Mama does not even realize that she is what her heritage has told her to become. There has been no real change from the past for her; she just lives what she was told to live by her predecessors. Mama doesn't know enough to advance herself, admitting that she "never had an education . . . After second grade the school was closed down" (45). Even if she had gotten a proper education, she still is choosing to do what she is best at doing: "I was always better at a man's job" (45). Although Mama is not aware of it, she is a living artifact of her heritage.

Maggie is not aware of much in her life. Even Mama knows that Maggie doesn't have the best abilities: "She stumbles along good-naturedly but can't see well. She knows she is not bright. Lik

e good looks and money, quickness passed her by" (45). Maggie probably could not have an intellectual appreciation of her heritage even if she desired one because of her lack of brightness. However, Maggie does have the knowledge of how to do the things in her heritage, passing along traditions to whatever children she may have with John Thomas.

Heritage should not be appreciated in just one way, exclusive to the other. Neither of these views is entirely right or entirely wrong, rather a blend is what Walker seems to be suggesting. A person should recognize the significance of historical artifacts but also keep a piece of it with them in their daily lives, but not to the extreme of Mama and Maggie's living. Still, one should not be so devoid of the living that they cannot even see it when it is placed in front of them. A purely intellectual understanding of heritage isn't truly understanding it at all. Knowing where we come from and what our roots are is just as important as being where we come from and living what our roots are. The Johnson family combined is the perfect balance, they are just unaware of how well they balance each other.

Mama reveals herself as the strong woman she claimed to be. The transformation comes to her very overwhelmingly: "When I looked at her like that something hit me in the top of my head and ran down to the soles of my feet. Just like when I'm in church and the spirit of God touches me and I get happy and shout" (49). She literally does get happy and shout. She takes Maggie's side for once and rejects Dee/Wangero's request for the quilts. Previously, Mama felt intimidated by her daughter, as her daydream of being reunited with her on Johnny Carson clearly illustrates, but now she is taking the superior position, the parental position. This transformation does not last long unfortunately. As soon as Dee/Wangero has departed, Mama and Maggie are back to being what they were before the visit. Mama asks Maggie to get her some snuff and, as we can a

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1356
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)