Everyday Use by Alice Walker

The short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a fantastic read. The main narrator is Mrs. Johnson, who has two daughters named Maggie and Dee. Maggie is more like her mother than her sister Dee. Dee on the other hand is clever, bright and full of confidence. Mrs. Johnson has put away money with help from the church so that Dee can receive a proper education. During the story, they talk about how the previous house they lived in burnt down and Dee is ashamed of the new one. Dee will not even bring her friends over to look at it. One day Dee comes home with a new man and tells her mother that she changed her name to “Wangero Lee-wanika Kemanjo”. She did this so she does not use the name that the white people gave to them. During this encounter, an argument breaks out because Dee wants to have the special quills her grandmother left for the family. Mrs. Johnson, annoyed by her daughters behavior, snatches the quills back and is told by her own daughter that she does not understand Black heritage or culture. Mrs. Johnson does everything for the family and wants to stick together while on the other hand Dee is more adventures and independent. What I get from this story is that Maggie and Mrs. Johnson are hard working females that love their family dynamics. Dee is more rebellious and selfish which can be seen when she try’s to take the quills from her sister. In the end I loved reading this story because it reminds me of my family who also is far from perfect.