as to what it encompasses. She grasps at African tradition
and culture, yet fails to acknowledge her own African American culture. This happened all
over America, particularly in the North, in the 1960's, following the civil rights
movement. Dee is misconstruing her heritage as material goods, as opposed to her
ancestor's habits and way of life. This may be due in part to her leaving her hometown
and becoming an educated, sophisticated young woman.
Dee's direct heritage is that of African Americans. When Dee informs her mother and
Maggie she has changed her name she states, " I couldn't stand it anymore, being named
after the people that oppress me." (488) Dee's mother is quick to point out that Dee is
in fact named after her aunt, who was named after her grandmother. While Dee may not be
an "African" name it is based on ancestors, tradition, and the heritage of the Johnson
family. Dee discards this name in favor of an African name, Wangero, that, although is
African, is not directly related to her heritage. It has not been passed down through
generations, nor does it symbolize anything directly related to her family.
The contradiction of culture and heritage becomes more evident as the quilts are
introduced into the story. While the Johnson's sit down to lunch, Dee begins to admire
the butter churn and the dasher. Although she has a brief recollection of Uncle Buddy
whittling the churn, she is much more interested in the churn top as a centerpiece for
her alcove table. Following lunch Dee re-discovers the quilts. The quilts were composed
of an eclectic array of material including, " scraps of dresses Grandma Dee had worn
fifty years ago. Bits and pieces of Grandpa Jarrell's Paisley shirts. And one teeny faded
blue piece...that was from Great Grandpa Ezra's uniform he wore in the Civil War." (489)
Dee decides she wants the quilts to hang on the wall and deems the priceless. However,
Mrs. Johnson clearly remembers offering Dee a quilt to take away for university and Dee
proclaiming they were old fashioned and out of style.
The argument over the quilts symbolizes the black woman's dilemma in confronting the
future. After Mrs. Johnson confirms she is giving the quilts to Maggie, Dee states, " You
just don't understand...Your heritage". (491) Dee believes heritage to be as tangible as
a quilt on the wall or a quaint butter churn in the alcove. She is aware the items are
hand made by her ancestors, nevertheless remains unaware of the knowledge and history
behind them. Mrs. Johnson knows the traditions and history behind the quilts; they put
their ancestor's memories to everyday use.
While Dee may be working towards a period of enlightenment, she certainly did not
demonstrate the insight that may come as she matures. Through "Everyday Use" Walker shows
that culture is neither name changes nor speaking a foreign tongue. One's culture and
heritage are taught, from one generation to the next, not suddenly picked up or acquired.
A person who possesses real heritage and culture make use of it every day of their life.