Every Day Use

5 Pages 1145 Words

“Everyday Use” is a short story in which the use of imagery combined with characterization allows the readers to dive deep into the story, perhaps detecting hints in to what the characters are feeling or thinking. These methods prove successful in portraying how two characters, Maggie and Mama, psychologically confined themselves, thus resulting in submissive attitudes towards their intimidating and educated sister/daughter, Dee.
The story takes place in an old run down house where Dee's mother, Mama, and daughter, Maggie, of African American descent. A poor family, they live a simple life and are people of faith. Mama has another daughter, Dee, who was sent away to be educated at an early age. Dee being pretty, superficial, and snobbish likes to belittle her mother and sister who are neither educated nor pleasing to the eye. Maggie is homely and badly scarred from being burned in a fire, which leaves her envious of her beautiful sister. Dee comes back one day to “visit” and asks her mother for an heirloom quilt that has already been promised to her sister. Maggie, who is used to seeing Dee get her way, is stunned when her mother denies Dee the quilt.
Through Mama, the narrator, Walker uses characterization to share Mama’s observations of her daughter Maggie. From this it is easy to see what kind of person Maggie is and how she might perceive herself. Details shared throughout the story tell that Maggie’s self-image is one of negativity, which explains why she is always cowering and hiding herself in shame. Mama observes her poise while in her sister’s presence; “She will stand hopelessly in corners homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs.” One can only imagine the effect of having burn scars and what it can do to one’s self esteem. It is also stated, “she stood there with her scarred hands hidden in the folds of her skirt.” Maggie’s posture and poise is one of doubt. “She ha...