Question

Select three key symbols in "Everyday Use." by Walker. How do they differ in the way that Dee and her mother understand them?

Answer 1

• The benches, butter churn top, and two quilts are three key symbols in "Everyday Use".
• Dee sees the benches with “delight, Everything delighted her. Even the fact that we still used the benches her daddy made for the table when we couldn't afford to buy chairs. “Oh, Mama!” she cried. Then turned to Hakim-a-barber. “I never knew how lovely these benches are. You can feel the rump prints,” she said, running her hands underneath her and along the bench. Then she gave a sigh." (Walker, 1973)
• Dee's mother saw the benches as an everyday item that was used for sitting. The butter churn top was whittled by a family member and used for years, which had helped the wood to age beautifully.
• Dee saw the top as artistic, whereas her mother saw it as a tool used to make butter in the kitchen. “I can use the churn top as a centerpiece for the alcove table,” she said, sliding a plate over the churn, and I’ll think of something artistic to do with the dasher." (Walker, 1973).
• The two quilts were made by Grandma Dee, and Big Dee. Dee’s mother hung and stitched them. Dee considered the quilts to be priceless heirlooms and wanted to preserve them, since the quilts were from their heritage.
• Dee’s mother also considered the quilts too be a symbol of their heritage, but wanted the quilts to be used for what they were meant to be used for. “She’d probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use. I reckon she would,” I said. “God knows I been saving ’em for long enough with nobody using ’em. I hope she will!