Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use" takes place in the American South between the 1960s and 1970s, an era recognized for its importance in the Black Power movement. Returning from college, Dee shows a new love for her Afro-centric roots, a love she didn't show growing up in her mother's house. Walker uses the multiple contexts from which each of the Johnson families come to characterize Dee's personality and her misunderstanding of the Black Power movement. The sudden change in reactions and impressions Dee expresses toward her former home before leaving for college and her current home after returning highlights the insincerity behind Dee's sudden affinity for culture African. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Before Dee leaves for college, the mother talks about how Dee “hated the house so much” (1227). The mother fears that the similarities between the new house and its predecessor will anger Dee. The house's lack of real windows, the frame of the pasture, and the tin roof were not the physical elements that Dee's mother remembers being obsessed with. On the contrary, Mrs. Johnson believes that Dee would like to "tear it down", probably because of the lack of sophistication that emanates from the house (1228). This gives the impression that Dee values ​​objects and materials showing class and similar superficial qualities over anything else. A house like the one she lives in exudes a lack of sophistication and style in the world Mrs. Johnson describes. Dee prides herself on the validation of others' perceptions of her. However, when Dee arrives, her reaction at home completely surprises her mother. She begins to take several photos of Maggie, Mrs. Johnson, the cow and especially the house. Mrs. Johnson relates, “She never takes a picture without making sure the house is included” (1229). This behavior is peculiar because the mother previously stated that the new house is similar to the one Dee hated so much. Walker is able to reveal how quickly Dee's opinion changed about the house, likely due to her exposure to black people. Power Movement during his university studies. Many young African Americans like Dee began to take pride in their Afro-centric roots around the time of the movement; however, it also shows Dee's insincerity due to her tendency to seek validation from her peers. This explains why Dee takes so many photos of the house, the cow and her family. This is not out of any real sense of pride in her African origin, but rather that Dee wants to impress her friends by revealing how African she is. Walker uses the Johnson household to portray Dee as a character more obsessed with the social connotations of being African during the era of the Black Power Movement, instead of being genuinely proud of being African American. Walker shows Dee's hypocrisy in her treatment of her mother's house and household items. For example, when she asks her mother for the top of the butter churn, Dee says, “I can use the top of the churn as a centerpiece for the alcove table” (1231). Rather than respecting the object's use and using it for its intended purpose, Dee sees more value in keeping the churn top as a centerpiece that she could show off to her friends. This treatment is also shown towards the house when Dee brings Hakim-a-barber to the house for the first time. The mother remembers Dee specifically telling her, “it doesn’t matter where we “choose.”.