The Valuable Quilt

Just as we know, the Black Power Movement has marked a turning point in black-white relations in the United States. And it grows out of the Civil Rights Movement that has gained momentum through the 1950s and 1960s. As one of the most influential American black writers, Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” contains several important parallels to the Black Power Movement and her own life. In this short story,the truest and most sincere method to pass down one’s heritage that the author intends to convey brings about not by possessing objects but by making use of them every day of life.

Overview Analysis of the Essay.

Character Analysis. Three main characters appear in the essay : MaMa, Dee and Maggie. From “She thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand,that “no”is a word the world never learned to say to her”(170).It can tell Maggie lacks of confidence and is at the mercy of fate. When she says “I can remember Grandma Dee without the quilts”(175),Maggie represents a symbol of tradition black women who adheres to African American culture. Another character MaMa , physically strong but spiritually weak, also displays the personality“In real life I am a large. . .keep up with my quick and witty tongue”(170).

“Dee wanted nice things. . . She was determined to stare down any disaster in her efforts”(171). The older daughter Dee who is an educated,confident and fashionable woman. “ “Hang them”,she said.As it that was the only thing you could do with quilts”(175). It can be seen that Dee represents a few black young people who fails to acknowledge their own African American culture. So cherishing one’s heritage is by considering it not as a topic of study but rather as a way of life.

Structure Analysis. The short story’s plot has a step-by-step approach. When they meet again, Walker uses one whole paragraph to describe Dee’s clothes in order to show that she dresses as African tradition model. And such “Wa-su-zo-Tean-o” African language proves she has already given up black American culture.Furthermore, she has used another way to express her attitude towards cultural heritage by using a new name”Wangero” instead of Dee. As a result, there is a sharp contrast between Dee and Maggie in possessing the quilts. Maggie owns connection to her heritage rely on the memories of her grandmother so that she plans to put “priceless”heirloom quilts to “everyday use”. But for this, Dee doesn’t understand.

Conclusion

It is obviously that the true cultural heritage should be personal and emotional not financial and aesthetic. The quilts are the real trigger for the battle between Dee and Maggie. The best way to deal with the quilts is making best use of them every day not just hanging up. The short story further proves the point that one’s own heritage should be acknowledged and respected, also passed down from generation to generation.

Works Cited

Zhang HanXi. Advanced English[M] . Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. China:Beijing ,1996.Print.

Zhu Lihua. Writing Skills of Alice Walker’s Everyday Use. School of Foreign Languages (Baoshan College). Yun Nan:Bao Shan, 2013.Print.