Thursday, August 12, 2010

Post two higher level questions (no level one), and any reflections or insights you have about "Everyday Use."

Each student needs one question and one comment to receive points.

"B" for an average understanding.
"A" for a particularly keen insight (i.e. one that teaches us about the story on a level deeper than face value).

68 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Q1: What is so important about the quilts?

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  3. (Florence Yuan, per. 5)

    Answer: The quilts act as symbolic channels through which the reader can see the family members' histories, not just their ancestors'. Dee's open desire for the quilt displays how she is used to getting anything she wants. Maggie's apparently easy willingness to give up the quilt masks her own nostalgia for the past, and also shows that she is "used to never... having anything reserved for her." Dee's dominance as an older sister is not unexpected for her.

    Reflection: I find it interesting that the narrator uses the word "fume" in this quote: "It seems to me I have talked to [white men] always with... my head fumed in whichever way is farthest from them." It sounds as if the white men are repulsive in some way, and the narrator turns her head away to try to diffuse the "odor."

    Question: Why does the narrator accept Dee's name change (to Wangero) so quickly?

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  4. Answer: I believe that the author was so tolerant about Dee changing her name to Wangero because she explains at the beginning of the story that she has a reserved personality. This is exemplified when she asks herself, “Who can even imagine me looking a strange white man in the eye?” She has lived the same type of lifestyle for decades and it gives her no reason to act so demanding; therefore, she just lives life as it comes to her.

    Reflection: I enjoyed how the author decided to stand up to Wangero after Maggie had just allowed her to keep the quilts. The author states that “when I looked at her like that something hit me in the top of head and ran down to the soles of my feet. Just like when I’m in church and the spirit of God touches me and I get happy and shout.” After the author witnessed Maggie give away one of the few sources of happiness in her life, it granted her the confidence to speak for the subordinate daughter. This allowed the author to watch the first sign of happiness to fill Maggie’s face in years.

    Question: Why does the author allow Wangero to leave so easily when she puts so much effort into preparing for her arrival?

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  5. Answer: I feel that the reason that the author allows Wangero to leave so easily is that she finally realizes that Wangero was born to live a different lifestyle and that she can no longer try to contain her desire to experience the modernized world. I believe that it could be hard for any mother to realize that your child wants something different than you had imagined it to be. But the author still has an enormous amount of compatibility with Maggie, who is content with the lifestyle that her mother has provided for her, which I believe eases the pain the the author may have been feeling during Wangero's dissent.

    Reflection: I was puzzled by Wangero's choice to take pictures of the house that she once longed to distance herself from. When the author states, "No doubt when Dee sees it she will want to tear it down...she will never bring her friends." (pg. 128)
    Which brings me to my question:

    - Why does Wangero insist on taking pictures including the house?

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  6. Comment on Natalie's question:
    I believe Dee(Wangero)insists on taking pictures in cluding the house because it symbolizes years worth of heritage held within an oppresssed minority, whom were able to withstand harsh treatment yet keep their culture alive through hand made crafts and such. Her mother does not understand because Dee(Wangero) neverd, took much importance in such things until now when she realizes that these objects are worthy, "'your heritage,' she said, and then she turned to Maggie, kissed her, and said, 'you ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It's really a new day for us. But from the way you and mama live you'd never know it'". this concludes the fact that Dee(Wandera) has become intrigued by every detail and wants to tell about it by capturing these things in the moment and so she insists on taking pictures of every detail she notices upon her arrival to her mothers house.

    Reflection:As I read the story I realized that Dee(Wandera)was a very interesting character, the fact that at a very young age she began to dettach herself from her background overall, trying hard to forget who she was. Although as she returns, she shows a different side of her, a side willing to stand firmly for her heritage and it intrigues me to see this growth from her yet it's a bit absurd on her behalf to come into a life which she never truly took part in and now expects to have things her way.

    Question 1:In the beginning Dee's(Wandero) mother recalls her daughter saying she would not bring her friends over to their house yet when she arrives she brings a man that is hinted as being muslim, I was wondering why is it that she brings this man along?

    Question 2:In the beginning it is stated how Maggie will remain nervous until her sister leaves and when her sister arrives her prescense seems to make Maggi invisible, I was then wondering what it is that has created this environment between these two sisters?

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  7. Comment on Rosie's question 1: Dee (Wandero) probably brings this man along to visit her family now that she has become more interested and connected with her heritage. At a young age she was most likely ashamed of the way she grew up in the small house with all the cultural influence. Now that she has grown and has come to appreciate her background she isn't afraid to have a friend accompany her to the place where she grew up.

    Comments on Question 2: Due to the confidence that Dee held throughout her life on the person she wanted to become she made her sister feel ashamed of where she was from. Dee wanted to get away from the old broken down lifestyle and experience what life had to offer her while Maggie chose to stay with her mother. This relationship between the two sisters may have also evolved from the fire that burned down their first house due to the fact that it says "That is the way my Maggie walks. She has been like this, chin on chest, eyes on ground, feet in shuffle, ever since the fire that burned the other house to the ground." (Page 127) Because Dee did not like the house and was somewhat happy it was gone after the fire, Maggie must have enjoyed living there causing her to seem invisible behind her sisters ideas maybe thinking that because she disliked the house so much that meant she did not like Maggie either because she did love the house.

    Reflection: Within Everyday Use strong cultural lifestyles influence the text greatly. Whether it is the mothers heritage reflecting back to the way she grew up around hogs and cows, or whether it was Dee's evolved attitude toward her heritage, the way of life the three girls grew up with show the real theme of the story; That everyone should be proud of where they come from and embrace their cultural diversity.

    Question 1: After so many years of not wanting anything to do with her family or heritage, why does Dee(Wangero) want all of the antiques and quilts now that she has come back to visit her family?

    Question 2: Throughout the story Maggie seems like she doesn't want to show too much emotion around her sister; How come at the very end of the story as Dee(Wangero) leaves Maggie decides to smile?

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  8. Comment on Kellie's Question 1: I think the reason Wangero wants all of the antiques after distancing herself from them for so long is that when she left, she wanted nothing to do with her heritage. She hated her upbringing, and the influence that traditional culture had on her life. However, now that she has grown up and seen the world, she appreciated different flavors of life, and this is seen by the fact that she brings along a muslim friend,the fact that she obsesses over anything that has any correlation to Mama's culture, and her excitement at the old bench's wear marks.

    Comment on Kellie's Question 2: I've 2 thoughts on the reason why Maggie smiles only at the very end of her sister's visit. One thing it might be is that Wangero's statement, "You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It's really a new day for us.", simply gave Maggie hope for the future. My other thought is that Maggie might have thought that Wangero's statement was funny and absurd, because Maggie was content with her life and the course it seemed to be taking; Maggie knew that she didn't need or want anything, and Wangero's search for cultural antiques was funny and ultimately, fruitless.

    Reflection: I thought that it was a bit weird that Mama was completely fine with the fact that Wangero came back to visit the family, but instead became focused on only old items of no value.

    Question 1: What is Hakim-a-barber's role in the story? What is his significance?

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  9. (Ricardo Garcia Paul Per.1)

    Comment on Kellie's question 2: Maggie finally sees that hr mother cares about her. In the begining of the story Maggie's mom dreams of wining the respect of Dee. Maybe Maggie is happy that her mother finally stood up for her. Maggie is intimidated by her sister and is afraid to show emotion towards her. Maggie sees how Dee has become a different person, and is glad that she does not hide her heritage.

    Comment on Rosie's question 2: Maggie has always felt to be subordinate to Dee. Their mother has unknowingly relegated Maggie. Their mother dreams of living up to Dee's expectations. She has funneled all her strengh and work to make Dee proud. Their mother should be blamed for creating this atmosphere.

    Question 1: Do you think that Maggie's mother sided with Dee more than Maggie, and is so how didi it affect Maggie?

    Question 2: Do you think society caused Dee to dislike her heritage?

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  10. Answer 1: Dee seems to believe that the antiques in the house are important now because she sees her heritage in a different way, with her new "lifestyle" and new friends influencing her personality. However, she does not really care about the story behind the object, just that it is old and it would be a decorative item in her new home. She feels that she is entitled to own everything in the house because her mother and sister are not clever or sophisticated enough to own anything worth value. She is oblivious to the fact that Maggie appreciates these treasures much more then she does and believes that no one can stop her from taking what she thinks to be her's.

    Answer 2: Maggie seems to hide all emotions to protect herself from being verbally attacked. When her mother does not want to give Dee the quilts, she tries to make the fight stop and offers a solution that only negatively affects her. But, when her mother steps up for her and not to Dee, it makes her feel more important then her spoiled sister for a change. When Dee leaves Maggie sees that she does not need to be afraid of her sister or Dee's ability to receive everything she wants without objection and Maggie's ability to get punished for doing nothing wrong. Maggie finally feels that she does not have to be the one who must sacrifice which makes her so happy that she smiles.

    Comment: In Everyday Use, it is very infuriating seeing how hypocritical and spoiled Dee is as a character. Dee wanted nothing to do with her family, she thought she deserved better things in life than anyone else. She tried to leave her family in the dust when she went to school, but then she seems to make a change in life with the introduction of new and "interesting" friends. Now she feels like she should appreciate her back round, but in a condescending way, such as taking pictures of her house that she despised and the way she takes objects from the house without explanation or reason. She also feels that her family should be different, and to her liking, even though her family is content with their simple lives, opposite of what Dee wants.
    Question 1: How did Dee come to be so spoiled that she believes that she deserves a richer life with higher standards then her family?
    Question 2: How will this visit affect Maggie's life and the way she views herself in the world?

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  11. Answer question 1: In my opinion, I believe that Dee wants the antiques and quilts that have so much to do with her family's heritage because those seem to be the only thing that makes her feel comfortable and makes her feel part of the family even though she is the one who is pushing herself away from them.

    Answer question 2: Maggie never showed any emotion towards her sister but in the very end of the story when Dee leaves Maggie finally decides to smile perhaps because she saw her sister's interest in the quilts and antiques and that made Maggie happy to see that after all her sister did want something to do with her family and their heritage.

    Reflection: While I was reading this story, I realized how big of an influence that a family and it's heritage has a certain people. The quote, “when I looked at her like that something hit me in the top of head and ran down to the soles of my feet. Just like when I’m in church and the spirit of God touches me and I get happy and shout." really stood out to me in the exact fact of the importance of heritage.

    Question: Why do you think heritage was such an important role in this family, and yet Dee(Wangero) wanted nothing to do with her family/heritage?

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  12. (Sierra Rushworth Per.1)

    Response to Anna's Question 1: I think that Dee is spoiled because of the society that she lives in. When she was younger she was ashamed of her life and her family because they were poor and ill educated. In a society those standards of living are considered unacceptable to all of those with a more luxurious lifestyle. Dee educates herself, changes her image, and attitude in hope to live a "better" life then her mother and her sister.

    Response to Anna's Question 2: I think that because Maggie's mother finally stood up for her, she feels like she is important somehow. Maggie is given a ray of hope that life is not always about ending up with nothing but sorrow and fear. I think that she will finally start to see herself as being worthy of having happiness.

    Comment: I thought it was intriguing that the author named this piece "Everyday Use". It relates to when Dee is arguing with her mother about why she should have the quilts instead of Maggie. Dee argues that "they're priceless...[and] Maggie would put them on the bed and in five years they'd be in rags". Dee believes that her heritage should be preserved and displayed for people to see as they pass through her house. While Maggie and her mother are content with just living their lives unconsciously mixing their heritage into their family and passing it down from one generation to the next. This represents how different people celebrate their heritage and their past in different ways. This brings me to my first question...

    Question 1: Do you think that heritage should be preserved and displayed or should it be integrated into everyday life?

    Question 2: Why does Maggie look at her sister, Dee, with fear instead of anger when Dee is trying to take the quilts away?

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  13. Answer to Sierra Rushworth's Q#1: From my personal point of view heritage should absolutely be preserved because it is a reminder of the obstacles that our ancestors had to overcome. In addition, it gives us a reflection as human beings that life is always difficult but as humans we must find it in our inner-selves and face up to the adversity that stands in our way.

    Insight on "Everyday use" by Alice Walker: Going back to Sierra's question on preserving our heritage, Alice Walker uses the old quilts as a symbol of African American adversity. I find it intriguing that Dee tells her younger sister " You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, but from the way you and mama still live you'd never know it" (132). As portrayed by this quote, Alice Walker vividly illustrates that Mama and Maggie still live on the past. Mama is a hard working woman built for man's work; neither mama or maggie are educated. This goes back to slavery, it's like if Mama and Maggie were living in the times of slavery . As a result, Dee points out the significance of the old quilts as a mare reminder of their heritage. Moreover, Dee is living in modern times where African Americans have rights, she is a symbol of modern women who do not depend on man to provide for them; unlike Maggie who is marrying John Thomas. The Quilts in this story are just a reminder of the adversity African Americans experience during slavery; Dee could take the quilts made by machine but she wants the ones stitched by hand. A symbol of the sweet and labor put by her grandmother

    Question #1- Evaluate if Mama will ever grow into modern times after receiving Dee's affection? Is this perhaps why she has such a difficult time connecting to Dee?

    Question #2- Do you personally think that the title "Everyday use" has a meaning behind the quilts? If so what would that meaning be?

    -LUIS Dorantes Period 6-

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  14. Comment on Justine Panian´s question:
    After Mama tells Dee that the quilts will be for Maggie, Dee retaliates by demonstrating her anger towards Mama. After noticing Dee´s rage, Mama realizes that all her attempts to impress Dee were pointless and a waste of time; however, she finds interest in Maggie´s response when she tells Dee she can kkep the quilts. Both Dee´s disrespectful behavior and Maggie´s courage make it easy for Mama to let Dee leave because she preferers the daughter that shows respect and not ignorance.

    Question: Mama´s view towards Maggie significantly changes when Maggie offers Dee to keep the Quilts, but would Mama still show that new love towards Maggie if she never overcame her fear of telling her sister to keep the quilts?

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  15. Answer to Mrs. Markgraf: The Quilts Symbolize heritage and the ancestors of their past families.It also reflects how they have accustomed throughout the years and have developed.

    Answer to Sierra Rushworth Q#2:Question 2: I think Maggie looks at her sister Dee with fear instead of anger because Dee was simply going to use the quilts for there appearance instead of the significance of there heritage behind them.

    Comment:In the short story,"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, I think the main moral of the story is to not be ashamed of where you come from and how your standard of living is.Dee seemed to resemble no interest in this while her sister Maggie on the other hand had more interest and understanding in this concept of her heritage.

    Question: Evaluate and explain if you think that Dee has a better understanding of her heritage, If so what do you think she has learned through this experience?

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  16. Answer to cassandravillalpandoper.5: I think that Dee has a better understanding of her heritage in a certain aspect, but not completely. Dee knows that her heritage is sacred and lost to her, because she has moved on to a modern lifestyle, and hse is trying to keep some of her heritage preserved by taking keepsakes of her family. However, Dee cannot comprehend how important the quilts are because she has not taken the time to think about their origins and the memories embedded in them. The lifestyle Maggie and her mother are living is the lifestyle in which simple things are appreciated, and Dee cannot appreciate these simple things as much as her mother and Maggie can.

    Comment: In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," Walker makes it clear that heritage and family ties are more important than anything else for Maggie, who appreciates the memories and hardships that olden-day lifetsyles go through;For Dee heritage is not important, just something to be shown in a simple quilt, never talked about or thought about, because she is too caught up in the ways of modern-day living to appreciate the memories and simple things about life and heritage.

    Question 1: Does Mama have scars like Maggie? It says "I can still hear the flames and feel Maggie's arms sticking to me, her hair smoking and her dress falling off her in little black papery flakes," so if Mama was holding Maggie while she burned, did Mama also get burned?

    Question 2: Why is Mama so willing to part with the dasher and the churn top when she still uses them, possibly even needs them? She doesn't even put up a fight.

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  17. Answer to Sierra Rushworth Question 1: It really depends on the type of person you are and how you view your heritage. I believe that heritage should be preserved because it may be the last thing you have from your past, and it's your duty to keep it safe away from harm. If you use it in everyday life, its life span will be significantly shorter.

    Reflection: I believe the author displays the moral of the importance of keeping your heritage alive. Dee's character symbolizes that voice inside your head that tries to push you away while Maggie is the voice that brings you closer. This is a great symbolic story, and Alice Cooper did a great job.

    Question: How does Dee's attitude affect Mama and Maggie throughout the story?

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  18. Answer to question #2 by Luis: In my opinion the title everyday use has everything to do with the quilts. When arguing over the quilts Dee(Wangero) states that Maggie would "probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use" (131). Dee (Wangero) wants to hang the quilts the quilts like artifacts and doesnt even know the basic facts of who made the quilt. She pretends to have a deep historical connection but fails to understand the true meaning of the quilts. Maggie would put the quilts to everyday use and they would therefore fulfill their purpose. Grandma Dee and Big Dee taught Maggie how to quilt and Maggie will probably make more quilts herself and keep the tradition alive. Grandma Dee and Big Dee made the quilt in hopes that it would be used to keep someone warm during cold times. On the other hand, If Dee (Wangero) kept the quilt the quilts the purpose of the quilts would not be fulfilled. Maggie understands the real purpose of the quilts and has a real emotional connection to them.

    In my opinion the author shows how Dee is ignorant even though she has the best education possible. Dee knows the historical plight of African Americans but fails to understand the history of her own family. Maggie and Mama, on the other hand, understand their heritage much better than Dee. Dee even changes her name to Wangero (a seemingly more African name) but fails to understand the heritage in her own name that was passed down for at least 4 generations.

    Question: "Have you ever seen a lame animal, perhaps a dog run over by some careless person rich enough to own a car, sidle up to someone who is ignorant enough to be kind to him? This is the way my Maggie walks. . . . She knows she is not bright. Like good looks and money, quickness passes her by." This quote from the book is very confusing. Explain the referance to an animal being compared to Maggie.

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  19. The above comment was written by Jessica Bazan Period 5

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  20. Answer to Trevor Abrahamian's question: Dee's attitude throughout the story affects Mama and Maggie by making them feel dumb or so much less than what she is. She has a higher confidence level than Mama and Maggie and shows how they are afraid to stand up to it. In the end, Mama stands up to Dee and her headstrong attitude and leaves Dee somewhat speechless.

    Comment: In Alice Cooper's story, "Everyday Use," the characters of Mama and Maggie are portrayed as lesser than that of Dee. Dee is overly confident in all she does and doesn't expect to put into place. Mama and Maggie don't have as much as Dee but are able to cherish the little things with more heart than Dee ever could. I believe that Mama and Maggie display a weaker people in society but portray it as the one who succeeds in the end.

    Question 1: Do you think Dee only went back to visit her family to make them happy with her presence and let her end up getting what she wanted?

    Question 2: What was Hakim-a-barber's role in the story? Was he really married to Dee or did he really not have a purpose?

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  21. @ Trevor Abrahamian:
    I think that Dee's attitude doesn't really affect Mama and Maggie until the quilt scene. Most of the time, Mama and Maggie simply submit to Wangero's will. I think that over the years of putting up with Dee, they have come to understand what kind of person she is and have simply come to accept this. I think that Mama's answer to Dee's attitude in the past was always submissive and she simply collapsed in under Dee's demands. However I think Wangero's attitude finally gets to Mama in the end, and Mama decides that this once she is going to stick by her decision and give the quilts to Maggie.

    Question: I got really curious about all the little hints into the lifestyles of the old and the new. Why do you think the author contrasts the lifestyle of Mama and Maggie with Dee's?

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  22. Answer (trever): The fact that Wangero moved to the city because she is ashamed of Mama and Maggie's unsophisticated life style hurts them. Mama says that Dee (Wangero) will probably not bring any of her friends. Mama has learned to accept Wangero's embarrassment towards them, yet is still upset. Also the fact that Wangero is not able to take value of their house. When it is burnt down Dee is delightted that not only the shabby old house is gone but also the memories that went with it.

    Comment: The overall theme of the story is appreciate your heritage. For the past decades African Americans have been oppressed and been parted from their culture so they try to grasp anything that is left from it. In this case it is Mama and Maggie. The burnt down house is a symbol of their heritage, so when it burns down Maggie and Mama are affected by it.

    Queation: why does Wangero suddenly want the quilts and want to take pictures of the house she once hated? why does her attitued change?

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  23. To Soledad:
    Answer: Wangero isn't interested in the objects themselves. She has a newfound interest in her African heritage and the money she could get when these items become valuable. Wangero is only visiting her mother and sister for selfish reasons. So in reality, Wangero's attitude hasn't changed. She is still a selfish, needy person.

    Question 1: Why was the mother, one who appeared so independent and strong, willing to let her selfish daughter take some of the family's treasured possesions? How could she sit there and do nothing?

    Question 2: When their old house burned down, why was Dee just standing there watching? Why wasnt she helping her sister, who was obviously just burned badly? Did Dee have something to do with starting the fire?

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  24. Oops.. I forgot my comment.
    Comment: It bothered me that Dee had no respect for her mother and sister. It was perplexing that even after her mother had done all she could to send her daughter to school, Dee still spited her mother and treated her rudely.

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  25. Answer(Michelle): Dee doesn't care enough about anyone except herself to go visit her family to make them happy. All the intentions she had for going over to visit her family were selfish. She was simply going to grace them with her presence and take what possessions she could for her home.

    Comment: I think it's interesting that Dee's mother doesn't comment on the irony in Hakim-a-barber's name, seeing as she has clearly identified him as a very hairy, shaggy man.

    Question: Although Dee claims her mother and sister know nothing of their modern world, why is it that Dee is the one with a lack of understanding?

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  26. Answering Soledad's question: I believe once Wangero was able to witness life outside her home with the Narator and Maggie, she saw the transformation of the African American culture. She saw that her culture had a greater value than that of servetude only. She also came to recognize that her culture contributes to society, therefore she began to take pride in her heritage and her understanding of the significance of her home and the quilts that illustrated the hardship people like her mother faced in poverty.

    Comment: Even though Maggie and Dee both grew up in the same house and under the same circumstances they have very disticntive personalities. This is seen in Maggie's is of acceptance of her situatuion and Dee’s demand for change.

    Question: Some people say that “ignorance is bliss.” Does this idea apply to the living situation of Maggie and her mother compared to Dee’s outlook on life?

    -Milagro Menees p6

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  27. Kyla (Ky) Simeno (Period 6)

    Answering Milly's Question: I believe that it would be a very smart observation to say that Maggie and her mother are purposefully being ignorant in the way that they are living; I also think that Dee strongly believes that they are being ignorant. This shows in her last words to her mother and sister, "You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It's really a new day for us. But from the way that you and mama still live you'd never know it." It is clear that they are "ignorant," however, I do not feel it a bad thing necessarily. Dee may see it that way, but it seems as though Maggie and her mother are doing fairly well on their own the way that they are living. So, in this case, to Maggie and her mother, "ignorance is bliss," but to Dee, with their living conditions, ignorance is just stupid.

    Comment: The narrator says how she way able to kill animals "as mercilessly as a man." I believe that this was placed in the writing to show the reader how she had the ability to care for her children as their loving mother, but also as their gathering father. As well as indicating that part of her lifestyle, it also shows how, at the end, she was able to speak up for herself and maggie about the quilts. She wasn't only the quiet mother who wouldn't stand up for what she wanted, but she had the authority and she had the voice to do so.

    Question: How did Dee (Wangero) inherit the way she took things from her mother without asking and already assumed that they were hers just do do something artistic with them, while her sister, Maggie, grew up being seemingly more humble?

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  28. Answer (Kalina's Question #1): I believe that the mother wasn't necessarily willing to let her daughter take the possessions. She just couldn't find the will-power to say no to her overpowering and spoiled daughter. Wangero had been seen as a higher individual by her family who held her on a pedestal. She had "..nicer hair and a fuller figure.." and she "..wanted nice things.." She was never content with what she had whether it was their moderate house or her average mother. Her mother didn't want to sit back and do nothing, but the intensity of Wangero overpowered her voice.

    Comment: Dee (Wangero) was very adamant about possessing the quilts and the other family possessions. She wanted pieces of her families heritage so badly, but when her mother calls her by her birth name "Dee" she has changed her name. Her mother explains that her name has been a part of her families' heritage for many generations, but Wangero, "..couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me." Her statement contradicts itself when she wants possessions of her heritage, but she doesn't want the name of her families generations.

    Question #1: Are Maggie and her mother truly happy with the way they live their lives? Or do they wish they were more like Dee (Wangero)?

    Question #2: Why doesn't Maggie have a voice of her own where she can stand-up for herself and voice her opinions?

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  29. Answer:(Kiirsten's Question #1)I believe that Maggie and her mother do in fact like the way they live their lives. They were both brought up in humble circumstances and that is the only way they've known to both live and be since they were both children. That being said, feelings of insecurity shown in Maggie through her walk described as a "dog ran over by some carless rich person", and in the mother through the appearance she dreams of having show that they wish they had a confidence nature like Dee.

    Comment: I felt that the level of disrespect that Dee displays towards her mother is completely out of line. After all she had done for her, she continued to feel ashamed and showed no sign of gratitude. Her change of name just proves her yearning to be unassociated with her family and feeling of superiority.

    Question#1:What does Dee's(Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo) new name symbolize for her?
    Question#2:What experiences might "Dee" have had that caused her to appreciate the items she once had considered old-fashioned?

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  30. comment:I think that the purpose of the story is to show the importance of old things that you or your family value. In this case, in "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, the things that the family values are the two quilts because they belonged to their grandma. Also, they valued the memories that the quilts brought to them because they were a symbol of their heritage. They wanted to remember who they were and where they came from and that's what the quilts were for them; they were a memory of their heritage.

    Question 1:Explain what does the title "Everyday Use" has to do with the main events of the story?

    Question 2:If Dee was outside watching when the house was burning, did she had something to do with the fire? or why didn't she do something about it?

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  31. Answer (Justin's Question #1): Dee and Maggie have different lifestyles which affected the way they acted towards the quilts. Ms. Johnson and Maggie have a very "useful" hardworking life dedicated to farming, and man's work. They feel that because Dee has been blessed early in her life and managed to escape from the fire that she has a different outlook on life. Her traditions from her previous education give her a mindset of believing everything has a purpose and should stand for something, such as the quilts. However, I feel that because Ms. Johnson and Maggie have committed themselves to their work, they feel the quilts should be used in every day life. So to answer your question, I believe she didn't put as much effort to making Dee stay after her long preperation for her arrival because she felt that the quilts were going to good use based on her ideas of African culture.

    Reflection: "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker exposes African culture in two different ways based on a conflict between characters influenced by their previous experience. Ms. Johnson and Maggie, who have come from little money or oppurtunity, show disdain towards Dee, the more beautiful, accomplished sister that has very little obligation. Tension occurs when Ms. Johnson finds quilts that have very paramount effect on her culture and what her work means to her. She ultimately decides to give the quilts to Maggie and watch Dee leave her house in pity because she feels that Maggie has a right to own the quilts because she will put them to good use. Dee wants the quilts to symbolize her heritage, however, Mama feels the new, more stylish Dee doesn't deserve the hand-made quilt, instead someone who has struggled somewhat in their lifetime. This story uncovers the different viewpoints towards slavery and reflects how life works today.

    Question #1: If Maggie hadn't of been burned in the fire or had some of the oppurtunites that Dee had, how do you think her mother would have dealt with the quilt situation?

    Question #2: What does Dee represent in how the world thinks about slavery today?

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  32. answer@gracielachavez #1. i feel that the title is referring to the quilts and how they would be used by both maggie and dee. Dee being a materialist and keeping them in storage just to say she has them them. Maggie being more of a realist, would use them practically because that is how she feels they would be best put to use.

    Comment: The way Dee treats her mother after everything her mother has done for her is Dee's need to feel superior to people she considers bbeneath her. So she felt she could tske whatever she desired from her poor mother and sister and there would be zero reprecussions for her actions.

    Question 1: Why has Maggie always been submissive to her sister?

    Q2: What was the real purpose of Dee visiting her mom and sister?

    Justin Manweller p.5

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  33. answer: justin manweller, question 2: the real reason Dee visited her mother and sister was so that she could take the valuable heirlooms that were made or passed down from the family. Although Dee herself would not accept the name that was passed down to her. She comes over for self gain. She is willing to drop things that may lessen or lower her self imagine such as her name, but when she realizes she can now benefit from the churn top, the dasher, and the quilts, she uses the visit to see her family as an excuse. she had previously thought the quilts had been out of style but realizes their worth and vast amount of culture.

    question: how did Dee's success in life and her pride cause Maggie's spirit to break and accept whatever she could get in life?

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  34. Answer @Justin Manweller #1: I'm a little confused about where in the story Maggie was being submissive, but I think you mean towards the end. I believe she was being very passive about acquiring these quilts because she acknowledges how badly her sister wants them. She understands that she would appreciate them a lot more than she would and knows that her sister finds them special.

    Comment: I find it a little scary how aware the children are; the way they relinquish their names because it reminded them of their "oppressors" is chilling. Wangero (Dee) says "I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me." If someone above has mentioned this already, then tell me so I can read what they have to say. I find it both humorous and naive of them to hold such a grudge at a young age, but to be susceptible to the feeling of hate at that young age is disturbing.

    Question 1: Why is it significant that Dee prefers hand-made quilts over industrial made ones?

    Question 2: Why does the author begin the story in multiple tenses and perspectives?

    Will Buckley p.6
    (btw Justin M., you're in period 6 :])

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  35. Answer :( Graciela’s #1) The title "Everyday Use", in my opinion, is referring to the everyday use that Maggie will get out of the quilt. After the mother tells Dee (Wangero) that she had previously promised to give the antique quilts to Maggie, Dee gasps 'like a bee had stung her.' and argues that," Maggie can't appreciate these quilts! She'd probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use."(p.131). While Dee (Wangero) wants the quilts to possibly sell for their high priced value, Maggie would probably keep them and use them to remember what they represent. The title signifies that the mother agrees with Maggie and would rather see the quilt used than give it to her greedy daughter, Dee (Wangero), for profit.

    Comment : It is interesting to me, as Milly stated, that although both Dee and Maggie grew up with the same circumstances as the other, their personalities and morals are almost polar opposites. Dee is described as beautiful, smart and highly ambitious. While on the other hand, Maggie is reserved, selfless and accustomed to living in the shadow of her sister.

    Question #1: Do you think this experience will significantly affect Dee's(Wangero) perspective on life and her family?

    Question #2: How do you think Maggie's relationship with her mother has been affected? Do you think Maggie will positively benefit from this?

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  37. Answer:@carlosssgutierrez, question #1: Dee's new name Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo symbolizes that, not only was she called by the name "Dee", but maybe because she wanted to be called something else so people can know which "Dee" is who because in the context it says that the real "Dee" is actually dead, there are different people named after "Dee", for example, Aunt Dicie, Big Dee, & Wangero.

    Comment: I find it interesting that the narrator admits to being a large woman that is somewhat strong and has working hands of a man.

    -Even though Maggie can remember Dee without possession of the quilts, why can't she be trusted appreciating the quilts ?

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  38. Yesenia Lopez :)

    Answer to Evan Boyle's question: Well i believe that this experience will definitely affect Dee's life asterward. Dee returned with such a positive attitude and after her encounter with the quilt she left with a great deception and sadness. After college Dee changed her name and came back as a whole new person and after this experience she will probably not want to come home that often. As Maggie thought Dee, " held life always in the palm of one hand, that "no" is a word the world never learned to say to her." Maggie also thouhgt that everything was handed to Dee(Wangero) but in this situation when Mama took the quilts and gave them to Maggie, Dee probably felt something great beeing denied to her for the first time. So definitely i believe that this experience will change Dee's perspective of life and her family because she will finally learn how to loose.

    Question: Analyze what overcame over "Mama" that made her yank the quilts out of Wangero's hands and give them to Maggie?

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  39. Answer (Andrea's Question #2): In "Everyday Use," Dee is a representation of the African-American population who advocated for freedom of choice and civil rights during the 1960s and 1970s. Ironically, her individuality mirrored a gathered sense of community in that the African American people have come together to stand united after centuries of oppression under the "white man's burden." Her ideals are metaphorical of the Black Pride Movement, and illustrate the view that racial superiority is wrong, and should be eliminated...that people should see unity in diversity. Dee overall symbolizes the modern perspective of slavery in that it was (and remains to be) one of the greatest acts of savagery committed in the history of mankind.

    Reflection: "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker accentuates the value of culture and heritage in spite of modern or traditional beliefs. Ms. Johnson and Maggie live day to day as hardworking women on a southern farm, where money and opportunity are seen rarely. However, Dee (the older daughter) was able to free herself from traditional barriers, as she was more privileged due to her experience in more "cosmopolitan" things, such as college. Maggie and Dee's perspectives of the importance of heritage were challenged upon Dee's request to keep the quilts made from her grandmother's clothing. Dee argued to Maggie that she "ought to try to make something of [her]self" because "it's really a new day for [them]. But from the way [she] and Mama still live [they'd] never know it. (132) Despite Dee's newfound passion for African heritage, Maggie and Mama still cherish the quilts just as equally because they see the time and effort it took to make them, and that is something they know that Dee can never appreciate. The divergent views on the importance of the quilts illuminate the significance of representing culture and heritage, no matter what walk of life one comes from. All three of the women realize the quilts as a symbol of the strife their ancestors had to endure in order to maintain their culture.

    Question #1: How does Dee's name change to Wangero along with her accompaniment of an African-American Muslim set the tone of the story? How does the overall contrast of modern versus traditional create a sense of not only communal, but global change?

    Question #2: What was the significance of the TV show anecdote in the beginning of the story? Would the plot be different without it? And how would the reader's view of Mama's personality change without it?

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  40. Thania Ramos (period 6)
    Answer-evan boyle Question 1:Dee's perspective toward life was changed when she was enrolled in Augusta; it is obvious to the reader that Dee returned home to her mother's as Wangero. Dee transformed from a material girl into a woman capable of acknowleding her heritage. The concept of not obtaining the quilts wouldn't have changed the situation with her sister or her mother. Dee hadn't been a perfect daughter as Mama recalled, "I dream a dream in which Dee are suddenly brought together on a TV program"(pg.126),referring to the model families portrayed on these programs.

    Answer to Kristian's Question: Maggie's mental state gives off a sense of instabiliy. Dee takes advantage of Maggie's situation but is not allowed by her mother. Mama understands that Maggie is incapable of defending herself as illustrated by Maggie's reaction to Dee's arrival, "there in front of the house with Maggie cowering behind me"(pg.129).

    Comment:Dee returned home to take advantage of her family, yet she had the reason of protecting her heritage. Dee's true colors shined when she let her mother's house furious.

    Question: Why does Mama keep insisting that Maggie is going to marry John Thomas? Do you agree that if Maggie was going to marry she would have done so already?

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  41. Answer (Andrea's Question 1): I believe that if Maggie had not been burned in the fire, then her mother would still have given her the quilt. Maggie actually spent the quality time with her grandmother and aunt learning how to make quilts, meaning that having the quilts would mean more to Maggie then Dee.

    Reflection: This short story reflects two different types of heritage. Dee who wants to only preserve her heritage and show it off as a priceless item on a wall and then theres Maggie who wants to use her heritage in everyday life or "Use".

    Question 1: Do you think that heritage should be preserved and displayed (Dee) or intergrated in everyday life (Maggie)? (Heritage refering more to the Quilt)

    Question 2: If you were in the mother's position, who would you give the Quilt to and why?

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  42. Aristeo Lucero-Period 6

    @Maci Miri

    Hakim-a-barber's role in the story to me signifies as the cornerstone in which Dee transitioned from being Dee (the name which contained her childhood, past and family) to Wangero the name of a complete stranger holding no connection to anything. The recollections that Mama provided always showed Dee striving for more than everyone else. Hakim-a-barber is the gateway to that Dee needed in order to surpass the limitations that were pressed upon by previous generations. Ref: Pg 132 line: 300 "You ought to try to make something of yourself too, Maggie. It really is a new day for us"


    Q1: Considering the physical damage done to Maggie, if she were to leave home the same way as Dee did, would the results of the experience contrast greatly from one another, or not at all?

    Q2: Why is Maggie generalized at first as someone of little importance, while Dee is portrayed as an individual of superiority? yet the story ends with the hardly mentioned Maggie?

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  44. (Anahi Marcial Per.5)

    Answer to Anna's Question 1: Dee from a young age must have felt that her duty in life was to set herself apart from the rest of her family. Dee took notice that it wasn't a difficult task succeeding in reading or writing, feeling superior to her mother and sister she took advantage of what was being set in front of her. Therefore much of Dee's spoiled personality was unknowingly being fortified by Maggie and Ms.Johnsons awe of her capabilities. Dee realizing that farm work and hard labor wasn’t for her, she saw the opportunities that she could accomplish were beyond the expectance of others.


    Reflection: I find this story to be about second chances because of Dee (Wangeros)'s ability to return back to her mothers home which she rather disliked. Through out the story she makes references about her ancestry and family roots. Going back to when she was younger the mother could tell she was ashamed of her family "why don’t you do a dance around the ashes?” The phrase shows how she detested where they lived and the joy it brought to her when the house burned down. By going back to her mothers house Dee (Wangero) is regretting the things she wished she would have treasured realizing the family values. Dee (Wangero) took much respect to her ancestral belongings and wished to nourish them. But, Dee (Wangero) didn’t expect her mother to refuse the quilts which made her realize that her attitude from before has reflected negatively of how her own mom and sister view her as.

    Question #1: What feelings do you think Maggie experienced after her mother gave her the quilts? Did she feel a sense of accomplishment or a sense of bond that was created between her and her mother?

    Question #2: What was the emotional reason behind why Dee decided to change her name to Wangero if she never cared much about her culture before?

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  45. Answer (Jordan's Question 1): I believe heritage should be integrated in everyday life. I also think the mother wishes for her daughters to live and be their heritage instead alienating themselves to a completely different life like Dee had done.

    Answer (Jodan's Question 2): The fact that Maggie would incorprate their heritage in everyday life is the reason why her mother gave her "custody" over the family quilts. Her mother believes the quilts were meant for "everyday use" instead of being on display like Dee would have prefered.

    Reflection: The short story, "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, portrayed how modern influences can affect your views on heritage and family. Dee's name change and motives behind returning home greatly angered her mother. Dee returned home thinking she was of higher status and believed it was her right to obtain anything from the home she once was ashamed of. Once her mother realized the severity of Dee's ignorance towards Maggie's feelings, she intervined the situation and stood up to Dee's superior views.

    Question: Why is the relationship between Maggie and Dee so tense? Dou you believe it's a true hatred for one another or mere jealously?

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  46. Answer: @WillBuckley: I think Dee perfers the handmade quilts over the industrial ones, because she realizes that her grandmother had made the quilt and she pushed her heritage away and in my opinion she feels bad that she missed out on all that. She feels the need to have apart of her family's history, because she has realized how important it is.


    Reflection:
    as I read the story, Everyday Use by Alice Walker i found it quite interesting of how Dee didn't want anything to do with her heritage and back round and she even changed her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo. Mamma had asked Dee why she changed her name and she said "she's dead, I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people that oppress me." But towards the end of the story, she becomes very interested in wanting the quilts from her heritage. i thought it was strange how she went from completely not wanting to do anything with her family's history to being all about it and wanting these precious quilts!


    Question 1: Why do you think heritage was such an important role in this family, and yet Dee(Wangero) wanted nothing to do with her family/heritage?
    Question 2: Why does Dee feel oppressed by her descendants and she feels the need to change her name, but ends up becoming quite interested in the quilts that are apart of her heritage?

    --Hailey Burkhard period 6!

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  49. Answer (Anna's question 2): "'She can have them, Mama,' she said, like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her." (131) Maggie told Mama that Dee could have them because she grew up accepting the fact that Dee got what she wanted. But now that Mama put her foot down and told Maggie to keep it, it made her feel more significant in the family. Were it not for the visit, she may have viewed herself the same way for the rest of her life.

    Reflection: "Everyday Use" is about traditions. The story shows two different views. Maggie and her mother view tradition as putting objects to use that have been passed down from generations. To Dee, tradition is something that does not have any more use to it. The issue over the quilt serves as an example. "'Well,' I said stumped. 'What would you do with them?' 'Hang them,' she said. As if that was the only thing you could do with quilts." (131) Mama would rather have Maggie keep the quilt because she understands the importance of it and will put it to appropriate use.

    Question #1: How will Maggie be viewed differently by her mother after Dee's visit?

    Question #2: How did her mother's action affect Dee?

    Andrea Martinez
    Per. 5

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  51. @Andrea Martinez(question #1)- I think that the narrator will see Maggie as a person that is more similar to Dee; "Maggie smiled; maybe at the sunglasses. But a real smile, not scared." Maggie is obviously inspired by Dee's words to her and this would cause the narrator, Mama, to see Maggie differently than how she saw her at the beginning of the story, like a "lame animal."

    Reflection: I think that Mama, the narrator, is scared to let go of her traditional way of life and is put off by Dee's loud unique appearance. This is why she doesnt want to let go of the quilts and let Dee have them, she would rather keep passing them down in the family to someone who will appreciate the traditional style of the quilts which represents their heritage. The narrator is very reserved by nature; consequently, she is frightened of change and Dee represents that change is possible and very easily obtained, but Mama does not want to accept that, which is why she lets Dee leave so easily.

    Question 1: "Have you ever seen a lame animal, perhaps a dog run over by some careless person rich enough to own a car, sidle up to someone who is ignorant enough to be kind to him?" Why does Mama regard her daughter in such an apathetic and negative way?

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  52. Answer (Evan Boyle's #1): I believe that this experience will definitely affect Dee's(Wangero) perspective on life because all her life she was accustomed to people giving her everything and anything she wanted. "Her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand, that no is a word that the world never learned to say to her," until finally her mother stood up to her and prevented her from taking the quilts. The end result of this confrontation leads me to believe that Wangero's mother does not believe she is worthy enough for the quilts and that Wangero should learn that the quilts are more than just antiques but actually a part of their heritage. This will affect Wangero's life perspective by demonstrating to her that she should stop living in the clouds and put her feet back on the ground and learn that she can't always get what she wants and that family is not something to be ashamed of but something to embrace and be proud of.


    Question #2: Maggie's relationship with her mother will definitely become stronger and closer after this situation because all her life Maggie has been pushed around by Wangero and for her mom to finally stand up and defend her gives Maggie a little more self-confidence in the sense that Maggie has never been ashamed of her heritage, and now her mom has deemed her worthy of receiving the quilts. Maggie was chosen over Wangero to receive the quilts, which is a significant because Maggie now realizes that even though Wangero might have had a better life then her, she will carry out the honor and privilege to past down the quilts to the future generations.


    Question #1: What are the major life lessons learned by both Wangero and her sister Maggie? And who do you believe will benefit more from these lessons?

    Question #2: Wangero and Maggie are two completely different people in both personalities and values. What do u believe caused this major distinction between these two characters even though they both grew up together?

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  53. (Kelsey Trepa per.1)

    Adding on to what Ashley said (answering Jordan's Q); the heritage should definitely be incorporated into everyday life, especially in the lifestyle that Maggie has because she and her mom still live very traditionally compared to Dee. The quilts represent a piece of everyone in the past who has worked on it and Maggie will probably be the one who puts a piece of herself in it rather than Dee. Maggie will keep the tradition going.

    Andrea’s Q-
    Her mother’s actions gave Dee a reality check. Dee acted as the world revolved around her and she always got what she wanted. In this instance the Mother stood up and did the unexpected  she ripped the blanket away from Dee and gave it Maggie. Although she still might have a selfish attitude I think Dee now realizes that the world does not revolve around her when it comes to her family.

    Reflection: In “Everyday Use” Dee usually gets what she wants. I’m not sure how that came to be when her family lives such a traditional and low key life. Both Maggie and her mom continue their family heritage but somehow Dee is the exact opposite; she doesn’t appreciate her family. So I find it interesting that Dee has an almost two-faced personality. At the beginning Dee doesn’t want anything to do with her family, but in the end she believes she will preserve the family heritage better that Maggie.

    Question: Does the mom hold a submissive attitude towards Dee like Maggie? If so why?

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  54. (Mandy's Question 1) I believe Mama compares her daughter that way because Maggie composes herself in such a pitiful; she walks with,"[her]chin on [her] chest, eyes on ground, feet in shuffle...". There is no way to describe a person who acts in a negative way in less the description is negative, even if Mama were to "water down" her description of Maggie, it would still be negative and may not allow her to get her point across in the depth that she wishes.

    (Sergio's Question 2) It seems to me that the split in the sister's personalities happened when their house burned down. Obviously Maggie must have had been teased and tormented due to the fact that she has several hideous burns all over her body, causing her to become introverted and jealous of her sister's looks since," Dee is lighter than Maggie,with nicer hair and a fuller figure", and of course does not have unsightly burns. However, Dee's personality may have been caused when she saw houses that were more appealing then hers. She was most likely teased by children who were her own age and had seen her home, causing her to manifest hatred towards it and dedicate herself to having "nice things".

    Question 1: Why does Dee badger her mother about Maggie not understanding her heritage when Dee herself rejected it at first?

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  55. (Sergio's question #2)In the story, Dee is described as being intelligent even at a young age. Her peers were: "Impressed with her they worshiped the well-turned phrase, the cute shape, the scalding humor that erupted like bubbles in lye." (Walker, 128) With the help of adoration from her friends, it appears that Dee developed self-confidence and pride in herself. Her sister, Maggie, on the other hand, is painfully shy and meek. She doesn't possess the book smarts that Dee does, either. Dee seemed to never get what she wanted while everything went right for her sister. Dee and Maggie developed very different personalities largely because they are naturally different people, as Maggie is mentally slower and more humble than her sister. Their values were shaped by their environment, living with their mother in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. Maggie accepts these values of working hard and living simply while Dee moved toward Islam.

    (1)Why do you think Dee decided to convert to Islam?
    (2) Who do you think would have put the quilts to better use, Maggie or Dee? Why?

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  56. answer(mandy tardiff): I think that Wangero's mother uses that qoute because wangero is the rich person. Mama talks about wangero in such a negative way because she realizes who wangero used to be and who she has become. When wangero is arguing that she should get the quilts instead of maggie she is acting like she is above maggie, and better than her; just like the person in the car.
    Reflection: As she is younger Wangero is ashamed of her background and where she has come from; but once she is older wangero holds pride in her house and the history of her family that is in the antiques. I believe that when she was younger wangero was more ashamed of her house "she wrote me once that no matter where we "choose" to live, she will manage to come see us. But she will never bring her friends", when she becomes a succesful adult, wangero takes numerous pictures, and wants to keep family heirloum's "Maggie can't appreciate these quilts!". She wants to show people how far she has come from a small shack like house to a succesful and wealthy women.When Wangero returns to visit her mother and sister, she is showing what a different person she has become and how far she has come.
    Question: When mama says "What don't I understand", and wangero responds "Your heritage", why does wangero believe that she has a better understanding of her heirtage than her mother?
    Question: As a young child Wangero was very smart being one of the few people who could read; she had bright things ahead in her future eventually leaving the home to go off. Why didn't Maggie have the same opportunity,why was she so constrained "you ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie"?

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  57. Answer: Wangero believes she has a better understanding of her heirtage than her mother does because she studied the past and present cultures when she had the opportunity to go to school.
    Answer: Maggie did not get the same opportunity as Wangero because it was expensive and her color "in 1927 colored asked fewer questoins than ther do now,".
    Reflection: As Dee is growing up she doesnt appreciate her family or any interesting part of her family history or background. But throughout the story when she is older and more mature Dee's attitude change and she begins to love her family and wants to get memories of them; "She stoops down quickly and lines up picture after picture of me sitting there in front of the house with Maggiew cowering behind me... then she puts the Polariod in teh back seat of the car, and comes up and kisses me on the forehead,"(129). By the end of the story Dee scolds her mother of not understanding her own heritage when she herself did not care about it most of her life.
    Question: Why are the quilts so important to Dee now, but when she was younger she did not care about them whatsoever?

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  58. @carlosssgutierrez
    I think Dee's new name symbolizes her heritage. Like Kristian mentioned that there are/were multiple members of the family named Dee, the name is significant because: it recognizes the family's history, it shows the bond and unity within the family, and maintains a symbol; an icon- an image the family is proud to portray. The quilts also paint a very similar idea; although they are just collections of old, tatterd pieces of fabric, they symbolize and embrace the family's heritage.

    How does the dialogue, P.O.V. and amount of exposed personal thoughts affect how the story's message is told to the reader?

    I agree with Evan and Milagro that the contrasting personalities between Maggie and Dee are fascinating because they both grew up with similar surroundings. The reader might have have a better understanding if exposed to their thoughts.

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  59. Answer: (to jordan question 1) i think that your heritage should be integrated. i don't think you should open up yourself enough up to the point that someone knows too much about you. i do think that its good to show some of your heritage to let people know the real you. i think the mom just wants them to live knowing their heritage so later on they don't try to blame their loneliness on their heritage.

    Answer:(to jordan question 2) Maggie got the quilts from her mom because she felt that Maggie would actually use it in everyday use unlike Dee who would rather have it on display and practically not care about it. Maggie knows it has sentimental value. Dee would just show it off.

    Reflection: Maggie is so jealous of her sister. Her sister seems flawless oppose to Maggie. Maggie does this to herself by comparing herself to her sister on almost everything. Maggie should have just been herself on not worry about how her sister looks.

    Question 1: Do you think if Maggie didn't have a sister she would be more confident in who she is or does her sister almost complete her character?

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  60. Answer to Megan's question: Who do you think would have put the quilts to better use, Maggie or Dee? Why?
    It all depends on your personal opinion of better. I think both girls will use the quilts in a way they believe is best. But Wangero (Dee) will value the quilts in a way that Maggie never will because of their distinctions. Wangero will view the quilts as much more than just quilts therefore taking greater care of them and having greater pride in being able to call them her own.
    Reflection: My grandparents have always told me that they work hard so that their children could have a better life which leads to me having a better life and so on. I believe that this story also expresses that same belief. Wangero understands her heritage in a way others don't. She values her past (quilts) and also understands that she has been given more opportunities than people who lived before her. and she want's to live in the "new day".
    Question 1: When Dee decided she wants to be called Wangero she doesn't seem certain it's what she wants. She tells her mother that she doesn't HAVE to call her by the new name. Why would she decided to go through a name(identity)change if she would still be okay with being called Dee and why does she use the word 'dead' when describing what happened to Dee?
    Question 2: Wangero clearly shows that she believes she has a better understanding of the past and also what the future can hold by the importance of the quilts to her. But why do Maggie and Mama lack these qualities? What happened to Wangero that allowed her to understand that it's a "new day" for them?

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  61. Answer(Ashley Ward)- The jealousy between siblings is common. One always gets more attention than the other and gets better things than the other.In this case maggie gets less attention than Dee does, but only because, so it seems, Dee lives off of attention.

    Answer(Mandy Tardif)- If I read this section right, I believe she thinks of Maggie this way because she is so used to Dee being bright and cute and social to the people who liked her. Maggie doesnt really care for her appearance as much as she works, which in the end pays off because shes the one who rightfully earned the quilts.

    Reflection: Maggie has truly convinced herself that her sister Dee (Wangero) has had the better life and always recieves the "better end of the stick" then she does. It seems like their mother always goes along with Dee and doesnt even consider Maggie's point of view. Near the end Dee finds these quilts that have history to them, for instance their great grandfathers uniform from the civil war. The patches added to the quilt are all from people who have worked more than a day in their life. the fact that their mother gave the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee shows that Maggie earned them and that their mother stood up for something she knew was right.Why would she give the quilts to someone who didnt earn them or have any reason to have them?

    Question #1- Dee always gets whats she wants. What foreshadows or does foreshadowing even occur that her mother will say no to giving her the quilts and give them to Maggie instead?

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  62. ANTHONY NEGRETE

    Answer to (rogelio5): If Maggie did not have her sister she may feel more confident in herself, but at the same time her sister also completes Maggies character in the story. Without Maggies sister there would be no one for her to compare herself to, therefore boosting her self confidence and changing her character as a whole in the story.

    Question: Why does the author use a poetic style to open up the story?

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  63. Answer to (anthony negrete): The author probably chooses to open up the story in a poetic style to grab the attention of the readers. Rather than explaining the yard in a boring manner, the author describes the yard in a very descriptive and interesting way allowing the reader to visualize the yard without reading any further into the story, but also making the reader want to continue reading.

    Question 1: Why do you think that Mama and the Church decide to raise money to send Dee to Augusta for school, and not Maggie?
    Question 2: What do you think makes Mama say some of the things she says about Dee?

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  64. ANTHONY NEGRETE

    Question 2: Why does Dee change her name from Dee to Wangero? Does she not like name that was given to her by her mother? How could she just disown her heritage?

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  65. Yasmeen Mobayed - Period 6

    Answer Andrea Martinez Question #1: In Dee's last visit, Mama realized that Maggie wasn't the envious and senseless girl that she initially thought Maggie was. Mama realized that Dee held absolutely no sentimental values of the quilts and viewed the quilts as an artistic display, rather than a family treasure. She wanted to put the quilts on a pedestal without knowing or understanding the rich history behind them. On the other hand, Mama realized that although Maggie wasn't wealthy, fashionably in-style, beautiful, or graceful like Dee; Maggie was rich in the knowledge of their African American heritage and their family history. In the beginning of the short story, Mama states that Maggie "[eyes] her sister with...envy." However, Mama realizes that Maggie isn't jealous, she merely understands the sentimental values of the quilts and cherishes her Grandmother's quilting skills that were passed on to her, which is why Maggie offered Dee the quilt. Maggie wanted the quilt to remember her grandmother; however, she didn't mind giving Dee the quilt because Maggie would easily be able to sew another quilt and remember Grandma Dee because Grandma Dee was the one who taught her how to quilt.

    Reflection: In the short story "Everyday Use," by Alice Walker, I think that Dee is encompassed by a life of materialism and has completely lost touch of her family history and heritage. When Dee visted Mama and Maggie last, she wanted the chute top as a "centerpiece for the alcove table" and the dasher for "something artistic." Dee completely disregarded the fact that Maggie and Mama use both items everyday. She also ignored the fact that there is rich history behind the dasher and the chute top than just an artistic display. Maggie informed Dee that "Aunt Dee's first husband whittled the dash," but Dee disregarded it and resumed her thoughts on how she was going to use the dasher for decoration. Dee also wanted the quilts, but was oblivious to the history behind them. She wanted to hang the quilts for display, not use the quilts to remember her grandmother; on the other hand, Maggie wanted the quilts to remember Grandma Dee, which shows Dee's materialistic thinking in comparison to Maggie's sentimental thinking. Dee lost complete touch with her heritage and family history and looked at family treasures with a materialistic eye.

    Question #1: One would say Maggie was recieving the short end of the stick, like always, when she offered Dee the quilts. Do you think she was recieving the short end of the stick and giving up the quilts or was she being the bigger person and cherishing the quilting skills she was taught by Grandma Dee rather than the quilt itself?

    Question #2: Throughout the story Dee is seen going through a different stages in life. At one point, Dee changes her name to Wangero because she "couldn't bear being named after people who opressed [her]" and becomes interested in historical family items. Is she trying to deepen her knowledge about her family history or is she going through another one of her phases?

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  66. answer yasmeen question 2: i believe that the reason for the name change is a type of bildungsroman. in other words dee is coming of age where she has the capacity to think for herself and form her own thoughts, feelings and opinions. she has now changed her name to wangero to symbolize her change of mindset.

    question 1: how does the author through his text, try to symbolize the "new" and "old" stages of wangero?

    question2: what is the point being displayed when the quilts are given to maggie who allways complains about being subordinate to dee?

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  67. The only question i had was that dee changed her name and that she left her mother to get married and to go to college(i think?) she comes back and askes if she can have the two quilts, even though when she left for college, she said she didn't want them. why would dee want them now?

    Do you think that de really wants them because she is trying to embrace her heritage or that she wants them because of another reason since it seems like she is attracted to wealth.

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  68. Question 1: What exact moment leads Mama to take the quilts away from Dee?
    Question 2: Why is this moment so important to Mama?

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