Question

How can we relate to both daughters in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"?

a) They are both equally unlikable.
b) They both have a deep appreciation for their family heritage.
c) They both have conflicted relationships with their mother.
d) They both have a desire to sell the family quilts.

Answer 1

Dee and Maggie from "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker represent differing views on family heritage and the meaning of ancestral belongings, with the quilts symbolizing these themes. Dee sees them as cultural artifacts, while Maggie sees them as everyday heirlooms, with their mother siding with Maggie's perspective.

Step-by-step explanation:

The character traits and motivations of the daughters in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" are complex and should not be oversimplified. Dee and Maggie have distinct perspectives and values regarding their heritage and the family quilts, which are symbolic of that heritage.

Dee represents a more modern, outward-looking approach to heritage, where she wants to display the quilts as artifacts of cultural significance. On the other hand, Maggie has a more traditional, functional appreciation, viewing the quilts as living heirlooms to be used and cherished in everyday life.

The quilts are emblematic of the family's history and represent a tangible connection to their ancestors. Furthermore, their mother, Mama, ultimately sides with Maggie's point of view, suggesting an endorsement of heritage as something to be actively lived rather than passively observed.