Exploring The Symbolism in Everyday Use by Alice Walker

Imagery in Everyday Use: Exploring The Symbolic Meanings

Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use" takes a deep dive into family ties, heritage, and what everyday objects mean to us. It's pretty interesting how Walker uses vivid imagery throughout the story to deliver some strong messages about identity and cultural value. So, by checking out these images, we can really get what's going on with the story's themes and see what they mean for both individuals and society.

The Quilt as Heritage

The quilt in "Everyday Use" is one of the biggest symbols Walker throws at us. This quilt isn't just a piece of fabric; it's all about heritage and who you are. It's patched together with pieces from different fabrics, each carrying its own backstory. Walker paints this picture to show just how important it is to hold on to your culture and all those unique stories tied up with it.

Like when she talks about a piece of Great Grandpa Ezra's Civil War uniform stitched into the quilt (Walker 10), it gives off this vibe that connects you to the past, highlighting how crucial family history is. Through the quilt imagery, Walker makes it clear that our heritage is something precious, something we should keep alive across generations.

The Burned House: A Break from Roots

Then there's Dee's old house that's been burned down. It stands as this symbol of Dee trying to cut herself off from her roots. The way it's described as being "burned to the ground" (Walker 5) speaks volumes about loss and destruction. It's almost like saying Dee wants nothing more than to run away from her family's history for a new identity. This burning house shows how erasing history or forgetting where you come from can be damaging.

Walker wants us to think about what happens when you abandon your roots—it’s not always a good thing. By painting this picture, she's emphasizing that knowing where you come from matters and losing touch with your cultural identity can have its downsides.

The Butter Churn: Labor's Value Across Generations

Another cool image Walker uses is that of a butter churn. You know, one of those old-timey ones with a handle (Walker 6). It symbolizes hard work and dedication, especially among the women in the family. This churn isn’t just about making butter; it represents all the effort put into creating something valuable.

This imagery gets us thinking about how labor shapes who we are and why recognizing past generations' contributions is vital. The butter churn stands as a reminder that cultural heritage isn’t just stuff—it’s experiences too.

Conclusion

Alice Walker nails it in "Everyday Use," using imagery in clever ways to talk about heritage, identity, and valuing traditions. With symbols like quilts, burned houses, and butter churns, she gets readers reflecting on their own ties to culture and why preserving these connections is important.

Diving into these images gives us more insight into the story’s themes—showing our cultural background as more than objects but reflections of identity rooted in storytelling passed down through time.

As we navigate today's world full-speed ahead without looking back much sometimes —let’s take heed! Appreciate those roots 'cause they’ve shaped who we are now.

Bibliography

• Walker, Alice. "Everyday Use." Women Writers: Texts and Contexts, edited by Janet Gardner et al., 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015.
• Baker-White, Robert. “Cultural Contexts in ‘Everyday Use’.” Southern Literary Journal, vol. 34 no. 1, Fall 2001.
• Christian, Barbara T., et al., editors. “Reflections on African-American Culture,” Wayne State University Press, 1998.
• Petryna M., “Symbolism In Alice Walker’s Everyday Use,” University Journal Quarterly Review Vol-12 Issue-5 May-June Edition-2020 .