Everyday Use By Alice Walker Analysis

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Importance of heritage Tradition is an important part of many people’s lives. There are those people who follow traditions every day in their life but not noticing them as much. On the other hand, there are people that custom and tradition is above anything. They can’t imagine themselves not following their customs. In the short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, the author expresses the significance of culture and heritage and the importance of it to be passed down to the next generation. The protagonist and the narrator of the story, Mrs. Johnson is an African American woman who lives in the south with one of her two daughters. The main character illustrates a strong loving mother who upholds her traditional black culture together…show more content…
80) represents the idea that she wants to be related to a more “fashioned” society and gives the readers a good illustration of the confusion that she has with her own culture. Dee says: "I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.” (pg.80). Furthermore, the readers could sense that the mother is upset because the original name of Dee is given to her by her aunts name Dicie. The name “Dee” symbolizes family unity going back to her old ancestors. It shows how Dee looks at the family on a superior level, since she thinks that she is educated, smart and beautiful. She could choose the “culture” of her own and disrspect her old roots. Although Maggie and the mother are doubtful of Dee, they might not understand culture as well. They have limitations of their own lives. The mother has only second grade education, she is innocent and admits that she can't look in a strangers white man in the eyes which indicates the separation from the real world .Even though Dee insists her inheritance, Maggie and her mother approve her violent pride, they feel the strength of her disrespect but still love her because for them she is still part of their
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