Alice Walker develops the plot of her short story by
contrasting three conflicts as they are portrayed in the lives of the two sisters Maggie
and Dee.The three conflicts which structure Alice Walker's moving short story "Everyday
Use" are:
1. Fantasy and
reality: The story begins with the mother dreaming and
fantasizing about how she would like her relationship with Dee to be:"You've no doubt
seen those TV shows where the child who has "made it" is confronted..........But that is
a mistake. I know even before I wake up." The mother desires to have a sentimental
relationship with Dee whom she expects to be overwhelmingly and eternally grateful
towards her for all the sacrifices she had made to give her a prosperous life style.
Hence the difference between the mother's dream and expectations and the reality of the
situation where Dee has scant regard or respect for her mother's
expectations.
2. Conservative and
progressive attitude: Dee has changed her name into the
African Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, because her old name "Dee" reminded her of her white
colonial masters. Outwardly her reason for changing her name might be politically
correct but its certainly not culturally correct. Her entire past is negated because of
this name change. Dee's mother traces the family history of that name saying, "though,
in fact, I probably could have carried it back beyond the Civil War through the
branches." Thus the conservative attitude of the mother clashes with the progressive
attitude of
Dee.
3. Education:
Dee was the intelligent girl who graduated from high school in Augusta unlike Maggie who
"knows that she is not bright" and only semi literate; the mother of course confesses,
"I never had an education myself." Thus education and a lack of education is also a
source of conflict in the mother-daughter relationship and sister-sister
relationship:
readability="9">
"Maggie will be nervous until after her sister
goes: she will stand hopelessly in corners, homely and ashamed of the burn scars down
her arms and legs, eying her sister with a mixture of envy and
awe."
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