An essay on one of the short stories in the 'River Side Reader' it is a responce to the short story 'Everyday Use' by Alice Walker

Everyday Use By Alice Walker The short story Everyday Use is central in Alice Walker's writing, particularly as it represents her response to the concept of heritage as expressed by the Black political movements of the 60s. Despite its importance, no adequate explanation of the African and Arab names used in the text has to my knowledge appeared. Yet Walker was very careful in her choice of names, which signify an important part of her …

…beautiful and functional out of throwaways. Art is made for everyday use, not for art's sake. The problem posed by the debate over family possessions is whether heritage is an object to be preserved, like a priceless painting, or a process, to be learned, like the creation of a quilt. The preference of Maggie over Dee makes me uncomfortable, though I found the story intriguing and one that I continually read over and over again.