Thursday, December 3, 2009
My thoughts on "Everyday Use"
I feel that the major theme in this story is heritage. Dee tries to validate her African heritage by changing her name and her appearance. Maggie and her Mrs. Johnson seem confused by this image she tries to portray. Dee's attempt to put out this image seems to be materialistic. She tries finding things in the house to put in her own home to display her African heritage. Maggie and Mrs. Johnson contrasting view is evident when she sees the same items, but she sees them as a way of remembering her loved ones.
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Yes, the notion of heritage as use or lived experience v cultural artifact is one of the issues the story questions... there are others; if the story seems to lean one way, remember that it is a 1st person narrative POV, but we are also allowed to see the benefits of Dee's side, as well (the good and bad, the materialism but also the need to preserve and tranfer symbols; the devaluing of "Everyday Use," but he importance of Pan-African and historical context....)
ReplyDeleteYeah i believe just by pytting your interest in such things and your desire for keeping those valueable quilts is not enough to appreciate them you need to first understand their importance. I believe Maggie spending time home at along side with her mother also gave her a better understanding of how much value those objects held.
ReplyDeleteI agree i think that dee is trying to show her heritage with materical things either that shes collecting or such as the colors and outfits shes wearing while her mother is only remembering or keeping her memories of the past and traditions. such as giving her daughter the name Dicie which was pasted on in the family.
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