Everyday Use

Everyday Use In the short story Everyday Use, by Alice Walker, the short story is narrated by a black woman in the South who is faced with the decision to give away two quilts to one of her two daughters. Dee, her oldest daughter who is visiting from college, perceives the quilts as popular fashion and believes they should undoubtedly be given to her. Maggie, her youngest daughter, who still lives at home and understands …

…a winner means that you have to assert yourself sometimes and that is the lesson that Maggie learns from watching her mother’s conduct on the day that Dee has come to visit. A real smile comes upon Maggie’s face as she is saying goodbye to Dee that day. Dee is humbled by covering her eyes in shame. "She put on some sunglasses that hid everything above the tip of her nose and chin."