Why does Mama give Maggie the quilts?

Mama, the narrator, ultimately gives the family quilts to Maggie instead of Dee (Wangero) because she recognizes that Dee gets everything she wants, that she’s even already claimed the quilts as her own, because they were promised to Maggie, and because Maggie is the daughter who wants them for the right reasons.

Why did Dee read to Mama and Maggie at home?

However, her reading to them was also a way of showing off her knowledge and superior intellect, and Mama notes Dee would “shove us away at just the moment, like dimwits, we seemed about to understand.” At the end of the story, Dee kisses Maggie and encourages her to “make something” of herself.

Why does Maggie smile at the end of everyday use?

Maggie smiles a genuine smile not because Mama gave her the quilts; she had already offered to give them up to Dee. The real reason she smiles is because Mama has stood up for her against her overbearing sister. This gives her a feeling of pride, self-worth, and camaraderie with her mother.

What is the main point of Everyday Use by Alice Walker?

But Walker’s main purpose in the story seems to be to challenge the Black Power movement, and black people in general, to acknowledge and respect their American heritage. The history of Africans in America is filled with stories of pain, injustice, and humiliation.

Why did Dee hate the house that burned down?

She hated that house that much.” Perhaps with the destruction of the house, Dee thought that her past, her roots, were also being destroyed. Dee rejected the rustic lifestyle of her home, and instead yearned for finer things.

Why does Dee leave the house so abruptly?

Dee left home so that she could venture out and find her true “identity.” She felt so helpless growing up in such an impoverished home. She was popular, outgoing and also pushy. She disliked her home and was ashamed of her family. She was hoping that going off to college that she could assume a new identity.

Why does Dee want the quilts?

Dee wants the old quilts for several reasons but mainly because she wants to display them as part of her “heritage” in her home in the city. She does not believe that they are appreciated in the country with Maggie and Mama because they actually use the quilts.

What is the relationship between Dee and Maggie?

The most basic relationship is that they are sisters. Dee is the older sister, Maggie the younger.

What is the difference between Maggie and Dee in everyday use?

Maggie is “homely,” shy, and has scars from her burns. Dee is lighter, “with nicer hair and a fuller figure.” Maggie looks at Dee with “envy and awe.” Maggie feels that life has always been easier for Dee than for her.

What does Maggie symbolize in everyday use?

Maggie, her sister, is a symbol of respect and passion for the past. Mama tells the story of her daughter Dee’s arrival. Told from first person narrative, Mama’s point of view offers an insight into the mother figure who appreciates her heritage while also representing a symbol of living history.

What is causing tension between Dee and Mama?

Another cause of the tension between Mama and Dee is the vast difference in their lifestyles. While Mama has always admired Dee’s sense of style, it has also been a point from which Dee, who later renames herself “Wangero,” looks down upon her mother and her sister, Maggie.

Why does Dee reject her cultural identity?

As per the question, Dee rejects her cultural identity as ‘she didn’t wish to remain connected to the past’ as she’s got educated now but her education has proved to be ‘divisive’.