Discussion Post
Along with Toni Morrison, Alice Walker is considered one of America's most important African American women writers. Walker is also quite prolific, authoring several short story and essay collections, important literary studies on Flannery O'Connor and Zora Neale Hurston, as well as many novels, of which The Color Purple (1982) is the most famous.
"Everyday Use" is considered Walker's most compelling short story. Many literary studies have analyzed various aspects of the story: Walker's concern for maintaining the heritage of African Americans, Walker's insertion of autobiographical details into the characters of Maggie and Wangero/Dee, and so on. Our discussion will highlight the postmodern concerns that Walker raises in the story: how the history of African American (or any other ethnicity) can be transformed by capitalism into commodity images that people can put on or take off like clothing or a fashion accessory.
• Dee believes that she now has a much better appreciation of her heritage because she has gained a level of sophistication from her college education and financial freedom. But how does she reveal, throughout the story, that her appreciation is, in fact, shallow? Find 2 passages to support your answer.
• Maggie certainly doesn't have the great historical and social awareness of her college-educated sister. Maggie certainly cannot preserve the heirloom quilts, nor appreciate them, in the manner of her sister. Nor has Maggie enjoyed the favor of Mother Johnson. So, why does Mother Johnson bless Maggie with those quilts? Find 2 passages to support your answer.
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.