"Everyday Use", a short story written by Alice Walker, is told from Mama's perspective. Mama is described as "a strong-boned, rough-looking, hard-working woman ". The story begins with Mom waiting for her eldest daughter Dee to arrive home. We learn that Mom and the church have raised enough money to send Dee to school in Augusta because of the burns she received in a house fire , Maggie is extremely shy and insecure. She is also very envious of Dee, as she is everything that Maggie is not. While waiting, Mom fantasizes about reuniting with Dee on a TV show where the child "made it." ". ” compares to their parents. Mom dreams that on this show, Dee pins orchids on her dress and thanks her for helping her find success. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games shouldn't." Be Banned'? Get an original essay Representation of Heritage and Identity in Walker's "Everyday Use" When Dee finally arrives, she is joined by her boyfriend, Hakim-a-barber. Hakim-a-barber tries to say hello to Mom and Maggie, but Maggie backs away from him. Meanwhile, Dee grabs her camera from the car and starts taking photos of Mom and Maggie in front of the house. When he's done, he puts the camera away and kisses his mom on the forehead. When Mother calls Dee by name, she informs her that she changed her name to "Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo", as she no longer wanted to bear the name of the people who oppressed her. They all come in to eat. Hakim-a-barber announces that he does not eat cabbage and that pork is unclean. Dee, however, eats everything Mom has to offer. She is particularly happy that the family still uses the benches made by her father for the table. Soon after, Dee asks Mom if she can have the family's butter churn and masher. He reveals that he will use the churn as a centerpiece for his table and the Dasher to serve some other artistic purpose. Next, Dee comes across some old quilts made by her mother, aunt, and grandmother. Dee asks her mother for the quilts. Mom suggests she get any of the other quilts. However, Dee insists on quilts hand-sewn by her grandmother. Mom finally reveals that she promised those quilts to Maggie for when she got married. Dee is offended. He claims that Maggie cannot appreciate the quilts and will not be able to preserve them. Mom in turn says she hopes Maggie puts them to everyday use and can always make more since she knows how to quilt. In an attempt to restore peace, Maggie offers Dee the quilts. However, when Mom looked at Maggie, she was struck by how she felt when she was in church. This feeling motivated her to rip the quilts from Dee's arms and give them to Maggie, where she felt they belonged. He tells Dee again that she can have one of the other quilts. Dee decides to leave instead. After leaving, Dee tells Mom that she doesn't understand her heritage. She also tells Maggie that it's a new day for black people and that she should try to make something of herself. The story ends with Mother and Maggie watching Dee and Hakim-a-barber walk away, then sitting outside until sunset. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Alice Walker demonstrates how heritage is primarily shaped by experience and traditions passed down from one generation to the next. Dee doesn't care if the quilts were delivered to her. She was more interested in the idea of ​​showing it off. There will no longer be any part of the sacred and priceless artifacts that remain in his home. While=1