Identity Unit 1 (Everyday Use)

"Everyday Use"
Alice Walker

Through first person narration from the mother's point of view, Walker characterized the two daughters in the short story. Dee, the older daughter, is the type of person who always gets what she wants. "...that 'no' is a word the world never learned to say to her" (Walker).  This statement shows that people agreed to Dee's demands. Never learning the meaning of no led Dee to become a selfish person. She looked down upon her mother's house because it did not satisfy her wants. Dee's selfish behavior was also displayed when she argued with her mom about the quilts. Dee rejected the quilts in the past and eventually learned during the argument that the quilts were meant for Maggie; however, Dee continued to argue her point that she wanted the quilts. Another way that Dee displayed her disgust for her family was when she explained her name change. Dee chose to change her name to Wangero to escape from being named after those who "oppress me" (Walker). This African name was meant to take her back to her heritage, but what she did not realize is that she was just as much of an American as she was African. Changing her name only served as another way display her disapproval of her family and to reinforce her self-centered character traits.