In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday use", the everyday use of the family's quilt has Mama come to a new realization. Her older daughter Dee has forgotten about her heritage as African and possibly never really learned about her family history. In the beginning of the story the favoritism of the older child is clearly seen, but it later gives way to the younger. Dee wants things from her mother's home, including the quilt, to display in her home. While her younger sister, who knows much about their family history and skills, was finally given the favored position that she never had before. Mama chooses to give it to the younger, because her promise and that the younger would actually put it to "Everyday Use".
Favoritism spoils the favored child and blinds the caregivers to the effects. These effects are seen in the poor self image of the younger sister and the rude attitude of the older.
Can favoritism be done in a way that doesn't leave someone disadvantaged and the other possibly adopting a distorted view of life? Favor should not be determined by looks or smarts, but should be equal on all children, despite the desire to invest in what seems to hold the higher profit of investment.
Hello Mark,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I like your comments on favoritism. It seems like all "isms" come with a price. My experience is that if I compare myself with another, I will either feel less than or better than. In the story, the mother favors the younger daughter with the inheritance of the quilts (and for that matter, the heritage). I think she views Wangero/Dee's character as lacking the depth to truly appreciate her being responsible for "living" out the new heritage. Perhaps Dee is more concerned with preserving a memory and the mother sees that Maggie will keep it alive by putting the quilts to Everyday Use.