Everyday Use by Alice Walker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

E rattlingday Use by Alice Walker - Essay ExampleHowever, her hopes are dashed when Dee returns with different world views and opinions about her heritage. Walker develops the theme of the meaning of heritage through the plot when Dee constructs a new heritage for herself after being enraged by the oppression she feels exists in her family. Dees character is seen to have rejected her family legacy by giving herself a new name which she believes truthfully represents her African heritage. Dees renaming is the authors way of trying to connect the past and indicates the flexible nature of identity operator. Walker does not mention Mamas touchable name nor does he explain the foundation of Maggies name and this is meant to generate their unchanging and strong ties to their heritage and family legacy. The lack of name changing by the dickens characters shows that their identities are stable. Dees name changing reflects on her lack of belief in her true heritage as she believes that h er name represents the family oppressors, and views it as racist. Walker uses Dees character to portray the many confusing ideas that many African Americans have about their true heritage. Dee is seen not to truly understand the meaning of being African and all her actions to look African are viewed as meaningless. She differs greatly from her sister Maggie when she arrives from college and wants to possess some family quilt heirlooms. Dee does not seem to see the quilts as multipurpose and would prefer to use them as artifacts to be used as decorations to represent a time that is long lost and from the past. Mama and Dee, however, view the quilts as very important in the family and believe that the quilts represent the presence of those that made and used the quilts. They see the quilts to be true tokens of their family origin and heritage as opposed to opposed and impersonal objects. The conflict between the three women intensifies when Mama chooses Maggie to be the superstar t o own the quilts, as she believes that she will treat them with respect by using them in the way they were intended to be used. The theme of the diverse power of education is developed by the author through the depiction of how Dees achievement of higher(prenominal) education proves to be more divisive to the familys relationship. Dees character is used by the author to show how education can change virtuosos view of heritage and culture. The education that Dee has received has alienated her from her family and she views her family home to be strange. Family values have been replaced by arrogant ideals and a loss of identity and heritage that only family can provide. Walker uses Dees character to show how education can influence an individuals view of the life that they live. Dees education has caused her to have a different view on heritage and family legacy therefore causing her to disrespect anything but her own view. Walker uses the characters to depict how education, or the lac k of, is harmful. Due to her ignorance and lack of education, Maggie is seen to have hampered her achievement of self fulfillment. She is portrayed as one who has accepted the circumstances of her protected life and one who does what they are told. Walker uses the kB as a emblem to represent an area devoid of the short comings and regrets that fill Mamas life. The yard appears in the beginning of the narrative as it is being thoroughly prepared for Dees arrival form college. The yard is used as a symbol that represents freedom and the lack of