The Heritage of the HouseIn Alice Walker's “Everyday Use,” Dee's negative attitude toward housekeeping Johnson reflects his shame towards his family and their interpretation of heritage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The descriptions of the house described by Mama, Maggie and Dee distinguish how their lifestyles are different and how they affect perception that Dee has from her family. . Initially, the courtyard of the house is described as “more comfortable than most people think… like a long sitting room” by Mama, the narrator (1226). Its convivial character is due to the care given to the courtyard by Maggie and Mama, who had “made it so clean and so undulating” (1226). They view the court as a place of comfort and protection from the outside world. However, the narrator suddenly realizes, before Dee arrives, that "without a doubt, when Dee sees it, she will want to tear it down." She once wrote to me that no matter where we “choose” to live, she will manage to come see us. But she will never bring her friends” (1228). The distinction between the narrator's concern for the house and Dee's disdain reveals Dee's feelings of shame and disappointment. While Maggie and Mama take great pride in keeping the house clean, Dee despises the state of the house, just as she despises the family, when she says, "It's really a new day for us." But the way you and mom live, you’d never know” (1232). The contrast between Dee's modern thinking, with her Polaroid and her new name, and Maggie and Mama's traditional views makes it more difficult for Dee to accept the household she grew up in and causes greater distance within the family. family. in the 1970s, "Everyday Use" captures the erroneous value of Dee heritage places on the house. For example, when she first arrives at the house and begins taking pictures with her Polaroid, Dee “never takes a picture without making sure the house is included” (1229). From the beginning, Walker makes it clear that this house is an essential part of Dee's memories of her family, despite her embarrassment over their living conditions. However, Dee's interest in the history and antiquity of the house becomes only materialistic when she exclaims, "I can use the churn top as a centerpiece for the alcove table" and, in referring to her grandmother's quilts, says she is going to "hang them up...As if that were the only thing you could do with quilts" (1231, 1232). The house is used as a way to fill Dee's false sense of heritage, where she feels the need to connect to her roots as a black woman. Once again, Dee's modern views on Black Power clash with her mother's traditional views, when Mom refuses to give Dee the quilts and she states, "Maggie can't appreciate these quilts!... She'd probably be pretty backward for daily use. » (1231). Conflict deepens within the family when Mom asks, "'What don't I understand?' I wanted to know. “Your legacy. "[Dee] said" (1232). Dee's misinterpretation of culture represents the time period the Johnsons live in, where black people would be proud of their ancestors and heritage. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The Johnson's Housekeeping is a device Walker uses to explain the obvious difference between Dee and the rest of his family. Their perceptions.