Heritage and Identity in 'Everyday Use'
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Questions and Answers

What does Dee's desire for the quilts symbolize?

  • Her intention to showcase her heritage without grasping its realities (correct)
  • An attempt to improve her family's economic situation
  • Her understanding of her family's struggles
  • A rejection of her rural upbringing

How do Mama and Maggie's perspectives on heritage differ from Dee's?

  • They view heritage as a collection of artifacts.
  • They see heritage as an elite status symbol.
  • They connect heritage to their daily existence and lineage. (correct)
  • They believe heritage is only significant in academic discussions.

What broader socio-economic issue does Dee's departure highlight?

  • The equal opportunities available to all African-Americans
  • The struggles of women in academia
  • The importance of relocating to urban areas for success
  • The class divide and educational inequalities faced by rural African-Americans (correct)

What does Mama’s decision to give the quilts to Maggie signify?

<p>An appreciation for Maggie's hardships and lived experiences (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way is Dee’s understanding of heritage described in relation to the Civil Rights era?

<p>It represents a broader trend of rediscovering African culture. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the tension between Dee and her family represent?

<p>A divide between abstract cultural appreciation and lived reality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Maggie characterized in relation to the family’s heritage?

<p>As the ideal bearer of family traditions due to her hardships (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dee’s decision to change her name reflects her desire to:

<p>Distance herself from her family and rural roots (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key factor shapes the perceptions of Twyla and Roberta toward each other throughout the story?

<p>Societal views on race (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Roberta's character change throughout the narrative?

<p>She develops more racially biased views. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the initial bond between Twyla and Roberta symbolize?

<p>An untainted connection free from racial prejudice. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological concept is reflected in the way Twyla and Roberta's sense of self evolves?

<p>Freudian repression (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What internal conflict does the man experience throughout the story?

<p>A longing to be 'first best' versus feelings of self-doubt (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the nature of memory in the relationship between Twyla and Roberta?

<p>Memory is influenced by societal pressures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Freud’s concept of repression relate to the man’s sense of inferiority?

<p>It is responsible for his feelings of low self-worth and jealousy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the final interaction between Twyla and Roberta reveal about their relationship?

<p>They feel tension and confusion regarding their perceptions of each other. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the ego play in the man’s internal struggle?

<p>It mediates between his unconscious desires and the external world. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defense mechanism does the man use when he projects his feelings onto the woman?

<p>Externalization of anxiety through projection (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does ambiguity play in the story?

<p>It highlights the complexity of race and identity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What overall theme does Morrison explore through the interactions of Twyla and Roberta?

<p>How the past influences present identities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the man's belief in being 'second best' primarily stem from?

<p>His competition with the woman's former lover (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What critique does Walker make about the political appropriation of heritage?

<p>It is often disconnected from lived experiences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional state does the man ultimately find himself in due to his internal conflict?

<p>Emotional turmoil and paralysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these elements is NOT a factor in the man's emotional turmoil?

<p>A supportive social network (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Dee's desire for the quilts reflect her understanding of heritage?

<p>She sees them as mere artifacts of her culture. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of the man's inability to integrate his desires and fears?

<p>A feeling of being emotionally stuck (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Mama's decision to give the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee suggest?

<p>Heritage is tied to lived experiences and personal histories. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What broader themes does Walker's story address regarding identity and heritage?

<p>The conflict between individualism and communal identity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way is Dee's character described in relation to political movements?

<p>Dee is actively engaged in reclaiming her African heritage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Walker suggest about cultural artifacts in relation to heritage?

<p>They can exist independently of personal narratives. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What historical context influences the critique presented in Everyday Use?

<p>The Civil Rights and Black Power movements. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What underlying conflict does Walker explore in her depiction of the characters?

<p>The struggle between individual aspirations and communal heritage. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Oedipus complex primarily about?

<p>Child's rivalry with the same-sex parent and desire for the opposite-sex parent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 'Second Best', what emotional struggle does the man experience?

<p>Sense of inadequacy and need for external validation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What prevents the man from fully embracing his love for the woman in 'Second Best'?

<p>His belief in being 'second best' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme does 'To His Coy Mistress' primarily explore?

<p>The inevitability of death and the importance of living in the moment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the psychoanalytic lens help in understanding the man’s struggles in 'Second Best'?

<p>By highlighting his unresolved internal conflicts and repressed emotions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the man in 'Second Best' fail to reconcile in his emotional turmoil?

<p>His desire for the woman and his belief of inferiority (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the poetry of Andrew Marvell in 'To His Coy Mistress' compel the mistress to do?

<p>To reflect on the fleeting nature of time and act on her feelings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately characterizes the man’s identity crisis in 'Second Best'?

<p>His deep-seated feelings of jealousy and inferiority (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device does Marvell use to emphasize the speaker's exaggerated feelings of love?

<p>Hyperbole (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'winged chariot' metaphorically represent in the poem?

<p>The passage of time (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which stanza is decay vividly described through imagery?

<p>Second stanza (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What central theme does 'To His Coy Mistress' primarily explore?

<p>The tension between the ideal and the real (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'carpe diem' signify in the context of the poem?

<p>Seizing opportunities in life (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What deeper layers of meaning can be revealed through a psychoanalytic reading of the poem?

<p>Unconscious desires and repressed emotions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by the phrase 'vegetable love' in the poem?

<p>Love that is slow to grow but not yet fulfilled (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marvell's use of formal structure affect the poem's meaning?

<p>It reinforces the urgency of living in the present (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Understanding of Heritage

The story explores the difference in how Dee and Mama understand their heritage and identity. Dee sees it in a more intellectual and abstract way, wanting to collect cultural artifacts and change her name to reclaim her heritage. Mama, however, values heritage as something lived and experienced in everyday life.

Dee's View of Heritage

Dee’s desire to get the quilts symbolizes her attempt to own a part of her family's history without truly understanding the hardships her family faced. She values them for their historical significance, while Mama and Maggie see them as part of their daily lives.

Mama's View of Heritage

Mama gives the quilts to Maggie, showing that heritage is not about collecting symbolic objects, but about carrying on traditions in daily life. Maggie has faced hardship and understands the true meaning of family heritage.

Dee's Motivations

Dee’s desire to reclaim her heritage stems from the political movements during the Civil Rights era, where there was a focus on rediscovering and celebrating African culture. She wants to separate her identity from the history of slavery and oppression.

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Class Divide

The story shows the class divide between Dee, who has moved away to pursue education and a more intellectual life, and Mama and Maggie, who stay in their rural environment and work to maintain their everyday lives.

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Dee's New Identity

Dee's pursuit of a different identity is influenced by African-American intellectualism and a critical view of white-dominated society. She chooses to live a life that separates her from the struggles of her family.

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Mama and Maggie's Perspective

Mama and Maggie, despite facing hardship, are grounded in their community and work hard to make their daily lives sustainable. Their understanding of heritage is tied to their lived experiences and the continuity of family life.

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Central Themes

The story explores the theme of identity and heritage, showing how different individuals understand and connect to their past. Dee's actions represent a broader historical trend of reclaiming African heritage, while Mama and Maggie embody a more grounded and practical understanding of tradition.

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Unconscious Mind

The part of the mind that contains thoughts, desires, and memories that are not consciously accessible but still influence behavior.

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Repression

The process of pushing unpleasant thoughts or feelings out of conscious awareness.

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Ego

The part of the psyche that mediates between our unconscious desires and the external world.

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Projection

A defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts and feelings to others.

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Internal Conflict

The conflict between a person's conscious desires and their unconscious anxieties.

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Inferiority Complex

A feeling of being less capable or valuable than others.

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Distorted Sense of Self

A distorted view of reality caused by unconscious fears and desires.

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Emotional Paralysis

An inability to form a stable and positive self-image due to internal conflict.

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Perceptions of Racial Identity

The way individuals perceive each other's racial identity based on societal views about race, even if those views are unspoken.

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Transformation of Racial Views

The gradual change in Roberta's views on race, contrasting with Twyla's more progressive stance.

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Race as a Social Construct

The unconscious influence of societal attitudes and personal experiences on how we understand race, extending beyond physical appearance.

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The 'Other' in the Relationship

The idea of 'the other' in the context of race, highlighting how perceptions of difference can affect relationships, even between individuals who share history.

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Shifting Dynamics of the Relationship

The shift in Twyla and Roberta's relationship, reflecting the impact of societal expectations about race on how they perceive themselves and each other.

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The Ego and Societal Forces

The concept of the ego, our sense of self, being constantly shaped by internal desires and external forces, including societal views about race.

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Repressed Memories and Unconscious Forces

The lingering impact of repressed memories and unconscious forces on people's identities and relationships, highlighting the complexity and ambiguity of human experiences.

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Psychoanalytic Lens on Identity and Relationships

The story's exploration of how memory, repression, and the unconscious shape individual identities and relationships, prompting readers to question their own assumptions and biases about race and identity.

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Political Appropriation of Heritage

The story critiques how heritage is often used for political purposes, neglecting its connection to everyday life.

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Politics of Identity

The story explores the complexities of identity politics, specifically how African-American identity has been politicized, particularly during the Civil Rights and Black Power movements.

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Mama's Decision

Mama's decision to give the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee emphasizes that true heritage is about honoring the everyday experiences and personal histories that shape an individual's cultural understanding.

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Individualism vs. Communal Identity

The story highlights the tension between individual identity and communal identity, particularly within the African-American community during the post-Civil-Rights era.

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Heritage Beyond Symbols

Walker critiques the view that heritage can be reduced to external displays of cultural artifacts or symbols without acknowledging deeper personal connections to history and family.

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New Historicist Reading

Alice Walker's Everyday Use critiques how African-American heritage is understood in the context of the 1960s and 1970s civil rights and Black Power movements.

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Socio-cultural Dynamics

The differing views of Dee, Mama, and Maggie showcase the broader social, economic, cultural, and political dynamics surrounding African-American identity and heritage.

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Oedipus Complex

A psychological concept describing a child's feelings of rivalry towards the same-sex parent and desire for the opposite-sex parent.

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Unresolved Childhood Issues

The idea that our experiences from childhood, especially unresolved conflicts, can impact our adult behavior, thoughts, and relationships.

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Need for External Validation

The need for external validation or approval from others, often stemming from an underlying insecurity.

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Metaphysical Poetry

A literary genre that uses metaphors, complex imagery, and philosophical ideas to explore complex themes.

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Persuasive Argument

A persuasive argument, often using emotional appeals, to convince someone to take a specific action.

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Seize the Moment

The idea that time is limited and we should make the most of it, especially in matters of love and relationships.

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Hesitation

The act of delaying or hesitating, potentially missing out on valuable opportunities due to indecision.

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Hyperbole

A literary device that uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

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Metaphor

A literary device that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

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Imagery

A literary device that uses vivid descriptions to create images in the reader's mind.

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Carpe diem

The theme in literature that encourages seizing the day and enjoying life.

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Psychoanalytic Reading

A type of literary analysis that focuses on the author's unconscious desires, repressed emotions, and psychological motivations.

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Dramatic Monologue

A poem in which a single speaker addresses a silent listener, often revealing their thoughts and feelings.

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Ideal vs. Real

The tension between the ideal and the real in the poem, highlighting the contrasting themes of love and mortality.

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Theme of Time

The poem's exploration of the passing of time and its impact on love and life.

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Study Notes

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Description

This quiz explores themes of heritage and identity as depicted in Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use'. It examines the contrasting perspectives of the characters Dee, Mama, and Maggie on what heritage means to them. The questions delve into socio-economic issues and the significance of personal identity within cultural context.

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