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Essay / Heritage And Heritage - 534
Definable RootsIn “Everyday Use,” Alice Walker delivers a powerful fictional story about a mother's conflicted relationship with her two daughters. Walker discusses the importance of appreciating one's own heritage. The concept of heritage, as it applies in history, adheres to African Americans who fought for personal freedom and equality in a cultural sense. If one glanced at the leaves of a tree without digging deep into its roots, there would be no trace of knowledge of their past, origin and heritage. At first glance, the mother has a better idea of her two daughters after realizing that her daughter Dee does not recognize her mother's contribution. Dee is the eldest daughter and is trying to reconnect with her roots. Nonetheless, Dee regrets her past and her family because, frankly, she overlooks the importance of her family in her conquest to change her "heritage language." Due to Dee's ignorance and petting, the mother gradually values Maggie more who is influential in the language of heritage. Throughout the story, Dee takes...