Alice Walker’s short story Everyday Use

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Alice Walker’s Everyday Use
The story follows the lives of a single parent African-American family residing in the Deep South. The family, of a mother and daughter, has recently witnessed the daughter’s renewed zeal for Afrocentrism. The author addresses various themes, not limited to racially inspired ideas, and in doing so employs the use of various stylistic devices. One of the most prominent literary devices used by the author is symbolism, a quintessential example of which lies in the quilts. The author narrates an ordeal between mother and daughter in a way suggesting that this was indeed the titular setting and perhaps the climax of the short story.
The quilts have always been commonplace in the household, and often no one paid too much attention to them. However, in her enthusiastic bout of Afrocentrism, Dee gains a new appreciation of the place of the quilts. These, she opines, is not to be subjected to indiscriminate everyday use. At this instant, the author symbolically uses the imagery created by the quilts. Superficially, the hand-woven quilts are symbolic of family ties. The crafting and carving which often takes time to groom is taken for granted up until when a member of the family may have an epiphany. The quilts are also symbolic of a triumph over poverty by the unity of a family. It is rather apparent that the family was financially deprived. The idea that they derived joy off quilts woven from old articles of clothing is a narrative of triumph.

Through the main protagonist, Dee, one can infer what the author’s attitude towards art could be. From an initial look, the protagonist, and in effect the author, seems to warm up to the various thematic representations attributable to art. Of great appeal to the author is the symbolic value of pieces of art. From the narrative, art is also depicted as a possible dwelling place for authenticity. A reserve for the eroded status quo, which through art can be immortalised. The author shows these especially through Dee’s appreciation of the quilts. She states that ‘Maggie can’t appreciate these quilts! She’d probably put them to everyday use.’ Further, it is also apparent that the author views art as a linking portal to the antagonist’s ancestry. This is especially in light of its value as storage of heritage. Through interaction with art, the other suggests that one may indeed find their roots and themselves.