|The following is a student's analysis
of a short story with the thesis statement underlined and textual evidence
incorporated and documented with in-text citations and a work cited entry.
English 112 Section 01L
Two Sisters in "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
Often two children are brought
up in the same environment and turn out completely different. This is the
case of Maggie and Dee, the two sisters in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use."
Although the girls were raised by the same woman, in the same home, their
similarities end here. Maggie and Dee are different in their appearances,
their personalities, and their ideas about the family artifacts.
Maggie is not as attractive
as Dee. She is a thin and awkward girl. Her mother notes "good looks passed
her by" (88). Furthermore, she carries herself like someone with low self-esteem,
"chin on chest, eyes on ground" (87). On the other hand, Dee is an attractive
woman. Her mother describes Dee as having, "nice hair and a full figure"
(87). Dee takes pride in the her appearance. She dresses in fashionable
clothes. When Dee arrives for her visit, her mother says, "Even her feet
were always neat-looking" (88).
Besides their appearances,
Maggie and Dee have unique personalities. When Maggie is first introduced
in the story, she is nervous about her sisterís visit. In fact, Dee's arrival
makes Maggie so uncomfortable that she tries to flee to the safety of the
house (88). Maggie is also intimidated by Dee, as shown when Maggie is
unable to confront Dee about the quilts. Maggie gives in and says that
Dee may have the quilts because she is not used to "winning" (91). Unlike
Maggie, Dee is a bold young woman (88). As a young girl, Dee has never
been afraid to express herself. Her mother remembers that "she would always
look anyone in the eye. Hesitation was no part of her nature" (87). Dee
also shows herself to be selfish when she sets her sights on the butter
churn. Dee does not seem to care that her family is still using the churn.
She states that she will "display part of it in her alcove, and do something
artistic with the rest of it" (90).
The family artifacts are
important to both Maggie and Dee, but for different reasons. Maggie values
the family quilts for their sentiment and usefulness. She learned how to
quilt from her grandmother and aunt who made the quilts. Her mother has
been saving the quilts for Maggie to use after she is married. The quilts
are meant to be used and appreciated everyday. Maggie hints that she sees
the quilts as a reminder of her grandmother and aunt when she says, "I
can 'member them without the quilts" (91).
Dee also values the family
quilts. She sees the quilts as priceless objects to own and display. Going
off to college has brought Dee a new awareness of her heritage. She returns
wearing ethnic clothing and has changed her name to "Wangero." She explains
to her mother and Maggie that changing her name is the way to disassociate
herself from "the people who oppress [her]'? (89). Before she went away
to college, the quilts were not good enough for her. Her mother had offered
her one of the quilts, but she stated, "They were old-fashioned and out
of style" (91). Now she is determined to have the quilts to display in
her home. Dee believes that she can appreciate the value of the quilts
more than Maggie, who will "be backward enough to put them to everyday
use" (9l). Dee wants the quilts for more materialistic reasons. She considers
the quilts "priceless" (91).
Indeed Maggie and Dee are
two sisters who have turned out very differently. Maggie is awkward and
unattractive, while Dee is confident and attractive. Maggie is content
with her simple life, while Dee wants to have fine things. Maggie is nervous
and intimidated by Dee, who is bold and selfish. Maggie values the sentiment
of the family quilts, while Dee wants to display them as a symbol of her
heritage. Walker has shown that children raised in the same environment
can and do turn into unique individuals.