Everyday Use :: essays research papers

                    Different points of view on enculturation and heritageEveryday do is a literary explanation of what culture is. In Everyday subroutine, the author Alice pusher confronts the question of what ar the true values in ones heritage and culture. In the conflict between Dee and her mother, Alice pedestrian shows that ones culture and heritage are represented by neither the possession of objects or external appearances, but by the modus vivendi and attitude. In "Everyday Use, Alice Walker personifies the different sides of culture and heritage in the characters of Dee (Wangero) and her mother (the narrator). Dee can be seen to represent a multiplex and modern way of life where culture and heritage are to be precious. Her mother represents a practical way of life where they are valued both for it is usefulness as well as personal significance. When Dee freshman comes to visit the family, she is wearing a long dress, even though the wear is very hot. We get the impression that Dee is more occupied with aesthetic appearances earlier than practicality. The dress is colored with enough yellow and orange "to throw cover charge the light of the sun"(1174). Dee is also wearing numerous pieces of jewelry, earrings and bracelets. Even more than Alice Walkers description of Dee is the significance of Dees " arouse variety" to Wangero that seems to symbolize Dees attitude about ones culture and heritage. It seems to reflect a sort of glittery artificial pretense mold on in order to assume sophistication. Dee dis construes the importance of her name, the fact that she was named after(prenominal) her aunt Dicie.And when asked about why she changed her name, Dee can only discharge an serve up, "I couldnt bear it any longer, being named after the people who squash me."(1175) Another important detail is the words directly preceding her answe r about what happened to her name V "Shes dead..." (1175) is Dees answer. By these words, Alice Walker shows that Dee has distanced herself even further from her family, heritage, and culture V despite her "new" name and the way of talking. Dee is portrayed as aggressive, to the point of total lack of regard for her family. When she first greets her family, she starts snapping pictures of the house and her mother before even greeting them with a kiss or a hug, or even a handshake. Later, when they are in the house, Dee begins just taking various items for herself, assuming they belong to