Analysis of "Everyday Use" .
"Everyday Use" is a narrative of the conflict between two daughters, Dee and Maggie. The story begins with Maggie and her mother (the narrator) anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Dee in their yard and ends with them sitting there feeling happier and more comfortable as before, watching her leave. The author through the description of Dee's visit shows how the two daughter's perspectives and appreciation of their heritage differ and how it compares to where they stand today. Dee is confused about the true meaning of her heritage and is not yet at the level of self understanding that Maggie is at. Dee after going off to college has a "new" understanding of her heritage. The author enriches the story through the careful descriptions of the principal characters (details of each individual so that the readers could paint a more accurate picture of the story) and the setting, the development of symbols and by using the voice of the first person narrator, telling the story from the mother's point of view. .
Dee being the distant daughter is characterized as being the smarter, prettier and more outgoing daughter who often intimidates the younger and shyer Maggie. The author describes Dee as being notoriously driven in her pursuit for a better life and gives us an idea of her character in saying that she had few friends and how her boyfriend flew after she turned all her fault finding powers on him. Maggie's character is contrasted by comparing her to a lame dog and by the way she walks with her eyes on the ground, chin on chest and feet in a shuffle. The author also uses the description of the raging fire that destroyed their house to relate it to Maggie's shyness. It was also used to create a sense of sympathy towards her as she was the only of the two sisters noticeably affected by the fire. Through the descriptions of the daughters the narrator gives off sense of jealousy/pride towards Dee as she has moved well beyond her limitations as a child.