Maggie Knows Best

      In Alice Walker’s short story, “Everyday Use”, the character Maggie is more in touch with her heritage than Wangero. Wangero is Maggie’s sister, whose real name is Dee. Wangero is trying to learn more about her heritage and where she comes from which is why she claims to have changed her name. Wangero says, “I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.” However, the name Dee actually goes back many generations in their family. By changing her name from Dee to Wangero Leewanika Kemamjo, Dee is disrespecting her family’s heritage and portraying that she isn’t in touch with her family’s history. Dee also wants the quilts that have been passed down to hang up on her wall and preserve, which is not the right use of the quilts. Unlike Dee, Maggie knows how to quilt. Quilting is one of their family’s traditions and hobbies. Everyone in the family including the grandmothers, the mother, and Maggie, all know how to quilt. Dee’s lack of knowledge for quilting adds to the point that she knows little of her family’s culture. Maggie is more in touch with her heritage than Dee.