Everyday Use By Alice Walker
Mariyam Butt
Prof. Camila Alvarez
ENC 1102 MW 8:00-9:15 AM
26 September 2015
899 Words
Essay 1 Characterization: Without a Second Thought Culture, tradition, and values: Does a baby learn about heritage from a mother’s womb? The knowledge of heritage initially develops as a person becomes aware of the family importance. More or less, “heritage” does play a significant role in shaping one’s personality; nevertheless, life does not always revolve around it. The fancy desires and colorful world leads to materialism. Thus, the environmental influences add a lot more to it. Simplicity, symbolism, family values are some of the themes that also reflect different perspectives on life. In “Everyday Use”, Alice Walker presents the character of Dee as arrogant and selfish; however, closer examination shows that Dee is not expressive towards her family and is rather smart and straightforward to go with the flow of life. …show more content…
Dee, a family name passed down to her from generations, carried immense importance in the eyes of Mama. “You know as well as me you were named after your aunt Dicie” (Walker 746). Hearing the new name Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, Mama was very disappointed and thought of Wangero as a girl who did not only change her name but her priorities too. “I couldn’t bear it any longer being named after the people who oppress me” (746). Having her own reasons, Wangero was independent enough to change her name. However, she was considered selfish to live her life the way she wanted to. “You don’t have to call me by it if you don’t want to” (747). This clearly states that if mama was not happy enough to call her with the new name, Wangero would not mind at all. She could have convinced her mother to call her by the name of Wangero, but she did not do that. This shows her affection and love towards mama. However, there are times where it seems like Dee does not really care about her
Prof. Camila Alvarez
ENC 1102 MW 8:00-9:15 AM
26 September 2015
899 Words
Essay 1 Characterization: Without a Second Thought Culture, tradition, and values: Does a baby learn about heritage from a mother’s womb? The knowledge of heritage initially develops as a person becomes aware of the family importance. More or less, “heritage” does play a significant role in shaping one’s personality; nevertheless, life does not always revolve around it. The fancy desires and colorful world leads to materialism. Thus, the environmental influences add a lot more to it. Simplicity, symbolism, family values are some of the themes that also reflect different perspectives on life. In “Everyday Use”, Alice Walker presents the character of Dee as arrogant and selfish; however, closer examination shows that Dee is not expressive towards her family and is rather smart and straightforward to go with the flow of life. …show more content…
Dee, a family name passed down to her from generations, carried immense importance in the eyes of Mama. “You know as well as me you were named after your aunt Dicie” (Walker 746). Hearing the new name Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, Mama was very disappointed and thought of Wangero as a girl who did not only change her name but her priorities too. “I couldn’t bear it any longer being named after the people who oppress me” (746). Having her own reasons, Wangero was independent enough to change her name. However, she was considered selfish to live her life the way she wanted to. “You don’t have to call me by it if you don’t want to” (747). This clearly states that if mama was not happy enough to call her with the new name, Wangero would not mind at all. She could have convinced her mother to call her by the name of Wangero, but she did not do that. This shows her affection and love towards mama. However, there are times where it seems like Dee does not really care about her