Characterization in "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker.
A superficial idea of African-American heritage is blatantly shown through a young character named Dee, in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use." On the other hand, her mother counteracts her daughter's ignorance. She challenges Black Power, which Dee is the symbol for in this remarkable story. Walker, through her characterization use of Dee and Maggie, tells about their conflicting relationship with Mama. Their heritage is so important to their mother that she shuns Dee for not respecting it while praising Maggie for appreciating it. This story takes place back in the late 60's to early 70's when black people were still under a lot of pressure from the whites. It was a time when they were still trying to culturally define themselves.
Maggie, Mama's younger daughter, has the same beliefs of their family heritage as her mother does. In Mama's eyes, "She knows she is not bright. Like looks and money, quickness passed her by" (90). Although Maggie might not be very intelligent, she is very knowledgeable about her lineage and understands the importance of her heritage. When she was a few years younger a fire took their previous home away from them. Maggie was very physically and emotionally scarred by this tragedy and is described by Mama as:.
Have you ever seen a lame animal, perhaps a dog run over by some careless person rich enough to own a car, sidle up to someone who is ignorant enough to be kind to him? That is the way my Maggie walks. She has been like this, chin on chest, eyes on ground, feet in shuffle, ever since the fire that burned the other house to the ground. (89).
When her sister comes home to visit, despite this misfortune, Maggie still has the courage to inform Dee about the dash that she wants to take back with her. Dee's friend Barber asks: .
"Uncle Buddy whittle that, too?".
"Aunt Dee's first husband whittled the dash," said Maggie so low you almost couldn't hear her.
