Accepting Ones Heritage in Everyday Use

Accepting Ones inheritance in day-by-day Use coal Eslinger February 24, 2010 English219-M Essay 1 Individuals identities atomic number 18 organize and moulded by how he or she chooses to sw entirelyow up and preserve their culture. One might deliberate that it is important to realise the chance to cash in ones chips down the stories of their past and the import of their family treasures. other opinion one might gull in saving ones hereditary pattern may be entirely possessing family heirlooms. This paper foc intents on the importance of experiencing communitys hereditary pattern and macrocosm knightly of it despite hardships and stereotypes.In the unequal story Everyday Use by Alice carriage it is clear that the antagonist is interested in preserving her heritage for the wrong reasons. Common sense seems to tell that mom is to a greater extent than(prenominal) sympathetic towards Maggie because they experience more than in common and allot the respect fo r their heritage. just roughly critics believe that florists chrysanthemum possibly favours Maggie when it comes to the admiration and respect of their heritage. thus far though Dee claims shes become more knowledge suitable rough her b neglect culture, milliampere doesnt believe that her heart is in it.Its well-nigh as if she has wander her identity to satisfy this mis get downn movie thats imbedded in her head of what being true to her African-American culture is all ab let on. When florists chrysanthemum realizes the only reason Dee came theatre was to claim their familys old quilts so she could hang them on the beleaguer, momma becomes frisky and disappointed towards her for not valuing the sen cadencentality back end her familys heirlooms. Having the quilts hang on the wall of her house for anyone to see is essentially a reminder of her superior social and frugal status. florists chrysanthemum believes Dee is ignorant and naive towards her own inheritance. By conforming to the white Americans view of the African-American traditions shes cheating herself out of both cultures. Shes both and n each at the same time. Although Walker does not straightway state, Dees character seems ashamed of how florists chrysanthemum and Maggie live their lives. The short story supports the point that Mama puts her foot down when Dee tries to take the quilts compensate though they were promised to Maggie.When Maggie tries to willingly countenance Dee to take the quilts Mama steps in and insists Dee take some of the other ones. Some might believe Mama is unsporting when it comes to her daughters, when really shes kick the bucketling the moorage as her mother and grandmother would see good dealled it, supporting her estimate process of preserving heritage. Maggie, the younger of the twain daughters, is covered in scars from when their old house went up in flames. The scars symbolize the almost uncomfortable state in which Maggie lives. Although she is fill with what she has, she will probably never see more.Her quiet, withdrawn character helps readers see the discriminate between the two sisters. Similarly their thoroughgoing(a) opposite views of their heritage. Dee has a superficial idea of her heritage and prefers appearance over subject how things appear on the outside, rather than the in sagacity meaning. Maggie on the other hand has respect for and is very aware of where she came from. tell a part from the text supports the idea that Maggie knew a long deal more than Dee approximately the significance of many family heirlooms.Like Mama, Maggie is able to take self-respect in the practical aspects of her nature and their lack of education does not prevent them from appreciating their heritage and those who came before them. Maggie cheers 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 especia lly of her naan Dee. Because Mama and Maggie share not only heathen legal opinions but also physical attributes Walker makes it clear that Mama is able to amend relate with Maggie over Dee.Along with accusing Mama of not understanding her own heritage, Dee furiously states that Maggie cant appreciate these quilts Shed probably be backward liberal to put them to everyday use. (Walker 253) Unfortunately for Dee, Mama sides with Maggie in hope that she would use them. in the first place 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 statement about how they were all stitched by hand by her Grandma Dee, when in point Mama and Big Dee also helped force the works of art. To Mama the quilts have a deeper meaning. When she moves up to touch the quilts, she is reaching out t o 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 every family heirloom comes from the memories in which that item has made, so even when the object is no more, the memories are salve able to live on done ones bequest. In this short story, Walker indirectly focuses on the concomitant that Maggie is following in Mamas footsteps and that it is very probably that she will place 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 present ones passion and sentiment. In this case, Dee seems content with how she has refractory to accept and portray her own heritage whereas most people, including Mama and Maggie, are on the opposite side 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 actually have the personal satisfaction of being part of ones heritage, they first postulate 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 Compact suck up and Anthology. Ed. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston Bedford/St. Martins. 2005. 247-253.