Everyday Use

Character Analysis of Dee in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”

Like a quilt, a person's world view is made up of events, circumstances and

influences that shape how they see and respond to the world. In the short story,

"Everyday Use," Alice Walker expresses the different sides of culture and heritage in

the characters of Dee, Maggie and their mother. Mama and Maggie symbolize the

connection between generations and the heritage and traditions that were passed

between them. In the story, two hand stitched quilts become the center

of conflict between the two sisters, who are complete opposites. Maggie,

the youngest sister, is vulnerable and insecure because she is ashamed of the scars she

received in the fire that destroyed their first home. On the other hand, the story’s main

focus was on Dee, the eldest sister. Dee is selfish, and her feelings about

her heritage is superficial.

First of all, Dee is a selfish person and she knew her mother worked long and

hard to provide for her daughters. Dee still insisted on being selfish. She always

demanded to have nice things, such as “A yellow organdy dress…” (Walker, 445). As

Dee arrived home from college, her mother notices the first glimpse of her leg as she

gets out of the car. Dee was wearing a colorful yellow and orange dress that touches

the ground. “A dress so loud it hurts my eyes”. ( 445) She wore gold earrings that hung

down to her shoulders and dangling bracelets that made noises when she moved her

arms.

Dee’s feelings about her heritage is superficial. When Dee informs her mother

and Maggie she has changed her name she states, "I couldn't stand it anymore, being

named after the people that oppress me." (446) Dee's mother is quick to point out that

Dee is in fact named after her aunt, who was named after her grandmother. While Dee

may not be an "African" name it is based on ancestors, tradition, and the...