Alice Walker's Everyday use is about a mother and her two daughters named Dee and Maggie. The story is narrated by a woman who is faced with the decision to give away two quilts to one of her daughters. Between the sisters, it seemed Dee is the selfish one, and as a result, received whatever she desired. Although the girls were raised by the same woman, in the same home. Maggie and Dee are different in their appearences, their personalaties, and their ideas about the family life style. Dee perceives the quilts as popular fashion and beleives they should undoubtedly be given to her. Maggie still lives at home and understands the family heritage. The conflict between Maggie and Dee is about whatever heritage exists in things or in spirit, or process. Dee, who "at sixteen had a style of her own: and knew what style was," has recently returned to her roots because they are fashionable. She goes as far as to change her name from Dee to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo. According to Dee, Maggie's problem is that she doesnot understand her "heritage" and as a consequence she will never make anything of herself. 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. Dee covets the quilts for their financial and aesthetic value. "But they're priceless". she exclains, when seh learns that her mother has already promised them to Maggie. Maggie values them for what them mean to her as an individual. Maggie connection with the quilts is personal and emotional rather than financial and aesthetic. She also knows that the quilts are an active process, kept alive through continous family renewal.
