Everyday Use

     I really enjoyed Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use." I not only appreciated the story line, but I also found her writing to be extremely engaging. She used quite a bit of imagery throughout the story to make the reader feel as if they were apart of the scene. She wrote in an easily understandable manner without making the story overly simple or boring.
     I feel as though I can relate to both of the daughters, Dee and Maggie. In my house, I am usually Maggie in the aspect of my older sister usually getting what she wants. I usually take the approach Maggie takes in the novel when she says "She can have them, Mama" (Walker, 180) referring to the quilts. However, I can also relate to Dee. Usually my sister is the one to stay closer to my mother, while I am more distant. Walker seems to have made these characters easy to relate to on purpose. I think relating to a character in any story one reads is important. In this case, being able to relate to both daughters, I had somewhat of a less biased opinion on who I thought was "right."
     I spent some time thinking about the title Walker chose for the story, "Everyday Use." I know it comes from a quote from Dee reading "She'd probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use" (Walker, 180) referring to the quilts. However, I think this title goes much deeper than simply this line. I really like the title Walker chose, but I really can't think of a way to put into words what deeper meaning it could have.