Question

How do Dee and Maggie view the significance of the family's heritage In "Everyday use" by Alice Walker, and how is that represented by the quilts in the story?

Answer 1

Dee views the quilt as the family’s traditional asset that needs to be protected because of her deeper understanding about African culture. She wants to preserve their African Heritage by preserving the quilt which includes items used by her grandparents. Maggie on the other hand is the favorite to receive the quilt from her mother but she also tries to make new quilt as her mother says that the quilt is for everyday use and it would be wore and torn rather than kept as an artifact. The two contrasting view suggests the confusion and struggle whether to stick to their African identity or to change themselves to suit the mainstream American culture.