Alice Walker Heritage

Heritage has many definitions such as: property that is inherited, a special possession, or traditions, beliefs that are part of a family’s history. In addition, to its diverse definitions people as well have different concepts of what heritage means to them. In the short story, “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker the diverse concepts of heritage has induced a disagreement. The reoccurring drama over the different perspectives of heritage ends this with an unsettling ending. Dee has not seen her family since her departure for an education. Her awaited visit sprung differences between the family since she wanted the carved dasher and family quilts to display them in her apartment while these heirlooms meant much more to Momma and Maggie. Walker utilizes the direct characterization for Dee and Maggie and
The indirect characterization allows the readers to understand Momma’s character through her actions and motives. Momma embraces the utilitarian value by remembering the memories that the objects influence every time she uses them. Indirectly the reader discovers that Momma is humble and appreciative with what she has since she always finds a bright side to it. Momma’s appreciation has allowed her to understand and value her heritage by keeping the tradition alive every time she uses the dasher to make butter and the family quilts. After Dee wraps the dasher Momma takes it for a moment and analyzes it enough to “see where the hands pushing the dasher up and down to make butter had left a kind of sink in the wood. In fact there were a lot of small sinks …” (114). In that moment the dasher inspired Momma to deeply think that it inspired memories of her past family member who also used the dasher. Momma feels deeply connected to the family’s gifts because she values the tradition through the “everyday use” of the