Walker continues to use other objects to characterize the characters personality.
The quilt in "Everyday Use " signifies a different meaning to Dee, it helps characterize Dee's personality in comparison to Mama and Maggie. "The truth is, " I said, "I promised to give them quilts to Dee, for when she marries John Thomas " (Walker 815). Mama wants to continue to follow her traditions she inherits by passing down the quilts to Dee. In the same fashion the quilt was pass down to her. Mama values the idea to continue this tradition in regards of Maggie objective opinion. Mama is faithfulness with her beliefs continues to strive forward even with Dee's distance towards her heritage. Maggie characterizes herself to be very straightforward when it comes to the objects that symbolize meaning toward her family heritage. Maggie is very adamant regarding that Dee would not appreciate the importance of the quilt. "Dee can't appreciate these quilts! " she said. "She'd probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use " (Walker 815). Maggie passionate personality tries to helps Dee to understand the meaning of the quilt besides the physical and materialistic characteristic she see's. Maggie is not convince that Dee would ever understand the meaning of the quilt and what it meant to Mama and her grandparents.
"You just don't understand, " she said, as Maggie and I came out to the car. .
"What don't I understand? " I wanted to know. .
"Your heritage, " she said. And then she turned to Maggie, kissed her, and said, .
"You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. (Walker 816).
Dee attitude characterize her, as self-centered. She has no desire for the quilts or any intentions on carrying on the family tradition such as adding more material to weave the quilt. Dee's characteristic towards the quilt shows no monumental value to her culture and belief. Throughout the story Alice Walker use the quilt to display Mama and Maggie similar personalities and Dee self- centered attitude.