Symbolism In Everyday Use By Alice Walker

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In the short story, "Everyday Use", author Alice Walker uses everyday items to portrait the symbolism throughout the story. These objects have different reactions and meanings to the main characters, which contrast; with practical and simple use, to more stylish decorations. Each of the main characters has their opposing views on the value and worth of the items in their lives. Author Walker uses this conflict to make the point that the meaning and heritage of everyday items and of people, is more important than style or decorations. Alice Walker uses the quilts as the main Symbolism in the story and as mentioned, each character has a different opinion on what these quilts mean to them. Quilts can physically be used as either as type of sheet for the beds or could be used as a decoration. The quilts in this story represents their culture. These quilts have been passed down through the generations of …show more content…

While both of the characters are deserving of the quilts, each of the women have different ideas as to what to do with them. Dee wants them to hang for decoration and believes she can't appreciate the quilts in the same way she can. Dee believes that Maggie will use the quilt for about 5 years or so and they will turn into rags. However, Maggie appears to want to embrace her culture with them by learning how to make them. The fact that Dee only wants to hang them on a wall to be looked at defines the argument the author is trying to make. If Maggie takes the quilts, they will defiantly use them and they might rip or become completely useless; while if Dee takes the quilts she will use them as decorations and they will no longer be improved and they also would become useless in the sense that they are not in any true use. Alice Walker intended for Maggie to have the quilts as they would be put to use every day and would represent their

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