Jane Doe
Professor Martin
English 1302-WW1
15 September 2005

Issues Question — “Everyday Use”

Passage:  “Maggie can’t appreciate these quilts!” she said. “She’d probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use” (Walker 388).

Question:  How is Dee’s superficial attitude toward the quilts similar to the way she views her newly discovered African heritage?

Issue:  Issue of Theme. Since the theme of “Everyday Use” is heritage this question ties in perfectly with the way Dee seems embarrassed of her family but passionate about the sentimental possessions. In a matter of minutes Dee denounces her family birth name and then claims to want items representative of her Grandma Dee. Unfortunately, she completely misses the true value of the quilts. Dee cannot see beyond herself to realize the significance of the memorabilia. Mama tries explaining that the items should not be put on display but put to everyday use, but Dee thinks Maggie is the one who is being ridiculous by wanting to place the quilts on the bed. Maggie on the other hand knows who whittled the churn and quilted the quilts and seems to have a deeper sense of understanding of the true meaning even though she is mentally slow.

Critical Approach:  The Marxist Criticism best fits this question because Marxists see people rated by social class, which should not be exclusively based on appearance and possessions. Because a person dresses nice and has a lot of stuff does not make them wealthy. Inherent wealth is not even taken into consideration. Dee is consumed with personal appearances and is embarrassed by her Mama’s weight, the dilapidated house, and Maggie’s “hangdog” look. On the contrary, Mama and Maggie are self confident and are not at all concerned with what others think of them. Dee thinks taking an African name will bring her closer to her true heritage but in the process moves her further away from her family. 

Answer: Dee’s attitude toward the quilts is just as phony as her interest in her African heritage. She does not realize that she could embrace both her African and African-American heritage without turning away from either one. It is insulting to Mama that Dee now wants to be known as Wangero, especially since Dee is a name that goes back at least three generations. But, even though Dee claims she wants nothing to do with the people who “oppress her” she has no problem with taking possessions from those same people. Dee’s concern for outward appearances extends from the way she dresses to the way she decorates her home. Dee has no understanding of the true meaning and value of the quilts while her sister Maggie knows how to quilt and also knows that the quilts are meant as a remembrance of Grandma Dee. If Dee is willing to get rid of her grandmother’s name she may want to do the same with the quilts after they serve an immediate and self-fulfilling purpose.