She is concerned with herself and she seems to only come home to take things back with her, including things like a butter dish and dasher. When she decides she wants the quilts, she sees no reason why she should not have them, noting "Maggie can't appreciate these quilts!" (1427). Mama suddenly realizes how selfish Dee is when she thinks she deserves certain things because she thinks she can appreciate them more than anyone else can. She moved away to become enlightened and returned a snob. She wants to use every experience, past and present, to enhance her feigned future. She does not care about her family in the least and Maggie's handing over the quilts demonstrates this to the fullest. "Everyday Use" should remain in the literary cannon because of Walker's unique style. Walker presents realistic characters and embellishes her stories with symbols that help drive her points home. The quilts are an important symbol because they represent heritage and how each girl responds to that notion. Maggie's "defects" are also a symbol of her seeming lack. Elisabeth Piedmont-Marton writes, "Maggie's own scarred body resembles the faded patches of the quilt, where stitching resembles healing. She is literally making something of herself everyday, just like she and her mother make things everyday" (Piedmont). Maggie is likened to "a lame animal, perhaps a dog run over by some careless person" (Walker 1423) and she hangs her head as she walks. She is "not bright" (1423) while Dee is outgoing and lovely. Maggie appears to be the weakest person in the story but she emerges strong. We might be drawn to Dee initially but we soon learn that the old adage of judging a book by its cover is true. Each daughter's view regarding the quilts cause mama to see them in a new and honest light. Mama realizes this as she places the quilts in Maggie's arms. She is...
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