Everyday Use

Dee wants to continue the traditions through practice

Dee wants to preserve them as art, while Maggie lives them

Dee ignores all traditions completely

Dee and Maggie both want to honor traditions the same way

Dee leaves with the quilts and Maggie cries

Mama gives the quilts to Dee and smiles

Mama gives the quilts to Maggie and watches Dee leave upset

Dee apologizes and stays for dinner

She argues with Dee and refuses to give them up

She cries and runs out of the room

She agrees to give them to Dee without a word

She offers to let Dee have them, even though she is hurt inside

Dee’s new lifestyle in the city

The oppression of rural life

The family’s cultural heritage and everyday tradition

A broken family relationship

Maggie is bold and outgoing, while Dee is shy

Maggie is independent, while Dee is dependent

Maggie is quiet, humble, and traditional; Dee is confident, modern, and assertive

Both are loud and competitive