Critical analysis or explain some important point about a piece of literature - Essay Example

The story mocks at the innocence and niceness, and proves that too much simplicity becomes serious obstacle in personality development, and the progress of the simple people appears to be struck and stopped. On the contrary, the people who take timely decisions by revolting against the unnecessary domestic and social rules make their sure headway towards progress, independence and success in life; the same can be observed by going through the personalities of Dee and Maggie, the two daughters of a single mother, Mrs. Johnson. Published in 1973, the novel under the title “Everyday Use” is one of the most influential works created on the topic of the adherence and emotional attachment of the African Americans to their traditions, customs, conventions and values.

The author, Alice Walker, has skillfully elaborated the very reality that the dedication and affection for the cultural heritage and ancestral norms can be found in the attitude and behavior of even the most modish, trendy and voguish individuals of society. Consequently, the African Americans have not forgotten their cultural values and traits even after four centuries of their migration from their motherland. The same is applied on the elder sister Dee, which abhors the name her Mama has given to her, and replaces it with Wangero, as she views: “I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.

” (Christian 29) Additionally, the novel also supports the very idea that innate characteristics dominate over personality throughout human life. Hence, the children of the same parents are also different from one another in liking, disliking, tastes and habits. The main theme of the story is this that man is valued as he makes himself valuable. Consequently, the individuals, who take initiative, establish goals and make struggle to achieve the same, are looked at with unabated admiration and respect.

On the contrary, the simple, innocent and extra-obedient and complying members of society lag far behind them in the race of accomplishments and achievements; the same can be observed by getting oriented with the personalities of Dee and Maggie in the story under examination. It is therefore instead of being grateful to the innocent and simple Maggie, the Mama also admires the qualities Dee possesses: “She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice.

” (Christian 229) The story also throws light on the problems faced by the US population including single motherhood, class discrimination, racial and ethnic conflicts and socioeconomic situation etc. Moreover, the author has also highlighted the shabby abode and dilapidated environment in which the lower stratum of the US society lives and strives in order to make its both ends meet on the one hand, and keep the wolf from the door on the other. The story focuses upon the character of the middle-aged lady, called Mrs.

Johnson, and her innocent daughter Maggie, who are leading a miserable and lonely life in the southern part of the USA. Being the member of lower middle class, Mrs. Johnson had led a very hard and pathetic life and had brought up her two daughters by toiling hard throughout the week in her youth. Not only this