In the story “Everyday Use,” Alice Walker explores the theme of distorted heritage influenced by society, as well as the true heritage found within family. The narration suggests that Dee, the eldest daughter, lacks an understanding of her genuine heritage. Dee’s perception of her heritage becomes clouded due to her time spent away at school and her new acquaintance, Hakim-a-barber.
The detailed description of daily activities around the house shows the true heritage of the Johnson family. The graphic nature of the events described makes it easy to imagine Ms. Johnson in her day-to-day routines. For example, she recounts a winter incident where she swiftly and accurately struck a bull calf in the brain with a sledgehammer and had the meat prepared before nighttime (131). These descriptions may require the reader to pause and confirm that Ms. Johnson is referring to herself and not a male farm hand. Describing herself as a large, big-boned woman with rough hands further establishes her authenticity as a rural Georgian woman in the late 60s (131). Clearly, Ms. Johnson is a product of her time, and her youngest daughter Maggie is likely to inherit her values and way of life.
Although Maggie is similar to her mother, Dee wants to present herself as having a difficult life background.
Ms. Johnson has a perception that Dee will be unique. She describes some of Dee’s characteristics with a slight sense of jealousy. One of these traits is that Dee always confidently looks people in the eye and does not hesitate (132). Ms. Johnson appears both proud and worried about Dee’s differences. From the moment Dee gets out of the car and starts taking pictures of the house and animals, to the end of the story when she asks to take things from the house, Dee is attempting to display the heritage she believes she possesses. At the beginning, Dee begins distancing herself from her family and the environment she wants to escape from, only to later return in an attempt to falsely claim her memories and traditions. Dee’s true heritage can only be found in her mother’s recollections and the traditions and culture that she passes down to both Dee and Maggie.
The conflict between Ms. Johnson and Dee arises from Ms. Johnson’s frustrations regarding Dee’s lack of respect and knowledge about her family’s history. This conflict revolves around the quilts that were made by relatives and Ms. Johnson herself. Dee only wants to use the quilts as a symbol of her presumed heritage, while Ms. Johnson intended to give them to her other daughter, Maggie, for her future marriage to John Thomas. This disagreement forms the basis for the story’s theme and title. Besides being disappointed about not getting what she wants, Dee is also upset because she is no longer the center of attention – for the first time, she is second to Maggie. The differing opinions of Dee and Ms. Johnson on how the quilts should be used symbolize the contrasting understandings of their heritage.
Dee confronts a common struggle regarding her beliefs and the beliefs of others, an experience that everyone inevitably encounters. Genuine heritage is not derived from material possessions or societal standing, but rather originates from the values, ethics, and lifestyle ingrained within us.
Relatives and role models play a crucial role in shaping the life of a child, as demonstrated by this story. It shows how a simple concept can deeply affect someone’s existence. It is important not to underestimate or misunderstand the importance of heritage, as it shapes an individual’s identity.
