Symbolism is a literary technique used by many authors. Symbolism uses an object, person, or place to represent something greater than what it actually is or means. For example, the crucifix symbolizes honor, sacrifice and love of all men. Symbols also represent suggestions for ideas, such as traffic lights, red symbolizes stopping, yellow symbolizes slowing down, and green symbolizes going. The symbolism is even used to celebrate, in Hispanic culture a quincenera is used to symbolize a girl becoming a young woman. In the short story, Mama Johnson, mother of Dee and Maggie, is a hard-working woman who sets out to try to raise money to send her eldest daughter, Dee, to school. Little to know that Dee would come back caught up in social status. Dee (Wanjero Leewanika Kemanjo) returns to despise her family and take family heirlooms with her. Dee might overlook the fact that Mom and Maggie use most of the items she wants to take with her on a daily basis. The quilts that are the family's women's connection to living history mean nothing to Dee because she just wants to hang them on the wall, Mama Johnson makes a wise decision and gives Maggie the true representation of the quilt. Dee doesn't like the decision very much and storms off. Telling your mom “you just don’t understand”… “what don’t I understand?” I wanted to know” “Your heritage,” she said” (Walker722) In Everyday Use by Alice Walker, the literary technique of symbolism is used several times throughout the short story. The character of Mama Johnson is caring, courageous and independent. She is the true representation of African American women. She is the symbol of a hard working woman and everyone who has had a middle of paper... that goes on and on without being hung on the wall. I'm sure if Maggie had been named Dee, she would boast about being named after the great women in her family. She values ​​everything her culture has to offer. As you can see, symbolism is used pervasively throughout this short story, to represent many great things in African American culture. Works cited by Bmad, Nick. “Symbolism in the Daily Use of Walkers.” » Enotes. Np, July 4, 2007. Web. March 17, 2014Eshbough, Ruth. "A Literary Analysis of Alice Walker's Short Story 'Everyday Use'." YAHOO! VOICE. Yahoo,inc., August 21, 2008, March 17, 2014Velazqez, Juan R. “Characterization and Symbolism in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use.” Lone star. Np, and Web. March 17, 2014Walker, Alice. “Daily use.” Heritage of American literature. Ed. James E. Miller. Vol2. Austin:Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch,1991. 714. Print.