“Everyday Use”

by Alice Walker
Discussion Questions

1. What do you imagine the mother’s relationship with Dee was like when Dee was at
home? Were they close? How do you think the mother feels about Dee’s success? Is
she proud or does she have mixed feelings? What is the significance of the daydream
where Mother and Dee are together on the TV show?
I don’t think they necessarily hated each other, but I don’t think they were close as they
were very different people. I believe the mother acknowledges and appreciates Dee’s
success, however Dee doesnt really care so I think she has mixed feelings. The
significance of the day dream is that Dee is handed orchids even though she doesnt like
them.

2. Think about the relationship between Maggie and her mother. How do you imagine
they get along? What clues are available to you from the text?
I believe Maggie and her mother get along quite well, especially from when the mother
fights to give Maggie the quilt in the story, as she understands her daughter well.

3. What does Dee say or do that reflects a growing interest in preserving her heritage?
How is the butter churn used to contrast Dee’s relationship with her heritage with
Maggie’s? Is there anything ironic about Dee’s connection to her heritage?
Dee wanting to take the quilts since they were crafted by their relatives, the churn
shows how Maggie follows along with the family culture even though Dee does not. Dee
does not participate in the culture but wants to act like she does, which is ironic.

4. What is Hakim-a-barber’s purpose in the story? Contrast him with John Thomas, the
man Maggie is supposed to marry.
His purpose is to show how he is different from mama and more like Dee, helping the
reader to understand how contrasting Dee and mama’s personalities are. Mama likes
John Thomas because he is more like her, and wants Maggie to marry him.

5. Think about the most important object in the story, the quilts. Think about the history
of quilts, and discuss how the quilts may be symbols of something deeper.
The quilts symbolize the true thoughts and feelings of Dee and Maggie. Dee only wants
the quilts for their aesthetics and label, while Maggie genuinely wants to appreciate the
quilts and put them to good use.

6. In paragraph 76 the narrator says, speaking of Maggie, "When I looked at her like
that something hit me in the top of my head and ran down to the soles of my feet." What
“hit" Mama? What did she understand that she had not understood a moment before?
Does anyone else in the story have an epiphany?
Mama finally had a realization that she didn’t have to put up with Dee any more and she
had the ability to control the situation; she could finally give Maggie what she wanted.

7. At the end of the story, Dee tells Maggie, "It’s really a new day for us. But from the
way you and Mama live you’d never know it." What does Dee mean? Is it a new day for

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 “Everyday Use”
by Alice Walker
Discussion Questions

Maggie and Mama? Do they want it to be? Would the new day require them to make
sacrifices?
Dee wants Maggie and mama to live larger, more complex lives. Dee could not live the
simple life Maggie and mama live and stay happy all the time, so she encourages them
to change. Maggie and mama however enjoy the simple life and can find happiness
from the little things.

8. We usually admire a person who rises out of poverty to get an education and better
her circumstances, but in this story, the reader does not generally identify with Dee or
sympathize with her. Why not? Who is the narrator in the story? How does her view
color the reader’s viewpoint? Do you see Dee as totally unlikable? Do you think those
traits that appear to be her shortcomings are actually both common and necessary for
someone to progress in life? Should we admire Mama and Maggie who are not willing
to change?
The reader does not sympathize with her because she becomes full of herself, and
does not acknowledge where she came from. Dee is judgmental of Maggie and mama
even though she was there once herself. The narrator in the story is mama. It makes
you view the situation as mama viewed it. I don’t see Dee as totally unlikeable, I get
where she is coming from in some aspects, but she needs to learn to be more accepting
of others and not so close-minded. I do think those traits are somewhat necessary, but
only for a person who has an open mind. We should admire mama and Maggie for
sticking to what they know makes them happy.

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