What is The Theme of Everyday Use by Alice Walker

In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," the theme of cultural heritage and identity is prominently featured. The story follows the interactions between a mother, Mama, and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, as they navigate their relationships with each other and their shared history. The story delves into the complexities of how individuals perceive and value their cultural roots, and the conflicts that can arise when these perceptions clash. This essay will focus on analyzing the theme of cultural heritage and identity in "Everyday Use," exploring its implications for individual identity formation and familial relationships.

The theme of cultural heritage is central to "Everyday Use," as the characters grapple with their connections to their past and the ways in which they choose to express their cultural identities. Dee, who has changed her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo to reject what she sees as her slave name, represents a modern, educated view of heritage that values cultural artifacts as symbols of past struggles and triumphs. Dee's desire to display the family quilts as art pieces rather than using them in everyday life reflects her belief that cultural heritage should be preserved and showcased for its aesthetic and historical value.

In contrast, Maggie and Mama represent a more traditional view of cultural heritage, where the value of these artifacts lies in their practical use and connection to family history. Maggie, who is described as shy and unassuming, desires to inherit the quilts not because of their artistic value, but because of the memories and stories they hold. Mama, who is caught between her two daughters' differing perspectives, struggles to navigate her own relationship to her cultural heritage and the ways in which it has shaped her identity.

To support these arguments, it is important to incorporate evidence from credible sources that have analyzed the theme of cultural heritage in literature. Scholarly articles and essays that focus on the intersection of culture, heritage, and identity in literary works can provide valuable insights into the complexities of this theme and its implications for individual and collective identities. By drawing on these sources, we can deepen our understanding of the ways in which cultural heritage shapes our sense of self and our relationships with others.

For example, in a scholarly article by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar titled "Heritage and Deracination in Walker's 'Everyday Use'," the authors discuss how Dee's desire to take the family quilts to hang on her wall as art pieces rather than use them as intended by Mama and Maggie symbolizes a disconnect from the true meaning and value of cultural heritage. This act of commodifying the quilts as art objects represents a superficial understanding of their significance, highlighting the tensions between different perspectives on cultural heritage within the family.

Futhermore, the theme of cultural heritage in "Everyday Use" also delves into the idea of cultural appropriation and the ways in which individuals may selectively embrace aspects of their heritage for personal gain or identity construction. Dee's rejection of her given name in favor of a name that she believes connects her to her African roots can be seen as a form of cultural appropriation, as she adopts elements of a culture that she may not fully understand or embody. This aspect of the story raises important questions about authenticity and ownership of cultural heritage, as well as the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities within a single individual.

In conclusion, the theme of cultural heritage and identity in "Everyday Use" offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the complexities of family dynamics and individual identity formation. By examining the ways in which characters like Dee, Maggie, and Mama navigate their relationships to their shared history and cultural roots, we gain valuable insights into the ways in which our cultural heritage shapes who we are and how we relate to others. Through critical analysis and engagement with these sources, we can continue to explore the complexities of cultural heritage and its significance in shaping who we are and how we relate to others.