The way that an individual understands their present life is in direct relation to the current traditions of their culture and people. Because America is virtually a compilation of many cultures and traditions, it is not uncommon that one could become confused when confronted about the true value of one's heritage and culture. Through careful descriptions of the characters, settings and quilts in her story "Everyday Use," Alice Walker demonstrates that a person's value of their heritage and culture is not necessarily represented by possessions, but by one's lifestyle and attitude.

Walker utilizes detailed descriptions and emotional appeal of Dee (Wangero), the mother and Maggie to show two different valuations of cultural heritage. Mama and Maggie represent a content, simple and practical way of life, where culture and heritage are valued both for usefulness and personal significance. Mama, the narrator, describes herself as "a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands." She also states that she "knocked a bull calf straight in the brain between the eyes with a sledge hammer and had the meat hung up to chill before night fall." While read

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n scars and shyness. However, like her mother, Maggie possesses skills that many of the past women in the family did, such as quilting. On the other hand, Dee is the representation of a materialistic, complex and modern way of life where culture is decorative and trendy. Dee is on the other end of the spectrum being thin, pretty, and bright. Dee seems a bit artificial and fake. She makes every attempt to participate in her perception of family heritage, but requires paraphernalia to "show off" her culture. Dee's character is portrayed as very selfish, naive and aggressive. Rather than research her lineage through her family, she chose to flow with society and attempt to express her culture through items and actions that she thought had significance. Dee "went to the trunk at the foot of my bed and started rifling through it" in an attempt to gather as many pieces that she could to decorate her house with, expressing no regard for her family. Dee wanted to hang the qui!

lts she found on her wall, while Maggie would have used them for what they were made for - everyday use. Dee obviously expressed no care for the importance of her name by changing it to Wangero. In fact, when questioned about the reasoning behind it, she spouted of a cliched answer, "I couldn't bear it any longer being named after the people who oppress me." Even though Mama tried to reason with her in regards to her name change by explaining that she was named after Aunt Dici

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1036
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)