"Everyday Use"

Front

What is the main theme of 'Everyday Use'?

Back

Sometimes adopting a new heritage can result in the rejection of a person’s true heritage and family history.

Front

How is the narrator of 'Everyday Use' best described?

Back

Tough.

Front

What prompts the narrator to refuse Dee the quilts?

Back

She realizes that Maggie never gets what she deserves.

Front

Why did Dee change her name?

Back

She believed it represented injustice.

Front

What detail from the text supports the narrator's refusal to give Dee the quilts?

Back

The narrator recalls offering Dee a quilt when she went away to college, and Dee had told her they were old-fashioned, out of style.

Front

What does the quilt symbolize in 'Everyday Use'?

Back

The quilt symbolizes heritage, family history, and the value of everyday use versus aesthetic appreciation.

Front

How does Maggie's character contrast with Dee's in the story?

Back

Maggie is portrayed as shy and humble, valuing her heritage, while Dee is confident and seeks to redefine her identity.

Front

What role does family history play in 'Everyday Use'?

Back

Family history is central to the characters' identities and the conflict between Dee and her mother.

Front

What does Dee's attitude towards her heritage reveal about her character?

Back

Dee's attitude reveals a superficial understanding of heritage, as she seeks to adopt a new identity while rejecting her past.

Front

How does the setting influence the themes in 'Everyday Use'?

Back

The rural Southern setting emphasizes the characters' connection to their heritage and the simplicity of their lives.