Insecurity as a Root of Tyranny

Insecurity as a Root of Tyranny

“Everyday Use,” by the acclaimed author Alice Walker, is a thematic and symbolic adaptation of the author’s life and the lifestyle of the African-American population during the 1960’s. Reviewing Alice Walker’s life and the 1960’s provides the necessary background to understand the character development of this story. Walker was born in 1944, the daughter of poor southern sharecroppers in Georgia. The history of the Walker family predates slavery; therefore, many traditions of the pre-abolition Black American existed in Alice’s childhood. Alice was disfigured by a BB gun as a young child, leaving her with an insecurity that is clearly reflected in the character Maggie Johnson. In much of the same way that Dee Johnson left her roots to succeed intellectually, Alice left home to attend college and experience life outside her limited Southern environment. The obvious parallels between Alice Walker’s life and the characters in “Everyday Use” end here; however, the powerful and influential Black Renaissance of the 1960’s clearly influences Dee Johnson’s character in much the same way that it influenced Alice Walker (Selzer 72). Although Dee Johnson’s lifestyle closely parallels Alice Walker’s early life, the character’s immense insecurity is manifested in her elitist attitude, contemptuous regard for her family, and truly shallow understanding of her heritage.

Dee Johnson, the oldest daughter in a family rich in heritage, is an ambitious and aggressive young woman heavily influenced by the intellectual and cultural Renaissance of the 1960’s. Due to the heavy influence by external sources, Dee develops an elitist outlook due inadvertently to her increased intellectual and cultural understanding. The 1960’s brought spiritual awakening and epiphanic revelation to many people looking for a greater meaning to life. Because the Blacks of the Civil War era were the direct ancestors of the children of the 60’s, many African-Americans felt a need to separate themselves at all costs from their oppressive histories (Selzer 72). Dee Johnson is no different, and she is intent on proving her superiority to the oppressed and uneducated Black American. The contribution of the African heritage movement to Dee’s elitist personality is manifested in her decision to change her name to Wangero: “ ‘She’s [Dee] dead…I couldn’t bear any ...

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...t. Many young intellects become entrapped by the lifestyle of the university, and therefore lose touch with their past and their true identity. This problem is compounded when the gap between the intellect of the parent and the child is immense. Prior to the 1960’s, many believed that following in the footsteps of their family was the best course of action. In total contrast, the generation of the 1960’s and generations since believe that the wisest course of action is to separate themselves from their past. The case of Black America particularly exhibits this fact. Revolution is not always bad; however, for any new culture to succeed, its past must be studied. If one does not know where one came from, one cannot know where one is going. The Johnson family is classic example of the revolution that occurred during the 1960’s, a revolution of mind, body, and spirit.

Works Cited

Selzer, Jack. “Alice Walker.” Conversations: Readings for Writing. Ed. Jack Selzer.

2nd ed. New York: MacMillian, 1994. 72.

Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. Eds.Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. 4th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace, 2000. 280-86.