Prologue
The analysis of literature, be it the poem, short story, or novel, requires the viewing of literature through the eye of a critique more so than a mere reader. You will find in this collection, samples of dissecting characters, themes, and symbols in literature, both American and international.
Enjoy!
Character Analysis: Everyday Use of Hereditary Things
by Alice Walker
Alice Walker uses two sisters, Maggie and Dee, to show the contrasting views towards African American heritage within the African American culture in the short story entitled Everyday Use. Maggie, the youngest sister, believes that heritage is to be cherished, used in everyday life, and passed down from one generation the next. Dee, the oldest, on the other hand, feels that heritage is something to be studied, exhibited, and broken free from.
The youngest sister, Maggie, has what could be called an ordinary view towards her heritage as an African American. First of all, she believes heritage is to be cherished. Alice Walker shows this through Maggie’s harsh reaction to her sister’s desire for the patchwork quilts (which were made by their mother and aunt from pieces of their grandmother’s dresses. As Maggie washes the dishes in the kitchen after dinner, Dee, in the next room, demands that their mother give her the quilts. As her mother explains, ‘I heard something fall in the kitchen, and a minute later the kitchen door slammed’ (880). Yet even though Maggie is upset at Dee wanting to take the quilts, she shows that she knows what is more important by saying Dee could take them anyway. ‘I can ‘member Grandma Dee without the quilts’ (881). To Maggie, the memories of her grandmother are more important than the tangible evidence of her heritage through the quilts.
Secondly, Maggie believes in using her heritage in everyday life. Walker shows this by talking through the mother about Maggie’s quilting skills. The mother replies to Dee’s remark about Maggie actually using the quilts by saying that she could ‘always make some more…Maggie knows how to quilt’ (881). Their mother also mentions that it was Grandma Dee and Big Dee who personally taught Maggie quilting. In Maggie’s mind (as expressed through their mother) it doesn’t really matter so much that the quilts might become worn with everyday use. Maggie has something more special inside of her from her Grandma Dee – the longer lasting ability to quilt more. This skill along with her memories of Grandma Dee will keep her heritage on her mind long after the quilts have faded away.
Third,
