Accepting Ones Heritage in Everyday Use

Accepting Ones Heritage in Everyday Use Ember Eslinger February 24, 2010 English219-M test 1 Individuals identities are formed and moulded by how he or she chooses to assume and preserve their farming. One might believe that it is important to engender the come across to pass flock the stories of their past and the significance of their family treasures. Another opinion unrivalled might have in saving ones inheritance may be simply possessing family heirlooms. This write up focuses on the importance of experiencing passels heritage and being proud of it despite hardships and stereotypes.In the short accounting Everyday Use by Alice Walker it is evident that the antagonist is evoke in preserving her heritage for the wrong reasons. Common sense seems to dictate that mamma is more than sympathetic towards Maggie because they have more in common and bundle the heed for their heritage. Some critics believe that Mama possibly favours Maggie when it comes to the admiration and respect of their heritage. Even though Dee claims shes become more knowledge suit suitable nigh her African-American culture, Mama doesnt believe that her heart is in it.Its almost as if she has shed her identity to satisfy this mis slayn get word thats imbedded in her head of what being consecutive to her African-American culture is all almost. When Mama realizes the only reason Dee came home was to claim their familys emeritus quilts so she could hang them on the surround, Mama becomes resentful and disappoint towards her for not valuing the sen eonntality behind her familys heirlooms. Having the quilts hang on the wall of her house for everyone to see is essentially a reminder of her superior neighborly and economic status.Mama believes Dee is ignorant and naive towards her own inheritance. By conforming to the ovalbumin Americans view of the African-American traditions shes cheating herself place of both cultures. Shes both and n any at the analogous time. Althoug h Walker does not straightaway state, Dees character seems ashamed of how Mama and Maggie live their lives. The short point supports the fact that Mama puts her foot down when Dee tries to take the quilts even though they were promised to Maggie.When Maggie tries to willingly allow Dee to take the quilts Mama steps in and insists Dee take some of the other ones. Some might believe Mama is partial when it comes to her daughters, when really shes handling the situation as her mother and grandma would have handled it, supporting her idea of preserving heritage. Maggie, the younger of the two daughters, is covered in scars from when their old house went up in flames. The scars symbolize the almost disquieting state in which Maggie lives. Although she is content with what she has, she will probably never have more.Her quiet, withdrawn character helps readers see the contrast between the two sisters. withal their complete mated views of their heritage. Dee has a superficial idea of her heritage and prefers style over substance how things appear on the outside, rather than the in judiciousness meaning. Maggie on the other hand has respect for and is very aware of where she came from. grounds from the text supports the idea that Maggie knew a great deal more than Dee about the significance of many family heirlooms.Like Mama, Maggie is able to take pride in the mulish aspects of her nature and their lack of education does not prevent them from appreciating their heritage and those who came in advance them. Maggie values the importance of experiencing her heritage rather than putting in on display. Shes an utilitarian whose everyday use of the quilts remind her of her family ties and especially of her grandmother Dee. Because Mama and Maggie share not only cultural beliefs just to a fault physical attributes Walker makes it clear that Mama is able to better unite with Maggie over Dee.Along with accusing Mama of not understanding her own heritage, Dee furi ously states that Maggie cant appreciate these quilts Shed probably be backswept enough to put them to everyday use. (Walker 253) Unfortunately for Dee, Mama sides with Maggie in trust that she would use them. Earlier in the story, Dee tries to prove her knowledge about the quilts but she only states how they were made from pieces of dresses her grandma used to wear, nothing about either Grandpas clothing scraps.She finished her argument with what she thought was a strong relation about how they were all stitched by hand by her Grandma Dee, when in fact Mama and Big Dee also helped create the kit and boodle of art. To Mama the quilts have a deeper meaning. When she moves up to touch the quilts, she is reaching out to touch the people whom the quilts represent. Mama is more willing to pass down the quilts to Maggie because she believes Maggie is able to make the same connection as she does to the quilts.Mama and Maggie are able share the belief that the true meaning behind ever y family heirloom comes from the memories in which that item has made, so even when the object is no more, the memories are soothe able to live on through ones bequest. In this short story, Walker indirectly focuses on the fact that Maggie is following in Mamas footsteps and that it is very likely that she will lead the same lifestyle as Mama has. If one is able to take the time to recognize the recollections of the past through family heirlooms, he or she will more likely be able to understand and value their heritage.In conclusion this paper goes in depth about being true to ones heritage, furthermore, being true to oneself. When it comes to the topic of heritage, most of us will willingly agree that it takes more than knowledge of ones grandparents names and a couple of old quilts to show ones passion and sentiment. In this case, Dee seems content with how she has decided to accept and face her own heritage whereas most people, including Mama and Maggie, are on the opposite sid e of the spectrum since they believe it is more important to view your heritage as your entire lives experiences.When it is said that Mama is more sympathetic towards Maggie it is merely stating With that said, to rattling have the personal satisfaction of being part of ones heritage, they first need to accept their own purities and faults. Once you are able to do so, recognizing oneself as a part of ones heritage should surge naturally.Works Cited Walker, Alice. Everyday Use. Making Arguments about Literature A cut Guide and Anthology. Ed. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston Bedford/St. Martins. 2005. 247-253.