15 Questions
Who will the narrator wait for in the yard?
the narrator will wait for her in the yard
How is the yard described?
the yard is described as an extended living room
What is Maggie nervous about?
Maggie will be nervous until after her sister goes, she will stand hopelessly in corners, homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs, eying her sister with a mixture of envy and awe
What does Maggie think about her sister?
Maggie thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand, that 'no' is a word the world never learned to say to her
What is the significance of the yard to the characters?
the yard is more comfortable than most people know, it is like an extended living room where anyone can come and sit and look up into the elm tree and wait for the breezes that never come inside the house
What is the significance of the yard to the narrator and Maggie?
The yard is like an extended living room, a comfortable place to wait for the breezes that never come inside the house. Maggie is nervous until her sister leaves.
How does the narrator describe Maggie's feelings towards her sister?
Maggie feels a mixture of envy and awe towards her sister. She thinks her sister has always held life in the palm of her hand.
What does the narrator imply about the world's attitude towards the sister?
The narrator implies that the world has never learned to say 'no' to the sister, suggesting that she has been privileged or favored.
What physical characteristic of Maggie causes her to feel ashamed?
Maggie feels ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs.
How does the narrator describe the yard's surface and its resemblance to a living room?
The hard clay is swept clean as a floor, and the fine sand around the edges is lined with tiny, irregular grooves, making it a comfortable place for anyone to come and sit.
What is the significance of the extended living room to the characters?
The extended living room is a comfortable and inviting space for the characters, providing a sense of solace and connection to nature.
How does Maggie feel about her sister and why?
Maggie feels a mixture of envy and awe towards her sister, believing that her sister has always held life in the palm of her hand.
What emotions does Maggie experience when her sister is around?
Maggie feels nervous and stands hopelessly in corners, feeling homely and ashamed of her burn scars.
What does the description of the yard reveal about the characters' relationship with nature?
The description of the yard reveals that the characters find comfort and solace in the natural environment, as it is described as an inviting and serene space.
How does the portrayal of the yard reflect the theme of internal struggles and external appearances?
The portrayal of the yard reflects the characters' internal struggles and external appearances by showing the contrast between the tranquil exterior and the characters' internal emotional turmoil.
Study Notes
The Yard
- The yard is a comfortable space that is often underestimated.
- It is described as an extended living room where one can sit and look up at the elm tree.
- The yard is carefully maintained, with hard clay swept clean and fine sand lined with tiny grooves.
Maggie's Character
- Maggie is nervous and ashamed of her burn scars.
- She stands in corners, feeling homely and envious of her sister.
- She believes her sister has had an easier life and that the world has always given in to her sister's demands.
The Sister's Relationship
- The sister is seen as someone who has always had control over her life.
- Maggie looks at her sister with a mixture of envy and awe.
- The sister is perceived as someone who has never been told "no" by the world.
Test your knowledge of Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use" with this quiz. Delve into the themes, characters, and plot details to see how well you remember this literary classic.
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