The family members‘ differing views of their heritage :)
The family members' differing views of their heritage (apex)
the handmade quilts
the handmade quilts
The quilts in "Everyday Use" symbolize heritage, family roots, and tradition. They represent the connection to the past and the importance of honoring and preserving one's cultural legacy. The conflict over the quilts reflects the differing views on the significance of these cultural artifacts within the family.
In everyday use, family members who tend to get cold during the night also tend to get more quilts on their beds. Traditionally, the best and more artful quilts are saved to be used by guests as an expression of hospitality and honor.
The quilt that Dee wants to take as a decoration represents the family's heritage to Mama and Maggie as it was made from the clothes of their ancestors. To Dee, however, the quilt is seen as a fashionable item that symbolizes her African heritage. This difference in interpretation highlights the clash between traditional and modern values within the family.
meggie get the quilt at the end of the story
the quilts Apex
She takes the quilts from Dee and gives them to Maggie. In the story, "Everyday Use," Dee and Maggie had a conflict over the quilts. Mama resolved the conflict by taking the quilts from Dee and giving them to Maggie, who would love them, use them and hand them down to the next generation.
In Alice Walker's "Everyday Use," the quilts symbolize cultural heritage and personal identity. For Dee, the quilts represent a link to her African roots and a means to showcase her heritage as art, detached from their practical use. In contrast, for Maggie, the quilts embody a deep familial connection and the memories of her ancestors, serving as a tangible reminder of her upbringing and the love within her family. This difference highlights their contrasting views on heritage: Dee seeks to claim it as a status symbol, while Maggie values it as a living part of her life.
Two old quilts
The climax in "Everyday Use" occurs when Dee wants to take the family quilts to hang them up as decorations. Mama, the narrator, initially agrees but then decides to give the quilts to Maggie, the sister who will put them to everyday use, leading to a moment of tension and realization about the value of heritage and tradition.