Everyday Use by Alice Walker - Summary

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Dee is coming to visit. The narrator, her mother, and Dee's sister Maggie have prepared the house for her. Maggie was burned badly when their house burned down and has low self esteem, especially compared to Dee. Dee is lighter skinned, and very self-confident and not intimidated by whites. The narrator feels ashamed of herself when compared with Dee. The narrator too has low self confidence that stems from her lack of education and from comparisons with confident Dee.

Dee never had friends, just adoring followers.

Dee brings her boyfriend to see Maggie and her mother. They are both excessively compensating for white oppression by changing their names to African ones.

Nuances in Dee's behavior show that she is ashamed of her simple roots. They come off as very uppity.

Her mother senses this and when Dee demands two quilts pieced by her aunt and grandmother, her mother does not want to give them. Dee appreciates their artistic value, but not their emotional value. Her mother says she promised them to Maggie when she marries. Dee is upset and says they do not appreciate their heritage.

Maggie, used to Dee always getting what she wants, says she can have them. Finally, her mother gets mad, and snatches them from Dee. The two sit enjoying the sunset.




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