What does Mama value in Everyday Use?

In Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” Mama, the narrator and central character, holds specific values that shape her choices and actions throughout the story. Through her words and actions, it becomes evident that Mama values heritage, practicality, and love for her family.

What does Mama value in “Everyday Use”?

Mama’s most prominent value in “Everyday Use” is her deep appreciation for heritage. She treasures the connection to her ancestors and believes that understanding and preserving their traditions is essential. Mama values the tangible aspects of her heritage—quilts, handmade churns, and family heirlooms—that hold not only sentimental value but also reflect her familial history and the struggle of her ancestors.

Mama’s practicality is another crucial value in the story. She is a practical, hardworking woman who has skillfully managed her household and raised her daughters mostly on her own. She values functionality and usefulness over materialistic desires. Mama’s practicality is demonstrated when she refuses to use the quilts for practical purposes, like everyday blankets or home decorations, as she understands their historical and cultural significance.

Furthermore, Mama values love for her family deeply. Although she may not express her emotions in a conventional manner, her actions speak volumes. Mama works tirelessly to provide for her daughters and protect them from the hardships she herself has faced. Her love for Dee and Maggie is evident in the way she cares for them and tries to reconcile their conflicting desires. Mama’s concern for Maggie’s self-esteem and happiness is particularly notable, as she prioritizes her youngest daughter’s well-being throughout the narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does Mama demonstrate her appreciation for heritage?

Mama demonstrates her appreciation for heritage by valuing intimate family keepsakes and ensuring they are preserved and passed down through generations.

2. Why does Mama refuse to use the quilts for everyday purposes?

Mama refuses to use the quilts for everyday purposes to protect their historical and cultural significance. Using them casually would diminish their value.

3. How does Mama embody practicality?

Mama embodies practicality through her resourcefulness, hard work, and prioritization of functionality over materialistic desires.

4. Why is Mama concerned about Maggie’s well-being?

Mama is concerned about Maggie’s well-being because she knows her youngest daughter’s shyness and insecurities have been intensified by the fire incident, in which Maggie was physically and emotionally scarred.

5. Does Mama prioritize Dee’s desires over Maggie’s?

No, Mama does not prioritize Dee’s desires over Maggie’s. While she tries to accommodate both daughters, Mama ultimately values Maggie’s happiness and emotional well-being above all else.

6. How does Mama express her love for her family?

Mama expresses her love for her family through her tireless work, providing for her daughters, and protecting them from hardships. Her actions demonstrate her deep love and devotion.

7. Why does Mama hold onto the family heirlooms?

Mama holds onto the family heirlooms because they represent her ancestral history and serve as a connection to her roots. They embody the sacrifices and struggles of her family.

8. What does Mama believe is more important: sentimentality or practicality?

Mama believes that both sentimentality and practicality are important, but she ultimately places more value on the practical uses and preservation of her heritage rather than sentimental attachment alone.

9. How does Mama’s practicality conflict with Dee’s desires?

Mama’s practicality conflicts with Dee’s desires as Dee wants to display the family quilts as artistic pieces, while Mama sees their value in their functionality and symbolic representation of their heritage.

10. Does Mama change her values throughout the story?

While Mama undergoes some internal reflections throughout the story, her core values remain consistent. She realizes the importance of preserving heritage but also understands the significance of embracing practicality.

11. What role does Mama play in the conflict between Dee and Maggie?

Mama plays a central role in the conflict by mediating between Dee, who desires the family heirlooms for display, and Maggie, who understands their true value and cultural meaning. She ultimately decides to give the quilts to Maggie.

12. How does Mama’s love for her family influence her choices?

Mama’s love for her family influences her choices by leading her to prioritize her daughters’ well-being and make decisions that honor their heritage and emotional needs.

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