The Search for Identity

The issues that Alice Walker deals with are that of oppression and stereotypes. Her characters are constantly held down by the social norms of the white man's society. Sexually, spiritually, and physically they are oppressed. One of Alice Walker's most famous works of fiction, "Everyday Use" represents these important themes. It is through these characters and their unique situations that Alice Walker voices her ideas for the advancement of African Americans in America. Every one of Alice Walker's characters endures the struggle of achieving self-awareness and a sense of identity. The ultimate resolution is that the main characters have a sense of pride in what they stand for.

"Everyday Use" is a short story about a low-income family. The main characters are the mother and two daughters, Maggie and Dee. It is told from the mother's perspective over a rather lengthy period of time (most likely years). The sisters are foils. They are polar opposites of each other. Maggie is sullen and withdrawn because she has burn marks running down her arms and legs from a fire in the house the family used to live in. Dee is the perfect young woman. She is intelligent, confident, and fashionable. Maggie stays home and sulks about her misfortunes and lack of intelligence while Dee goes off to college.

This is where the conflict starts. At the very beginning, the reader is meant to feel sympathetic toward Maggie because of her disabilities. Alice Walker writes, "Have you ever seen a lame animal, perhaps a dog run over by some careless person rich enough to own a car, sidle up to someone who is ignorant enough to be kind to him? That is the way Maggie walks." By comparing Maggie to a poor, defenseless creature, Walker creates sympathy for Maggie's character. She is injured, like a dog that has been run over, and can not fend for herself as easily as Dee can.