Symbolism in Walkers Everyday Use

Carl Hill

English 1102-013

Assignment 3 .1

10 /07 /2007

Dee as the Major Symbol in Alice Walker 's "Everyday Use

Introduction

The American Heritage Dictionary defines symbolism as , the practice of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects , events or relationships ' In Alice Walker 's short story , Everyday Use , Walker uses various objects , concrete and intangible , to represent larger ideas and themes By instilling abstract qualities into inanimate objects , Walker is able to weave a complex interplay which itself

is symbolic on many levels

Literature review

A frequent debate between scholars on what symbols Walker uses in her "Everyday Use " has lead to emergence of several interesting theories These theories are centered on the themes of quilts as symbols of heritage , art , writing , and transition of the African American society into a new life . In to fully understand the plot of the short story , as well as its symbols , it will be useful to analyze the works of other literary professionals , who tried to distinguish the proper symbolic threads in Walker 's story "Everyday Use " is frequently referred to as "a poignant narrative that describes the relationship between family members through creative symbolism and fine characterization (Winchell 58 . The moral lesson which Walker wanted to teach the reader through the use of perfectly shaped symbols of identity vs . heritage was formed into a simple plot with profound implications . Literary critics traditionally tend to assume that quilts are the central symbols of the story (Winchell Baker Baker , and they lead us to the ultimate and anticipated conclusion our daily lives are inconsistent without our heritage . However , I would better assume that in the symbolic structure of Walker 's "Everyday Use not the inanimate objects , but the very human characters determine its shape and direction . Moreover , in trying to delineate the symbols in Walker 's story , Dee 's character is the most suitable for this purpose She appears to be the single carrier of multiple symbols : heritage redemption , connection between herself and her family (her house , and "the dawning sense of self (Tuten 125 . I have come to this conclusion through multiple reading of "Everyday Use " and the works of literary critics . This is why I will try to construct my discussion logically

It is difficult to deny that quilts represent one of the strongest symbols in Walker 's work of fiction . In his research , Whitsitt referred to the fact that "paralleling the success of Walker 's story has been that of another cultural artifact , the quilt , which since the Sixties has undergone a rather spectacular revaluation , moving from the marginalized position it held as a symbol of gossipy women 's sewing circles , to becoming by the Seventies the "central metaphor of American cultural identity (443

It is hardly possible to believe that quilts which seem to be the brightest symbol of "Everyday Use , in reality appear to be popularized by Walker . Their popularity has expanded so rapidly , that the symbol of...