Everyday Use (1973) Alice Walker ( )

Alice Walker

Alice Walker & Ms.

Discussion Questions What influence does the Black Power movement produce on the characters in the story? In her essay “In Search of Mother’s Garden,” Alice Walker divides black women into three types. Which type does each of the female character in the story fit into? What is the theme of the story?

BLACK POWER MOVEMENT (1960S-1975)

Aim – black autonomy Political and economic self-sufficiency Freedom from oppression Racial dignity Black community values Malcolm X (Nation of Islam) was the black leader most influential to the development of the movement (assassinated in 1965)

Significant influence Political unity Economic self-help in black communities Encouragement of racial pride and self esteem Exploration of ethnic identity and black consciousness Emphasis on distinctive black culture, art and literature - “Black is beautiful.” - celebration of natural blackness in skin, natural hair styles and traditional African clothing style (vibrant colors, robes, sandals)

Black Nationalism vs. Integrationism Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement - integration, assimilation and cooperation - non-violent resistance Malcolm X and the Black Power movement - nationalism, separatism - violent defense and retaliation

Black Power influence in “Everyday Use” Dee now appreciates much about her mother’s house and family utensils Dee and her companion choose African names, wear African hairstyles and clothes Dee’s companion adopts Muslim’s diet and way of greeting people Black stock farmers (beef cattle people) defend their home with rifles against white racist neighbours - black Muslims (Nation of Islam)

African vibrant dress

THREE FEMALE CHARACTERS

Mama and Maggie The physically or psychologically abused black women

Dee The woman who represses her past and heritage in order to fulfill her potential Or The “new” black woman who can base her self-realization on the legacy of her maternal ancestors

Mama (1) A hardworking and capable woman and good mother YET Psychologically oppressed by the white: “Who can imagine me looking a strange white man in the eye? It seems to me I have talked to them always with one foot raised in flight, with my head turned in whichever way is farthest from them” (p. 1968).

Mama (2) Socially and culturally denied by the dominant white culture Alienated from her daughter Dee by the society

Maggie Skilful at quiltmaking But Feeling homely / ugly and ashamed (with her ugly burn scars) (p.1967) Becoming nervous and ill at ease when confronted with the stare of the white Like a lame animal (dog) (p. 1968) A victim of racial prejudice and oppression

Young Dee Clever, witty, quick to learn, stylish, self- determined, brave, ambitious, vainglorious Hated almost everything (backward) of her poor family Tried to assimilate into the mainstream white society She successfully assimilates into the society by rejecting her family / cultural / ethnic tradition as backward and valueless

Adult Dee Named after Africans Dressed like Africans Loves almost everything about the old shabby house, family hand-made benches, churn top, dasher and the hand-stitched quilts Plans to use these things as artistic decorations for her house

Three female characters’ attitude toward the family / black heritage

Mother and Maggie Cherish the family tradition: keep memories of ancestors, respect family history, inherit grandma and mama’s quilting skill and love for each other, make tradition a part of everyday life

Dee Appreciating some family handmade things as artistic works for decoration Indifferent to her family / cultural / ethnic tradition Dee’s success and self-realization is fulfilled through negation of her family heritage. Now she changes her attitude toward her family tradition, but there is no real recognition of the essential spirit of her family and cultural heritage.

THEME

Recognition of one’s family tradition and cultural heritage lies not in the appreciation of their artistic value but in the real respect and love of the spirit contained in them. Maggie’s putting the quilts to everyday use is just the case in point.

The establishment of cultural (in this case African American) identity and achievement of self-realization should be based on legacy of one’s family / national/ ethnic / cultural ancestors.

Term paper requirements Choose one or more works discussed in this class to write a paper of no less than 1,500 words. The paper is due on June 30. Avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism of any form will result in failure of the paper. A second instance will result in failure of the course.