“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker

p 3 Compare and Contrast

The central conflict of both stories Alice Walker 's Everyday Use and Gish Jen 's Who 's Irish ' is the generation gap as both protagonists belong to the older generation and look at the things from a different perspective as compared with the younger generations . Both protagonists are similar as they look at the new socio-cultural realties from their pre-conceived socio-cultural notions and experiences . This makes their personalities alike but different from the younger generations . Beside this similarity , there are certain other resemblances in their

character as well disposition . Both are old and their main conflict is with their children (daughter or granddaughter Both symbolize strong personalities but they are not rigid . They possess enough flexibility that they can mould themselves to adjust according to the new realties and socio-cultural environment

In Everyday Use ' the central conflict is symbolized by two main characters Mrs . Johnson and Dee . Dee is an epitome of shallow materialism and an adherent of prevailing concept of heritage where heritage is revered only for trendiness and aesthetic attraction whereas Mrs . Johnson admires heritage for its practical utility and personal importance . Piedmont-Mortob is of the view that central conflict is between Maggie and Dee and is about whether heritage exists in things or in spirit , or process ' Dee 's longing for heritage is for ostentatious reasons . Contemporary periodical necessities make her cherish and celebrate her Afro-American heritage . Dee views her heritage as an artifact which she can possess and appreciate from a distance instead of as a process in which she is always intimately involved (Piedmont-Marton ) But Mrs . Johnson and Maggie have learnt to live with their heritage . Dee is captivated by the beauty of churn top ' and wanted to have it to be used as centerpiece for her alcove table whereas Mrs . Johnson has used it practically for churn butter hitherto . Walker utilizes the butter churn to demonstrate Mrs . Johnson 's intrinsic understanding of heritage

In Who 's Irish , the mother has conflict with his daughter who marries to an jobless Irish American . Her sole concern is not the joblessness but the differences in the socio-cultural backgrounds . But her daughter is socialized according to the new socio-cultural situations . She cherishes her Chinese heritage (similar to Mrs . Johnson values and appreciates her heritage ) whereas her Daughter (like Dee ) believes in materialist world and hankers after materialist success . Chinese mother tries to adopt herself to the new environment by socializing with members of household and mingling up with her granddaughter but she realizes that beside cultural gaps , there exists the generation gap (same as Mrs Johnson

The main difference between both protagonists is their final adaptability to the situation . Mrs . Johnson adapts to the situation in a perfect way as she allows Dee to take whatever she wants reside wherever she wants . Although Dee 's sister insists that she should stay with them but her mother (Mrs Johnson ) does not want to detain Dee and wants her to live her life in her own...