1. “Everyday Use” & Characterization
Alice Walker

2. Reading Quiz!
On a clean sheet of notebook paper, answer the following:
Part One: Identify each character and explain his/her importance in the story:
1. Maggie 3. Hakin-a-barber
2. Dee The mother
Part Two: Answer in complete sentences, explaining your thinking fully.
5. Describe the setting of the story.
6. Explain two different conflicts in the story.
7. Name two physical objects that are important in the story, and explain their importance.
8. What crucial decision does the mother make at the end of the story? Why do you think she makes her choice this way?

3. Learn about Alice Walker’s childhood

4. Alice Walker’s writing themes

5. Characterization (take notes!)
The method used by an author to develop a character.
Can be done two different ways:
Direct characterization- author directly tells you about the character.
Ex: “Esmeralda was the most serious student in school.”
Indirect characterization- author reveals character traits in one of five ways.

6. Indirect Characterization - STEAL
Speech
What does the character say? How does the character speak?
Thoughts
What is reveals through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?
Effect on other toward the character
What is reveals through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
Actions
What does the character do? How does the character behave?
Looks
What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

7. Flat vs. Round Characters
Flat Characters
Like a paper doll, only 2 dimensional
Only one or two key personality traits
Support to main character
Does not undergo any major change or growth
Round Characters
Has 3 dimensional qualities of real people
Lots of traits and complexities
Encounters conflict
Will change or grow
Seem much more realistic; you get to know these characters

8. Analyze and Discuss
What does Mama’s observation that “these old things was just done by me and Big Dee from some tops your grandma pieced before she died,” indicate her character?
What traits of Dee’s character emerge when she remarks that Maggie would “probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use”?
How does Maggie’s response, “She can have them, Mama…. I can ‘member Grandma Dee without the quilts,” help define Maggie’s character?

9. Analyze and Discuss cont.
How would you describe Dee’s dialogue? How does it reflect her character traits?
In the climactic scene, the narrator expresses herself by rejecting dialogue in favor of action. Why do you think she makes that choice?
Do you think Alice Walker’s childhood is reflected in this story? Why or why not?

10. In groups…
Discuss the two sisters in “Everyday Use”. Who do you most relate to? Why?
Next, create a STEAL chart like the one shown below. Complete the character using both sisters. (Create two charts.)
Type of Indirect Characterization
Examples
Explanation
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks