Everyday Use

Everyday Use
Alice Walker

I thought it was very interesting how the author presented the short story through the eyes of a character speaking in first person. This point of view is not only interesting, but also the way she presents what she understands. She is very "matter-of-fact", and the passage I found initially very interesting was the presentation of her observation of a proud family. The narrator talks of a television show in which a child is brought to the stage with her parents so they can acknowledge the "risen star" of a child she is. The narrator dreams of herself being up on the stage with Dee, celebrating and loving each other and being proud of each other's successes. I think this admission gives real insight into the values and intent of the family. They want to be able to work hard and to appreciate accomplishments made by the whole family. Even when Dee claims to not want her own name, a "name of her oppressors", and the difference between Dee and her family is shown, there is still a family love for each other throughout the story, and a desire to make each other better, "You ought to try to make something of yourself too, Maggie."