Essay1
Brittney Goss
Professor Mohamed
English 104
5 October 2014
Details Within a Story
In “Everyday Use” and “A Worn Path”, details and symbols are used to help tell a story. A significant symbol in “Everyday Use” that is important to the story is the yard at the Johnson family home. An important symbol in “A Worn Path” is the journey that Phoenix Jackson goes on to see her grandson. These symbols play an important role in giving more meaning behind the story.
The yard in “Everyday Use” helps tell the story as well as help explain the relationships within the family. In the beginning of the story, the mother and youngest daughter Maggie are preparing for the arrival of the eldest sister, Dee. Maggie and her mother spend a lot of time working in the garden which is their bonding time together. They describe the yard as an “extended living room” because it is a comfortable place to be (6). Mrs. Johnson prefers to spend her time in the yard as opposed to the house because she can relax in a tree and feel the breeze that never comes inside the house. Mrs. Johnson prefers outdoor work instead of doing domestic work. Normally, living rooms are a place to be around the family and socialize with one another. Unfortunately, this family is somewhat distant; Maggie is jealous of her sister Dee due to the fact that “she thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand” and she is spoiled (6). Even though she isn’t too fond of her sister, she is still helping her mother get ready for her sister to come home. This homecoming is very important to her mother because she and Dee strained relationship. Dee distanced herself from her family and she is not like them; she gets out and has a life while her sister and mother do not leave their property. By her distancing herself from her old life, she allowed herself to become Wangero and become something that she has always wanted.
Phoenix Jackson goes on a long journey down the “worn path” to be by her sick grandson’s
Professor Mohamed
English 104
5 October 2014
Details Within a Story
In “Everyday Use” and “A Worn Path”, details and symbols are used to help tell a story. A significant symbol in “Everyday Use” that is important to the story is the yard at the Johnson family home. An important symbol in “A Worn Path” is the journey that Phoenix Jackson goes on to see her grandson. These symbols play an important role in giving more meaning behind the story.
The yard in “Everyday Use” helps tell the story as well as help explain the relationships within the family. In the beginning of the story, the mother and youngest daughter Maggie are preparing for the arrival of the eldest sister, Dee. Maggie and her mother spend a lot of time working in the garden which is their bonding time together. They describe the yard as an “extended living room” because it is a comfortable place to be (6). Mrs. Johnson prefers to spend her time in the yard as opposed to the house because she can relax in a tree and feel the breeze that never comes inside the house. Mrs. Johnson prefers outdoor work instead of doing domestic work. Normally, living rooms are a place to be around the family and socialize with one another. Unfortunately, this family is somewhat distant; Maggie is jealous of her sister Dee due to the fact that “she thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand” and she is spoiled (6). Even though she isn’t too fond of her sister, she is still helping her mother get ready for her sister to come home. This homecoming is very important to her mother because she and Dee strained relationship. Dee distanced herself from her family and she is not like them; she gets out and has a life while her sister and mother do not leave their property. By her distancing herself from her old life, she allowed herself to become Wangero and become something that she has always wanted.
Phoenix Jackson goes on a long journey down the “worn path” to be by her sick grandson’s