Throughout history, society is constantly changing. Within societies, cultures will also begin to change. These differences are mainly visible among the generations within a culture. Alice Walkers "Everyday Use" is a story that shows how these changes affect a family living in two different worlds. It is about a mom and her daughter Maggie's experience with another daughter who has moved away and come to visit. The mom and Maggie live in a small, rural house and have a simple lifestyle. The other daughter, Dee, has gone off to college and experienced society's changes firsthand. The meeting is awkward between them because of the confusion these changes have caused. Dee has become something that she understands as right and mother and Maggie are the way they are because they see their lives as right. Changes in society cause cultural confusion among the generations. .
During a period when change was surrounding society, many people tried to get back to their roots. One example of this was during the human rights revolution; more specifically with African-Americans. Some started to change their name to one that resembles their African heritage. It was a liberating experience to those who wanted to get rid of their "slave given names" and reclaim the African names. This could easily be taken different ways among generations in a culture. In "Everyday Use", when Dee comes to visit she informs her mother that her name is no longer Dee, but Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo. According to Dee, she is representing her heritage by changing her name. She feels that she is closer to her ancestors this way. The mom and Maggie see the name change differently. To them, the name is representative of her heritage; her families heritage. It is easy to see how there can be two different views concerning the change. .
Another point of confusion is how different generations seem to appreciate things differently.
Heirlooms teach a family what their ancestors did to pass time. So much about our family history originates from heirlooms. ... But not all heirlooms explain to us about what our ancestors did. ... Heirlooms assisted me to comprehend my heritage. ... The best device to research your family history is through an heirloom. ...
While visiting, Dee asked to take some of her family's heirlooms and prized keepsakes back home with her. Her desire to have the heirlooms suggested that maybe Dee had learned about the value of old keepsakes and wanted them for herself. ... It is hard to imagine that someone who wanted nothing to do with her family's heritage and their way of life suddenly becomes interested in everything about her family, especially the heirlooms. Since the heirlooms were old and rich with heritage, Dee knew they were very valuable. ...
If Maggie were to receive the quilts, she would not only appreciate them and put them to use for here own comfort, but she would knit and produce new family heirlooms that would be passed down in further generations. ... Obviously, Dee doesn't understand her heritage by changing her name to "Wangero" when the name Dee is not only passed down for generations, but also looked on as a family heirloom. ... Maggie on the other hand will continue the tradition of quilting for countless generations to come, therefore she deserves the quilts as a wedding gift and family heirloom....
Walker chooses two sisters to develop this point by acknowledging their difference in appearance, personalities and ideas about the family heirlooms, although these two siblings were raised in the same environment they turn out to be two completely unique individuals. ... The families heirlooms are important to both sisters, but for different reasons. ... They both value family heirlooms but have different reasons behind it. ...
The time period in which each lived differs vastly, but their guide in life, the mentor, similar humble beginnings, and their unique way of acquiring an heirloom all prove to be quite similar. ... Once attaining the family heirloom, then can successfully fulfill their destinies. ...
Dee tells her mother and Maggie that they do not understand their heritage, because they plan to put "priceless" heirloom quilts to "everyday use"(Walker 96). ... It is apparent that the only reason for her visit is to get the family heirlooms, not to see the house, her mother, or Maggie. ...
Maggie may not understand what Dee means by "heritage" buth seh "knows how to quilt" and furthermoer she "can' member Grandma Dee without the quilts" These quilts, which have become an heirloom, not only represent the family, but are an integral part of the family. ...
If family members do not learn to value and respect these heirlooms, the tradition and culture of a family could be lost forever. ... From the African homelands to the rural areas of the South, centuries may have passed but quilts, as art will always be family heirlooms. ... The quilts symbolize the family's culture and how a simple item can be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom. ...
