What Is The Theme Of Everyday Use

Everyday Use, a poignant short story by Alice Walker, delves into the complexities of heritage, identity, and the differing ways individuals connect with their past. Through the contrasting perspectives of Mama, Dee (Wangero), and Maggie, the story explores how the appreciation and utilization of one's heritage can become a source of conflict, especially when viewed through the lenses of cultural appropriation, academic idealism, and practical experience. The central theme revolves around the true meaning of heritage and its everyday use, prompting readers to question what it truly means to honor one's roots.

Understanding the Core of Heritage

The story challenges readers to consider what constitutes authentic heritage. Is it something to be displayed and admired from afar, or is it something to be lived and breathed daily? Walker introduces three distinct perspectives on this issue, each represented by a different character:

• Mama, the narrator, embodies a practical and deeply personal connection to her heritage. She is a woman of the earth, uneducated but wise, who understands heritage as the skills, traditions, and values passed down through generations and put to use in everyday life.
• Dee (Wangero), Mama's eldest daughter, represents a more academic and arguably superficial understanding of heritage. She seeks to reclaim her African roots through a newfound interest in African culture and a rejection of her given name, viewing her heritage as something to be curated and displayed.
• Maggie, the younger daughter, embodies a quiet and unassuming connection to her heritage. Scarred by a house fire and lacking Dee's intellectual prowess, she possesses a deep and intuitive understanding of her family's history, learned through observation and participation in everyday activities.

The Clash of Perspectives: Heritage as a Point of Contention

The conflict in "Everyday Use" arises from the differing interpretations of heritage held by Dee and Mama. Dee's arrival home after years away at college brings these contrasting views into sharp relief. She is eager to claim various family artifacts, including quilts made by her grandmother and aunt, not for their practical use but as decorative objects to be displayed as symbols of her newfound African identity.

This desire to possess and display her heritage clashes with Mama's understanding of the quilts as functional objects meant for everyday use. Mama knows that Maggie has been promised the quilts upon her marriage and intends to use them, continuing the tradition of their ancestors. This sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation, forcing Mama to choose between her daughters and ultimately affirming her commitment to Maggie's practical and lived experience of heritage.

Key Elements that Highlight the Theme

Several literary devices and elements contribute to the development and understanding of the theme of everyday use:

• Symbolism: Objects like the quilts, the benches, and even the family home itself symbolize different aspects of heritage and the characters' relationships to it. The quilts, in particular, represent the tension between practical use and artistic appreciation.
• Characterization: The contrasting personalities and beliefs of Mama, Dee, and Maggie serve as a vehicle for exploring different perspectives on heritage. Their interactions and dialogues reveal the complexities and contradictions inherent in understanding one's roots.
• Setting: The rural Southern setting, with its history of poverty and racial discrimination, provides a backdrop for the story's exploration of heritage. The characters' connection to the land and their community shapes their understanding of their identity.
• Narrative Voice: Mama's first-person narration provides a unique and intimate perspective on the events of the story. Her voice, characterized by its honesty, humility, and practicality, allows readers to understand her values and motivations.

Exploring the Sub-Themes within Everyday Use

Beyond the central theme of heritage, "Everyday Use" also explores several related sub-themes:

• Education vs. Experience: The story contrasts Dee's formal education with Mama and Maggie's practical experience. While Dee has gained knowledge and a new perspective through her studies, she has also become disconnected from her family and their traditions.
• Cultural Appropriation: Dee's adoption of an African name and her desire to possess her family's artifacts can be interpreted as cultural appropriation. She seeks to selectively embrace aspects of her heritage that she finds appealing, without fully understanding or respecting the context in which they originated.
• Identity and Self-Discovery: The story explores the characters' search for identity and their attempts to define themselves in relation to their heritage. Dee's transformation into Wangero represents a conscious effort to reinvent herself, while Mama and Maggie find their identity rooted in their connection to their family and their community.
• The Value of Tradition: "Everyday Use" highlights the importance of tradition and the role it plays in shaping individual and collective identity. The story suggests that traditions are not merely relics of the past but living practices that continue to inform and enrich the present.

The Significance of the Title

The title "Everyday Use" is crucial to understanding the story's central theme. It emphasizes the importance of using and living one's heritage, rather than simply displaying it as a symbol of identity. The quilts, which are at the center of the conflict, are a prime example of this. Mama believes they should be used to keep warm, while Dee sees them as artistic artifacts to be admired. The title suggests that true appreciation of heritage comes from incorporating it into everyday life and passing it on to future generations.

Understanding the Characters' Motivations

To fully grasp the theme of everyday use, it's essential to delve deeper into the motivations of each character:

Mama:

• Driven by a deep love for her daughters and a desire to protect their heritage.
• Values practicality and tradition, believing that heritage should be lived and used.
• Resists Dee's attempts to appropriate her family's artifacts for display.
• Ultimately chooses to honor Maggie's connection to her heritage by giving her the quilts.

Dee (Wangero):

• Motivated by a desire to connect with her African roots and assert her identity.
• Sees her heritage as something to be curated and displayed as a symbol of her newfound awareness.
• Lacks a deep understanding of the practical and emotional significance of her family's traditions.
• Her transformation into Wangero reflects a desire to distance herself from her past and embrace a new identity.

Maggie:

• Represents a quiet and unassuming connection to her heritage.
• Understands the practical and emotional significance of her family's traditions.
• Willing to sacrifice her own desires for the sake of family harmony.
• Her willingness to use the quilts in everyday life reflects a deep appreciation for her heritage.

The Lasting Impact of "Everyday Use"

"Everyday Use" continues to resonate with readers today because it raises important questions about identity, heritage, and the meaning of progress. The story challenges us to consider how we connect with our past and how we can honor our traditions without romanticizing or appropriating them.

The story's exploration of cultural appropriation is particularly relevant in today's world, where issues of identity and representation are at the forefront of public discourse. "Everyday Use" reminds us to be mindful of the ways in which we engage with other cultures and to avoid reducing complex traditions to mere symbols or commodities.

Ultimately, "Everyday Use" suggests that true appreciation of heritage comes from understanding its practical and emotional significance and incorporating it into our daily lives. It is a call to honor the traditions of our ancestors not by simply displaying them, but by living them.

Analyzing the Literary Devices

Alice Walker masterfully employs literary devices to enhance the story's thematic depth:

• Irony: Dee's rejection of her given name, a name passed down through generations, is ironic considering her desire to connect with her heritage. This highlights the superficiality of her understanding of her roots.
• Foreshadowing: Mama's dreams and fantasies about reuniting with Dee foreshadow the conflict that arises upon her arrival. These dreams also reveal Mama's deep-seated insecurities and her desire to be seen as worthy in her daughter's eyes.
• Imagery: Walker uses vivid imagery to create a sense of place and to bring the characters and their surroundings to life. The description of the rural Southern landscape and the family's home evokes a strong sense of connection to the past.
• Dialogue: The dialogue between the characters is realistic and revealing, exposing their contrasting values and beliefs. Dee's condescending tone and Mama's down-to-earth responses highlight the gap between their perspectives.

"Everyday Use" in Contemporary Context

The themes explored in "Everyday Use" remain incredibly relevant in today's society. In a world increasingly focused on cultural identity and the preservation of heritage, Walker's story provides a valuable framework for understanding the complexities of these issues.

• Museums and Cultural Institutions: The story raises questions about the role of museums and cultural institutions in preserving and presenting heritage. Should these institutions focus on displaying artifacts as objects of art, or should they strive to create more immersive and interactive experiences that connect visitors to the lived experiences of the past?
• Genealogy and Ancestry: The popularity of genealogy and ancestry research reflects a growing interest in connecting with one's heritage. "Everyday Use" encourages us to go beyond simply tracing our family trees and to delve deeper into the stories and traditions that have shaped our identities.
• Social Media and Cultural Exchange: Social media platforms have facilitated unprecedented levels of cultural exchange, but they have also raised concerns about cultural appropriation and the commodification of heritage. "Everyday Use" reminds us to engage with other cultures with respect and sensitivity, avoiding the temptation to reduce complex traditions to mere trends or aesthetics.

The Author's Intent

While it's impossible to definitively know an author's intent, we can infer some possibilities based on the text itself and Alice Walker's broader body of work. It's likely that Walker intended to:

• Challenge conventional notions of heritage: Walker likely wanted to push readers to consider that heritage isn't just about what you can display, but how you live your life and honor the traditions passed down.
• Highlight the importance of practical knowledge and lived experience: The story champions the wisdom of Mama and Maggie, who possess a deep understanding of their heritage rooted in their daily lives.
• Critique cultural appropriation: Dee's character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of selectively embracing aspects of a culture without fully understanding or respecting its context.
• Celebrate the strength and resilience of Black women: Mama is a powerful and complex character who embodies the strength and resilience of Black women in the face of adversity.

Examining Different Interpretations

"Everyday Use" is a rich and complex story that has been interpreted in various ways. Some critics have focused on the story's exploration of African American identity, while others have emphasized its critique of cultural appropriation. Still others have focused on the relationship between mothers and daughters and the challenges of intergenerational understanding.

It's important to consider these different interpretations when reading "Everyday Use" and to form your own informed opinion about the story's meaning and significance. The beauty of literature lies in its ability to spark dialogue and to invite readers to engage with complex issues from multiple perspectives.

Conclusion: Living Heritage, Not Just Displaying It

In conclusion, "Everyday Use" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the complexities of heritage, identity, and the importance of living one's traditions. Through the contrasting perspectives of Mama, Dee, and Maggie, Alice Walker challenges us to consider what it truly means to honor our roots and to avoid reducing our heritage to mere symbols or commodities. The story's enduring relevance lies in its ability to spark dialogue about cultural appropriation, the value of practical knowledge, and the enduring strength of family bonds. Ultimately, "Everyday Use" reminds us that true appreciation of heritage comes from incorporating it into our everyday lives and passing it on to future generations. The quilts, in the end, are not meant to be hung on a wall, but to provide warmth, comfort, and a tangible connection to the past, used and loved in everyday use.