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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page essay that analyzes Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use." In this story Walker offers an intriguing look at what it means to be genuine. Many African Americans feel that they have to look for their culture outside of their own past, that they have to go back to African traditions. While certainly African Americans are descended from Africans, in this story, Walker presents an eloquent argument on heritage that emphasizes the "American" portion of this ethnic description. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khuseday.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Many African Americans feel that they have to look for their culture outside of their own past, that they have to go back to African traditions. While certainly African Americans
are descended from Africans, in this story, Walker presents an eloquent argument on heritage that emphasizes the "American" portion of this ethnic description. The narrator of the story
is Mrs. Johnson, who is waiting with her daughter Maggie for a visit from her "glamorous" daughter, Dee. As she waits anxiously for the arrival of Dee, she muses about
the past, and, in doing so, reveals a great deal about herself, Maggie, Dee and their relationship. It is clear that Mrs. Johnson has always been at a loss in
Dees presence and somewhat mystified her "sense of style," which was evident from an early age. From Mrs. Johnsons memories, it is obvious to the reader that Dee has always
considered herself somewhat better than her humble beginnings. Mrs. Johnson has secretly always longed for acceptance in the eyes of her "stylish" daughter. But it is also clear that
Dee has been divorcing herself from her beginnings for quite some time. When she arrives, Dee is decked out in bright African clothing. Mrs. Johnson comments that it was "A
dress so loud it hurt my eyes...yellows and oranges enough to throw back the light of the sun" (Everyday...Walker). As this suggests, Dee has become the quintessential modern, socially
aware black woman. She has assumed an African name, African dress, and consciously endeavored to throw-off everything that suggests her heritage, which she equates with "white oppression." In other
words, Dee makes a great show of professing to appreciate her "roots" and her "heritage," i.e. African heritage, while at the same time, making it crystal clear that she believes
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