Symbolism in Alice Walkers Everyday Use Essay -- Alice Walker Everyda

Symbolism in Alice Walkers Everyday applyHistory in the MakingHeritage is something that comes to or belongs to one by reason of birth. This may be the way it is defined in the dictionary, nevertheless everyone has their own beliefs and ideas of what shapes their heritage. In the story Everyday Use by Alice Walker, these various views are very evident by the way Dee (Wangero) and Mrs. Johnson (Mama) see the universe and the discrepancy of who ordain inherit the familys puff of airs. Symbolism such as certain objects, their front yard, and the different characters, are all used to epitomise the important theme that heritage is something to always be proud of.The main objects of topic throughout the story are the quilts that symbolize the African American Womans history. Susan Farrell, a critic of many short stories, describes the nonchalant lives of African American Women by saying weaving and sewing has ofttimes been mandatory labor, women view historically endowed their work with special meanings and import and have now embraced this as a part of their culture. The two quilts that Dee treasured had been pieced together by Grandma Dee and then Big Dee and me Mother had hung them on the quilt frames on the front porch and quilted them (par. 55) showing that these quilts were more valuable as memories than they were just blankets. The fabrics in the quilts were scraps of dresses Grandma Dee had worn fifty and more years ago. Bits and pieces of Grandpa Jarrells paisley shirts. And one teeny faded obscure piece, about the piece of a penny matchbox, that was from Great Grandpa Ezras uniform that he wore in the Civil War (par. 55) putting by more evidence that these are not just scraps, but have become pieces of family history. The q... ...big yard, and the characters are all symbols that have gotten the theme across that you mustiness always cherish your heritage. Dee volition go back to the city and donjon her more broad perspective of all blacks as Mama will stick to her tighter confines of family history. The one young lady (Maggie) that has yet to be engulfed by others opinions will be the one to press on two histories as oneWhen Maggie finally smiles a real smile at the end of the story as she and her mother watch Dees political machine disappear in a cloud of dust, it is because she knows her mother holy acknowledgment of the scarred daughters sacred status as quilter is the beaver gift if a hard-pressed womankind to the fragmented goddess of the present. (Piedmont-Marton)This story full of symbols will carry on generation to generation because as things change so will the people and their outlooks on life.