a. "a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands."

b. "...wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day"

c. "My fat keeps me hot in zero weather"

a. The narrator imagines being reunited with her daughter on a television show.

b. "...one hundred pounds lighter, my skin an uncooked barely pancake"

c. Dreams of feeling comfortable in the presence of whites.

c. "Who can even imagine me looking a strange white mean in the eye?"

In Alice Walker 's Everyday Use, the theme of the story concerns the way in which an individual understands her present life in relation to the traditions of her people and her culture. Walker presents a clear conflict between the

The narrator is seen at first as a very patient and understanding woman. She seems to understand that Dee wants and must live life differently than her and Maggie. But when we see her snatch the quilt from Dee we see a different side of Mama. We see the side of her that is defensive of Maggie and their lifestyle. Mama is not searching for her heritage and trying to reconnect with it, as is Dee. She is steeped in her heritage, while Dee flutters around the perimeters trying to find a way in.

When Dee arrives Mama sees Dee as overdressed but at the same time beautiful. This shows that mother has the ability to respect and appreciate even those things she did not fully understand. Mama's cultural pride is expressed when mother describes Dee's habit of reading to both herself and Maggie," She used to read to us without pity, forcing words, lies, other folks habits"(p.91) Mama also describes her various abilities including, " I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man...I can work outside

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 676
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)