Lecture - Walker’s “Everyday Use”

Introduction to Walker's "Everyday Use"

What happens when a sister comes home with her new boyfriend and decides to help herself to the family heirlooms she has refused in the past, claiming a cultural heritage with different interpretations than those of her mother and sister? How does a mother who harbors conflicting feelings of love and guilt for each of her daughters reconcile which child deserves to have the mementos of “everyday use”? How does the sister who has stayed home respond? How does forgiveness factor into this family "triangle" of relationships?

Focused on family dynamics and issues of heritage, this short story introduces a mother who uses humor as she welcomes her daughter back to the homestead. A question to ask yourself is this: Is Mama a reliable or unreliable narrator? Look beneath the surface of this story for the nuances that make it stand out as a classic.