1.12 Perspectives on Heritage: Fiction “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker

Analyze a work of fiction to determine and explain the theme of the work Compare and contrast how two different authors explore similar subjects and themes Objectives

Family/ Identity What are some of the different personalities present in your house? How are some family members different from others? How are they alike? Have you ever disapproved of how your parents live? Do you know grown children who disapprove of their parents? How do parents handle that situation? RESPOND IN Quickwrites

Alice Walker: “Everyday Use” Born in 1944 From Eatonton, Georgia Parents were sharecroppers 8 years old when the Supreme Court ruled “Separate but Equal” was unconstitutional In college during Civil Rights Movement “Everyday Use” Setting: Rural South Video

Alice Walker: “Everyday Use” (58) Step One: MARK THE TEXT!! Individually Group 1: Austin, Ryan, Nicole Group 2: Ashley, Kelsee, Sydnie Group 3: Emily, Julia, Emma Group 4: Lauren, Jack, Lauren Group 5: Dane, Zack, Sabrina, Lexi Group 6: Kyle, Olivia, Jay, Mary Grace Group 7: Rachel, Shirlyn, Katy Group 8: Bianca, Alex, Kayla Period 2

Alice Walker: “Everyday Use” Audio Step One: MARK THE TEXT!! Individually SIFT: 1) Aydan, Drew, Michael 2) Jon, Leah, Kasia, Amanda 3) Jacob, Frank, Lauren C., Courtney 4) Alyssa, Nick, Ashley, Haylie 5) Tyler, Lauren F., Austin J., Luke 6) Duncan, Camila, Austin M., Kaden 7) Kegan, Athena, Robert, Aubrey 8) Amber, Miranda, Lauren W., Period 6

Compare/ Contrast: With a partner “My Mother Pieced Quilts” and “Everyday Use” Questions to consider on your Venn Diagram: What are the characters’ feelings about their cultural heritage? What do those attitudes reveal about the characters? About what one’s cultural heritage actually means? Explain the role of education in the lives of the characters. How might each character be considered a symbol? What is the significance of the title? How does it relate to theme?

Claims & Counterclaims Example claim: In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, most of the characters in the novel are afflicted with Maycomb’s usual disease, racism, showing that culture strongly influences a person’s views on what is right and wrong with the world. Example counterclaim: While racism may be widespread, Scout’s character shows that a person’s family more strongly influences a person’s views of others than the broader culture does.

Your turn! (Bellringer) Claim: In “Everyday Use,” the character Dee does not truly appreciate her heritage but creates a connection to an imagined ancestry. OR Claim: In “Everyday Use” the mother is intimidated by her daughter Dee. Counterclaim: _______________________________________