Alice Walkers short story Everyday Use

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Alice Walker 's Everyday Use

Alice Walker 's Everyday Use features three main characters in the story that embody several concepts . First is Dee , who is said to be a representation of a struggle for an amalgamated identity , second is Maggie who , according to a critic , is the guardian of history ' and lastly , Mama who is said to have an inherent understanding of heritage ' She serves as an artistic illustration and embodiment of the diverse African-American culture and tradition (qtd . Powell

Mama and Maggie

illustrate a content , practical and simple way of life where tradition and culture are appreciated and valued for their worth usefulness and personal importance . Dee , on the other hand , shows no appreciation and care for the significance of her name by altering it to Wangero . She is the embodiment of a materialistic , worldly , multifaceted and complex modern way of life where culture is decorative , enhancing and trendy

Alice Walker incorporates themes with regards to identity and tradition . Traditions in the story cover a myriad of meanings . For Mama and Maggie , traditions are created and constructed in inherited and acquired objects and ways of thinking . On the contrary , Dee 's belief about traditions is no longer used in everyday life and are damaged and corrupted by history . She illustrates and presented that the appreciation of a person with regards to his or her values and traditions is not necessarily represented and portrayed by possessions but by the person 's lifestyle , attitude and character...