...The Beauty of the Simple Things "Everyday Use" is the story of a mother and two daughters. Mama is a basic woman who frankly enjoys a basic life. "I never had education myself" (71) and she was just fine with that. It begins with Mama waiting patiently in the yard for her daughter Dee. She, unlike her daughter Dee, was proud of the life she lived and where they came from. "It is not just a yard. It is like an extended living room." (69) Mama is truly connected to her home as if it defines her. She could not part with it even after the fire that burned half of it to the ground. "How long ago was it that the other house burned?" (71) Even in the beginning of the story, we can see that Mama cares for and even adrmires her first daughter Dee...
Words: 1154 - Pages: 5
...and her master Sir John sat down. They both took a teacup and put sugar in the tea. Rachel looked into the deep brown of the tea in sir john’s cup. Rachel smelled the delicious taste that was longing to be brought to her lips. Her hands went out to take the cup but snapped back in when Mistress Sarah yelled, “Stop at once! You fool! Tea is only for civilized human beings! Not a negro like you!” Rachel set the pot of tea by Sir John and ran out into the fields where her mother was picking cotton with a few other Africans. She spotted her mother and hugged her. “What’s happened?” asked her mother stroking her braids. “Oh Mother!” said Rachel wrapping her arms even tighter around her. “Rachel!” yelled Sir John. “Go child” said her mother. “I’ll be right here” Rachel ran toward the front door. “A slave owner is here to have a look at you” said Sir John pushing her into the house. Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. She held back her tears The slave owner was sure to take her away from her mother and papa and little Noel who was only eight months old. She would be thrown on a ship and would be taken somewhere...
Words: 1261 - Pages: 6
...King expresses in many ways that discrimination is a problem that needs to be acknowledged and taken seriously. King said “America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked as “insufficient funds”” (King 2). By saying this, King expresses that America is dealing his people a bad hand. A symbolic bad hand of poverty that his people suffered through, just like the Youngers did. King also said “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of it’s creed: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.” (King 4). By saying this he addresses the fact that from the time that the Declaration of Independence was passed in 1776, which was made to make America and it’s people, as one, free. Not only the white people and 187 years later it is only the white who are free and treated...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
...mother and sister. As Sexton notes, Dee "considers herself as cultured, and beyond the abased quality of the lives lived by her mother and sister" (par. 3). She makes her feelings clear when she attempts to "take" the quilts Mama had promised to Maggie: "Maggie can't appreciate these quilts... she'd probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use" (Walker, 103). By using the quilts for purposes other than their original intent she believes that she is respecting her heritage, but this is not the case: her desire to put them on display is "really not quite so different from the white capitalist cashing in on ethnic artworks" (Sexton, par. 4) Not only is she conforming to the worst of American ideals, but she is rejecting and disrespecting her own cultural heritage-- all under the pretenses of preserving it. It is in this sense that she is the "embodiment of the struggle for a unifying identity," because she has not yet come to understand her place in society as both an African and an American. In great contrast with Dee, Maggie is a simplistic and good-hearted person. These characteristics add dimension to the story, and make her a "more likely bearer of sacredness, tradition, and true value than her "brighter" sister". She understands the true meaning of heritage. Just as her sister asserts, Maggie is "backward...
Words: 1207 - Pages: 5
...“light-bright’ near white, high-yellow, red-boned, in a black place.” Red boned means a racially mixed person, and she is describing her skin as a light and near white color. The next stanza shows the readers what kind of lies she said. She told the white folks that she lived uptown, her homemade dresses were straight from Mason Blanche, and she kept quiet when a white girl called her white. Her lies shows that she wants to hide the fact that she lives in a black neighborhood, and she wants to pass as a white. The third stanza describes the punishment she received when her mom found out she was telling the lies. Her mom cleaned her mouth with “ivory soap,” claiming it would purify and cleanse the lying tongue. Part: 2 * Step 1: the technical aspects Yellow highlight: internal rhymes Green highlight: alliteration White lies –Natasha Tretheway- The lies I could tell, when I was growing up light-bright, near white, commas separate 2words each rhythmic high-yellow, red-boned, in a black place, were just white lies. metaphor First stanza is one sentence with commas for end stopping and caesuras. Introduces her background. A lot of imagery used such as “light-bright, near white high-yellow, red-boned, in a black place.” It is literal meaning of describing herself. Few internal rhyme and alliteration. I could easily tell the white folks that we lived up town, not in the pink and green imagery, literally describing the neighborhood? shanty-fied shotgun section alliteration ...
Words: 1269 - Pages: 6
...Everyday Use The text “Everyday Use” is a short story written by Alice Walker, from 1967. The story is about an African-American family, a mom and her two daughters. Maggie, the youngest daughter, is a nervous young girl and a bit of shy. “»How do I look, Mama?« Maggie says […] almost hidden by the door.” (p.10, m). The narrative, the mother, talks about the way Maggie walks. “Have you ever seen a lame animal, […] that is the way my Maggie walks.” (p. 10 m). The fire had given her scars, not only physical but also psychological. The physical scars on Maggie’s arm and legs make her feel less attractive. She looks up to her sister, Dee, even they haven’t much in case. After the mother has given the quilts to Maggie, she just sits there and smiles a real smile; there she knows that she has deserved the quilts. Dee, the oldest daughter, is opposed to Maggie; she’s almost perfect, she is good looking with nice hair and a beautiful figure. “Dee is lighter than […] though I sometimes forget.” (p. 10. b). Style is a thing Dee has too, “At sixteen she had a style […] and knew what style was.” Maggie thinks that Dee gets just what she wants and she doesn’t have the most difficult life. “She thinks her sister […] the world never learned to say to her.” (p. 9. m). When Dee is coming out of the car, the mother and Maggie see that she wearing accessories. “Earrings gold, too, […] the dress out of her armpits.” It shows us that she has success and tells that she is a strong woman, who is...
Words: 708 - Pages: 3
...Logan Pearsall Smith once said, “It’s not what an author says, but what he or she whispers that is important”. To me, this quote means that it’s not what’s written directly in front of you in the novel, but the hidden meaning throughout the story that is very essential and important. I believe that this quotation by Smith is agreeable because of the reason that when authors are writing their novels they always have a deeper and more significant meaning added to it to provide a lasting thought or idea that could be impactful to someones life in the future. Two works of literature that support this quote by Logan Pearsall Smith is The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. Both works of literature use the literary element of theme in their stories that help support the quote by Smith. In the play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, he uses the literary element of theme to help support the quote. One theme in particular that Shakespeare uses in his play is the transformation of characters throughout the story. For example, the quote from act five, scene two, “Now, fair befal thee, good Petruchio! The wager thou hast won; and I will add Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns; Another dowry to another daughter, For she is changed, as she had never been” by Babtista clearly illustrates how the theme of disguises is being used by the playwriter. Baptista describes Kate's outward transformation from shrew to...
Words: 842 - Pages: 4
...about as far as how your mama indirectly yet quite efficiently tried to instill moral values and life lessons was just how I was raised. Reading this adolescent recollection of yours got the gears turning in my head and sparked a similar memory I had as a child as well as all the similarities you and I have in our character. My own grandma, who everyone called Mamita, was single handedly one of the greatest, most influential women I've had in my life and I'm sure by the way you wrote about your Mama that you admire her and could easily say the same. Mamita literally took care of everyone single handedly too. Her husband passed away when my mother was only 2 years old, so she played the role of a mother and a father. With a responsibility like that you can bet that whenever she spoke her audience was giving her their full attention. Our abuelas would have gotten along like little kids on a playground. Not only do they have similar attributes, they both took great pleasure in their café con leche time and both happen to be Puerto Rican! Although Mamita was firm, the words she spoke were never harsh or belittling and it seemed to me that your grandma was the same, an inference I immediately made about your Mama was that she was very caring yet stern and wanted the best for everyone she spoke to. My grandma always taught me right from wrong and how to carry myself as an individual just as your Mama did for you. I know my grandma had the same intentions as Mamá did when she spoke and...
Words: 802 - Pages: 4
...endorse the termination of racism and encourage egalitarianism. The awe-inspiring production A Raisin in the Sun became renowned as a historical reenactment of a handful of people most personal, influential, monumental, life altering moments in life that occur within their home. The play epitomizes real life’s situations about overcoming obstacles, defining one’s distinctive way of life, and handling idiosyncratic conditions at home in a reconstruction of the fictitious Younger family who animate life in 1950s America, moreover Chicago. The play was created by an African-American writer Lorraine Hansberry in 1959 who advocated for human rights which consists of racial minorities and women. In the day to day reality of the Younger’s situation, Mama, Beneatha, Ruth and Walter are able to come together in harmony realizing that together they are stronger than they are separately. The moral in A Raisin in the Sun, publicized through the Younger family, epitomizes the magnanimous gesture of gratitude and devotion to always love your family, the people you are already given in life to be a companion. The characters in the story have very different personalities which lead to a family dynamic that evolves into a common acceptance by the end....
Words: 2373 - Pages: 10
...represented by two lower case b’s (bb) and hazel, which is an incomplete-dominant trait which can be represented by an upper case ‘B’ and lower case ‘b’ (Bb). His hair is very curly which is caused by a dominant allele, but is also blonde which is caused by homogenous recessive alleles. As a baby, Robert got all of his scheduled shots but repeatedly got ear aches which were easily treated with ear drops; this was probably caused by his premature birth. He was born on March 2, 2010, almost 4 weeks early. In his first year of life, he developed faster than the average child. He began to walk at 7 months, whereas the average child starts to walk between 9 and 12 months. He said his first word, “mama,” with meaning at 6 months whereas most children will babble after they’re 4 months old, but they don’t attribute meaning to words until they’re 12 to 17 months. Then at about 26 months, he began to mimic people with his first...
Words: 1736 - Pages: 7
...A Detailed Lesson Plan in English (First Year—Secondary) A Detailed Lesson Plan in English (First Year—Secondary) I. Objectives At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to: 1. Identify statements that show cause and effect relationship. 2. Read a poem correctly and clearly with expressions. 3. Appreciate reading poems. 4. Decode words with “augh” (o) sounds II. Subject Matter Cause and Effect Relationship Reference/s: Fun in English Reading Textbook pages 94-101 Materials: Visual Aids, Charts, Flash Cards, Pictures, Name Tags Values: Develop a genuine love for reading, love for family III. Procedure A. Learning Activities Teacher’s Activity “Good Morning Class...” “Let us pray first...” (Checking of Attendance) ...say present... “Please pick up the pieces of paper under your chair” “So how was your weekend?” “That’s good! Have you enjoyed your weekend bonding with your family?” “That’s good to know. For this morning, our discussion will be in relation to a family. Are you familiar with Barney’s I Love You Song?” “Okay that’s good, so are you ready to sing and have fun today? Student’s Activity ...
Words: 1360 - Pages: 6
...A Detailed Lesson Plan in English (First Year—Secondary) I. Objectives At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to: * Identify statements that show cause and effect relationship * Read a poem correctly and clearly with expressions * Appreciate reading poems * Decode words with “augh” (o) sounds II. Subject Matter Cause and Effect Relationship Materials: Visual Aids, Charts, Flash Cards, Pictures, Name Tags Reference/s: Fun in English Reading Textbook pages 94-101 Values: Develop a genuine love for reading, love for family III. Procedure A. Learning Activities Teacher’s Activity “Good Morning Class...” “Let us pray first...” (Checking of Attendance) ...say present... “Please pick up the pieces of paper under your chair” “So how was your weekend?” “That’s good! Have you enjoyed your weekend bonding with your family?” “That’s good to know. For this morning, our discussion will be in relation to a family. Are you familiar with Barney’s I Love You Song?” “Okay that’s good, so are you ready to sing and have fun today? “Let us sing Barney’s I Love You Song.”(Students Sing)“I love you, you love me and we’re a happy family,With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you,Hope you say you love me too.” “Okay now class, What can you say about the song? Does it tell us something important that we have already forgotten to do nowadays?” “How could you say so Joseph...
Words: 1343 - Pages: 6
...LORRAINE ANSBERRY H A Raisinin the Sun Characters RUTH YOUNGER TRAVIS YOUNGER WALTER LEE YOUNGER (BROTHER) BENEATHA YOUNGER LENA YOUNGER (MAMA) JOSEPH ASAGAI GEORGE MURCHISON MRS. JOHNSON KARL LINDNER BOBO MOVING MEN The action of the playis set in Chicago's side, sometime South between World War II and thepresent. Act I Scene I Friday morning. Scene II Thefollowing morning. Act II Scene I Later, thesame day. Scene II Friday night, a few later. weeks Scene III Moving day, one later. week Act III An hour later. ACT I SCENEI The YOUNGER living room would comfortable wellbe a and ordered roomifitwere for a not number of indestructible contradictions to this stateofbeing. furnishings andunIts typical are 486 Lorraine Hansberry distinguished and their primary feature now is that they have clearly had to accommodate the livingof too many people too for many years—and they aretired.Still,we can seethatatsome time, a time probably no longer rememberedby the (except perfamily haps for MAMA),the furnishings this room were actually selected of with care and love and even hope—and brought tothis apartment and arranged with taste and pride. That was a long time ago. Now the once loved patternof the couch upholstery has to fight to show from under of itself acres crocheted doilies and couch covers which have themselvesfinally come to be more important than the upholstery. And hereatable or a chair has been moved to disguisetheworn places thecarpet; in but the carpet...
Words: 30520 - Pages: 123
...the money, he doesn't even attempt to get money from a different source - he just mopes around thinking his American Dream is over. Whereas Walter almost loses his job due to its low income, Steinbeck shows that George and Lennie’s Job gives insufficient money in the first place. George and Lenny tell Candy about their American Dream of saving up to buy a house they could live in. Candy loves this idea and is willing to commit one half of the $600 cost, and asks if George and Lennie could commit now. George admits to having, “‘We got ten bucks between us.’ Then he said thoughtfully, ‘Look, if me an’ Lennie work a month an’ don’t spen’ nothing, we’ll have a hundred bucks.’”(Steinbeck, 25) This is in fact a very low wage, for during the 1930s, as the average wage is about $166 per month, while George and Lennie only make $100 combined. This lack of income economically keeps them away from their American Dream, meaning that if they had more money, they would be more likely to achieve their American Dream. By limiting their American Dream. Steinbeck is showing that the American Dream is unattainable without a strong...
Words: 1063 - Pages: 5
...The word family has different meanings to everyone. Families come in all different shapes, sizes, races, and ages. A lot of families are related by blood, but that does not mean that they have to be. In the novel Plainsong by Kent Haruf, Victoria Roubideaux and the McPheron brothers are part of an unconventional family. Victoria has never been accepted by the people who are blood related to her. This amount of rejection has left her in a very vulnerable state. The McPheron brothers live a remote life on outskirts of Holt, Colorado. They have a very simple life and a standard routine. There world is shaken when Maggie Jones asks them if Victoria, a seventeen year old pregnant girl, can live with them. The relationship between Victoria and...
Words: 1843 - Pages: 8
