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" by Alice Walker, Dee rejects the quilts her mother offers because she views them as valuable artifacts of her heritage rather than functional items meant for everyday use. She desires the quilts to showcase her cultural identity and heritage as part of her new lifestyle, rather than appreciating their practical purpose and the sentimental value they hold within her family. Dee's attitude reflects a disconnect from her roots, as she seeks to reclaim her heritage in a superficial way.
The family members‘ differing views of their heritage :)
Dee wants the quilts to display in her home as a proud representation of her heritage. However, if it were not a fashionable thing, Dee would not even want the quilts, so in a way it is also a fashion statement more than about her need to capture her heritage.
The family members' differing views of their heritage (apex)
In Alice Walker's "Everyday Use," Dee wants to take the quilts as a symbol of her heritage and showcase them as art rather than use them for their intended purpose. She sees them as valuable artifacts that represent her cultural identity, which she wishes to reclaim and display in her home. However, her sister Maggie and their mother view the quilts as practical items imbued with family history and personal memories, highlighting the difference in their perceptions of heritage and tradition.
The narrator, Mama, thinks that Maggie will appreciate the quilts more as she plans to give them to her as a heritage to carry on their family traditions. Mama believes that Maggie understands the significance and history behind the quilts, while she sees Dee as viewing them as mere decorations.
The quilts because they represent history .
Maggie would likely use the quilts as intended, to keep warm and for practical everyday use. Dee, on the other hand, may view the quilts as valuable artifacts to be displayed or viewed as art rather than for their practical function.
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.
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.
In "Everyday Use," Momma places great value on the quilts as they represent family heritage and personal history. The excerpt where she reflects on the quilts being made from scraps of clothing worn by her ancestors highlights their significance as tangible connections to her family’s past. Momma’s desire to preserve the quilts for Dee, rather than allow them to be used as mere decorative items, underscores her belief in their practical and sentimental worth. This demonstrates that for Momma, the quilts are not just objects, but cherished symbols of love and continuity.