Alice Walker's Everyday Use
Throughout history, different ethnic groups have struggled with their place in society. They ask, "who are we, where have we come from, and where do we belong?" In the 1950s and 60s African Americans faced much political and social prejudice based solely on the color of their skin. Race wars broke out in cities across the nation, while power groups such as the Black Panthers marched on Washington. During the mid-1960's, young African Americans proclaimed that they would no longer be oppressed by their current lifestyle and began to celebrate African culture by exploiting it for exotic names and ethnic appeal. However, by discarding their roots, they adopted a culture that did not belong to them, thus abandoning the unique and defining aspects of their own culture. Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" was written during this time in response to the rhetoric of black consciousness and as a challenge to phony Africaness attitudes. Through a family's interactions, Alice Walker conveys that the purest and most sincere way to celebrate one's heritage is by treating it not as a topic of study but rather as a way of life. She then utilizes the quilt, butter churn, and the daughters, Maggie and Dee (Wangero), to symboliz
In "Everyday Use," Alice Walker conveys the seriousness of remembering who we are by understanding our heritage in this post-modern society. Despite our race or ethnicity, it is important to hold on to things that capture what life was like for those who came before us and provided the life we lead today. Maggie provided this aspect in the story, while Dee wallowed in propaganda and politics. Moreover, Walker utilizes this small family, and their struggle with heritage to shadow the problem our country faced during the 1950s and 60s. People lost touch with who they were because they focused on the practicality of their heritage and failed to heed its everyday use.
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Approximate Word count = 1380
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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