Themes and Symbols of Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"

Themes

Heritage Meaning

Dee built a new heritage and the real heritage she has was rejected as she was very angry with the tyranny history in her family. She chose a new name for herself, Wangero, and she failed to look over the legacy of family which was attached with her name and was of the belief that the name she has chosen is representing her African heritage properly. Although, the latest name, similar to the African jewelry and clothes she wore to make an announcement, is insignificant and meaningless. She didn't had the proper understanding of African heritage, that is the reason she is considering the new name as representative of is false and empty. Dee also consider that real heritage of hers is a past and dead, relative to the living creations. She wishes for the family quilts and craved dashers, but she consider them as the antique relics of the time that has past which are suitable for displaying, not for personal usage. She set down herself out of the African heritage by rejection of her heritage in favoring the already built one (Ikenna, 12-15).

Dee and Mama had very different views regarding heritage. Mama was of the view that the items and stuff of family is infused with people's presence that are making and using them. The heirlooms of family are a true and proper token of Dee's origin and identity, but she knows very little regarding her past and family. She was misstating the necessary facts in regard to how quilt was made and which fabric is utilized for making them, although she apparently made up herself to be connected very deeply to the tradition. To Dee, the quilts were more of a foreign and impersonal thing but she desired hanging up ...