Kristin Coleman Comp II Dr. Davis Literary Analysis Characterization refers to the various literary means by which characters are presented. In Alice Walker’s Everyday Use‚ Maggie is directly presented to the reader by the narrator‚ Mama. The author describes poor Maggie as a meek‚ scarred‚ less intelligent version of the sister (Dee) who comes to claim the quilts Mama has already promised her. Initially‚ Maggie perhaps comes across as a flat character who thinks that the world has always catered
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In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use‚” Mama‚ the narrator of the story‚ is rather distant with her daughter Dee and dreams about reconciling with her on a television show. Specifically‚ she imagines Dee expressing gratitude for all that she has done for her‚ while embracing her (Mama) “with tears in her eyes (Walker 315).” It is obvious that Mama doesn’t understand her daughter’s life choice to adopt an African lifestyle and feels that Dee is rejecting her origins and family. Furthermore‚ the reader can
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"Everyday Use" The story "Everyday Use"‚ written by Alice Walker‚ is a story of heritage‚ pride‚ and learning what kind of person you really are. In the exposition‚ the story opens with background information about Dee and Maggie’s life‚ which is being told by Mama. The reader learns that Dee was the type of child that got everything and had everything that she wanted‚ while Maggie was the complete opposite. The crisis‚ which occurs later in the story‚ happens when Dee all of a sudden comes home
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In “Everyday Use” the narrator‚ Mama‚ is displayed as a strong black woman. Mama strives hard to provide for her daughters’ needs. She is patient with both of her daughters’ different personality needs‚ along with the emotion ride. Mama does without in order to provide a stable home for her children. Throughout the short story “Everyday Use”‚ Mama has been a single parent only with a second grade education. She works her fingers to the bone doing women’s and men’s work to provide a sturdy home
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All humans suffer from loss‚ it can be either big or small. It doesn’t matter your height‚ weight‚ gender‚ ethnicity‚ age‚ or religion. Everyone will suffer from loss at some point in their life. In “One Art” Elizabeth Bishop gives examples of how a person can suffer from loss. “I lost two cities‚ lovely ones.” (Bishop Line #13) This an example of loss because loss doesn’t always have to be humans. She lost two great cities that she became ever so close to. “The art of losing isn’t hard to master
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People are people‚ no matter when or where they live. In “Everyday use”‚ Mama and her daughter have a complicated relationship because they cannot communicate. Communication is one of several issues faced by the characters. In “Everyday Use “‚ Mama’s character can be analyzed through her actions‚ strengths and weaknesses‚ and priorities. Maggie’s actions say a lot about her character. First‚ Maggie’s character can be seen in how she stands. In the story it says‚ “She has been like this‚ chin on
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Everyday Use In the short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker‚ Dee Mama and Maggie go throughout their life in the early 1970’s. The problem is that Dee take over and no one stands up against her. Heritage is very important to Mama‚ for she is very hard working. In the past‚ their house burned down and therefore Maggie has scars all over her body. Throughout the story‚ the heritage of the family is shaken by Dee changing her name and taking household belongings. To start off‚ the heritage of Dee’s
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short story “Everyday Use.” Alice uses the three types of characterization to develop the character Dee. These methods are what bring the characters to life in the reader’s imagination. Treat others nice‚ a cliché phrase that people hear daily. Authors use that in writing in a way. Showing how a character responds‚ treats‚ or reacts to others develops the character‚ this is one of the three methods of characterization. Dee a one of main character in “Everyday Use‚” the author uses the indirect
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the family he left behind. On the surface‚ Alice Walker’s characters in Everyday Use appear quite similar. A mother has two daughters with very different personalities and values. One daughter "leaves"‚ sees the world outside and returns to the place and people she left. Here is where the stories diverge‚ however. In the Parable‚ the returning son repents for his past actions and mistreatment of others. In Everyday Use‚ Dee returns to Mama
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In “Everyday Use”‚ Walker began to discuss principles of tradition and ancestry. When Dee was a child she hated her surroundings and culture. Mama indirectly says that Dee burned down the family’s old home. Dee also used to say that she hated her grandmothers’ handmade quilts. The irony in the story is that Dee arrives back home to take pictures of her family’s house and to retrieve back the old quilts that she supposedly hated. Walker is trying to tell the reader that one should embrace the past
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