According to feminist theory, cultural definitions of gender roles can be patriarchal or antipatriarchal (Tyson, 83-86). In the short story "Everyday Use", Alice Walker describes her characters' gender roles as antipatriarchal within the context of feminist theory. Specifically, this idea is present in Mom's physical appearance, the activities she participates in, and her refusal to submit to authoritative figures. Additionally, Walker positively portrays anti-patriarchal ideology through the character of Mama, especially when she violates traditional patriarchal gender roles. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Feminist theory examines how identity is shaped by cultural definitions of gender roles. According to feminist theory, there are two types of ideologies: patriarchal and antipatriarchal. In patriarchal societies, men hold all or most positions of power, while women are oppressed and have few opportunities. Patriarchal gender roles are very traditional, meaning that men are masculine providers, strong and powerful, although sometimes violent; and women tend to be feminine, submissive, nurturing, and maternal. Patriarchal thinking praises individuals who embody these characteristics and condemns those who question them, while antipatriarchal philosophy does the exact opposite (Tyson 83-85). In “Everyday Use,” Mama takes on the role of the man of the house and is praised for doing so, reflecting the antipatriarchal ideas in the text (Tyson 99). She has no male support, but mom works hard to take care of her family. She takes on the role of head of the house and performs stereotypically masculine tasks, embodying the traditional gender roles of a man. The first line of the story is: "I'll wait for him in the yard that Maggie and I made." clean and wavy yesterday afternoon” (Walker 274) and immediately paints a picture of Mom’s ability to perform manual labor. Walker goes on to illustrate the importance of keeping a yard clean and in good repair, as it is "like an extended parlor" (Walker 274), thus praising Mom for her efforts. The strong and violent nature of traditional male roles is evident in Mom. In the text, she describes some of the activities in which she participates: “I can kill and clean a pig as ruthlessly as a man...I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water to wash with; I can eat pork liver cooked on the open fire within minutes of it being steamed. One winter I hit a calf in the head, between the eyes, with a sledgehammer and hung the meat to cool before nightfall” (275). Mom's actions and success in carrying out traditionally male tasks to provide for her family demand this. being powerful, both physically and emotionally, and forcing her to adopt a violent nature rather than a motherly and nurturing one. Mom's physical appearance is also very masculine. She describes herself as "a tall, muscular woman with rough, hard-working hands" (275), who chews tobacco and wears overalls to work during the day and flannel pajamas at night, which are clothing typically worn by women. working men. in the story, Walker suggests that Mom doesn't think of herself as beautiful. She thinks her daughter would like her to be “a hundred pounds lighter… [with] skin like a raw barley pancake” (275). Rather than being oppressed by these.