The Truth Behind Everyday Use

“The Truth Behind Everyday Use”

Section I

Topic

“Everyday Use” written by Alice Walker is a unique story that focuses on the differences between a family because of heritage and education. Written in 1973 as part of a series of short stories called “In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women” Walker published one of the most best work of her career. Finding a way to engulf both the actions of the civil right movement along with family conflict, Alice Walker does just that. She creates magic as she forges two worlds together in order for readers to see eye to eye.

I chose this story because it displays to topics that are not only essential for everyone to be familiar with but to truly grasp ahold of. This story never really interested me up until recently when I looked at it in a different light, and saw the light. Mama and her shy daughter, Maggie live in the south, rooted to their heritage while their older daughter and sister lives up north embracing what she believes to be her true heritage, while earning a manful education. I too try my best to learn about my heritage but I don’t always get it exactly right, however I never portray to be someone I’m not. In this observation I tend to be more of a Maggie than a Dee, but nonetheless this story goes hand in hand into the literature I’ve read in English this year.

Section II 
 Secondary Sources

Fight vs. Flight: A Re-evaluation of Dee

The story centers from women during Civil Rights as explained in the article. Dee is known to be shallow and self-centered, and much different than how she was raised to be. A girl who wanted nothing more to get away from her heritage is now embracing is to the full capacity. Maggie is a constant character who remains fearless in times of despair, especially when meeting Dee’s friend, Hakim. Maggie is never altered and stays true to who she is. Dee appears to be always having to prove herself, to emphasize that her education has set her above her family. This is something Walker primarily focuses on. Words and thoughts that people say can often be misinterpreted, but always destructive in the manner that it is used.

Farrell, Susan. "Fight Vs. Flight: A Re-Evaluation Of Dee In Alice Walker's “Everyday Use”." Studies In Short Fiction 35.2 (1998): 179. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Destroying to Save: Idealism and Pragmatism

This article is about a character often forgot about, or ignored is Hakim. He plays a big influence in Dee’s life and her new found beliefs. Hakim appears to have good intentions but he acts odd towards