Uncovering Dee's Obsession: The Truth Behind Her Desire for the Quilts

As the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In the case of Dee, the main character in Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” this phrase holds true when it comes to her desire for a pair of homemade quilts. However, her motivations for wanting these simple pieces of fabric go much deeper than just aesthetics or nostalgia. In this article, we will explore the question that has puzzled readers and scholars alike: why does Dee want the quilts? Through examining Dee’s history and flaws as a character, we will uncover the significance behind her desire for these seemingly ordinary objects and gain a deeper understanding of Walker’s commentary on cultural appropriation and identity in her iconic story. So let’s unravel the mystery and delve into Dee’s world to uncover what truly lies beneath her fixation with those beloved quilts.

Understanding the Cultural Significance of Quilts

The art of quilt-making holds a significant amount of cultural and historical value in many societies. For centuries, quilts have been used to tell stories, preserve memories, and pass down traditions from one generation to the next. In many cultures, quilting is seen as a form of art that goes beyond just creating a cozy blanket. Each quilt is a unique reflection of its maker and their community, making it an important piece in the fabric of society.

Quilts have been around for thousands of years, with evidence dating back to ancient Egyptian tombs. However, it was during the American Colonial era that quilting truly took off. Women would gather together in groups called “quilting bees” to share patterns, techniques and socialize while creating beautiful quilts. These gatherings were more than just social events; they were also a means for women to express themselves creatively and showcase their skills. As a result, each quilt became a testament to the maker’s identity and served as an important symbol within the community.

One key aspect that makes quilts so culturally significant is their ability to tell stories and convey messages without words. Many early American settlers who couldn’t read or write used quilts as visual aids to share their experiences and convey important information. They would sew symbols or pictures into their quilts that represented different things such as safe houses on the Underground Railroad or personal family stories.

In certain cultures, like the Amish community, quilting takes on even deeper meaning. Quilt-making is seen not only as a way to practice traditional skills but also as an act of service by making something warm and practical for those in need. Amish women are known for their exquisite craftsmanship, often using intricate geometric designs and bold colors in their work.

In African American communities, quilting has been used as a means of preserving cultural traditions passed down from African ancestors. The art of quilting became a way for enslaved women to express their creativity and maintain a connection to their homeland. Quilts were also used as secret maps or coded messages during the Civil War, and later on as symbols of resistance and liberation during the Civil Rights movement.

Dee’s Fascination with the Quilts

Dee, the main character in Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” is fascinated by her family’s hand-stitched quilts. She sees these quilts as valuable artifacts that represent her cultural heritage and wants to display them in her home as a way of honoring her ancestors. However, for Dee, these quilts hold different meaning than they do for her mother and sister, Maggie.

Dee is portrayed as someone who has lost touch with her roots and embraces superficial versions of African culture. Her interest in the quilts stems from this desire to appear more cultured rather than truly appreciating their significance. She changes her name to the Africanized version “Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo” without understanding the meaning behind it, further emphasizing this disconnect from her heritage.

For Dee, the quilts are objects that she can use to decorate her home and impress others with their exotic aesthetic. This mindset is evident when she admires how the “scraps” of fabric used in a particular quilt have been put together without any real understanding of their historical importance and symbolism.

On the other hand, Dee’s mother and sister view these quilts as practical items that have been lovingly made by hand by their ancestors. They see each piece of fabric used in these quilts as a fragment of their family history that holds priceless sentimental value.

The Conflicting Views between Dee and Her Mother

The tension between Dee’s fascination with the quilts and her mother’s attachment to them lies at the heart of the conflict in the story. Dee sees these quilts as objects that hold value and status, while her mother views them as a connection to her family and heritage.

Despite Dee’s insistence on taking the quilts with her, her mother ultimately gives them to Maggie, who has always appreciated their sentimental value and knows how to put them to practical use. The fact that Dee is unable to understand their true significance is a reflection of how she has become disconnected from her cultural roots.

Dee’s mother represents the older generation who has firsthand experience with making and using these quilts for practical purposes. Maggie embodies the younger generation who is willing to learn from this tradition and continue it in their own unique way.

The Deeper Meaning of Dee’s Desire for the Quilts

Dee’s fascination with the quilts extends beyond just wanting decorative pieces for her home. It reflects a larger issue of cultural appropriation and disconnection among many African Americans during this time period. Dee wants to take something that holds deep cultural meaning for her family and use it to fit into a superficial version of African culture that she believes will make her appear more cultured.

However, Dee fails to realize that true appreciation for one’s culture comes not from material possessions or outward displays but from

The Significance of Quilts in African American Culture

The quilting tradition has a deep-rooted history within African American culture. From the time of slavery, quilts were not only practical items used for warmth and comfort, but they also held significant cultural importance. Through their intricate designs and symbols, quilts served as a way for African Americans to preserve their heritage and pass down stories and traditions to future generations.

In particular, quilts have played a significant role in the lives of African American women. As they were often responsible for making and maintaining household textiles, including quilts, these women used their skills to create masterpieces that not only served a practical purpose but also carried great cultural significance.

During the era of slavery, quilts were one of the few possessions that African Americans were allowed to keep. As such, they became a symbol of resilience and strength in the face of oppression. Many enslaved women used their quilting skills to create secret codes within their quilt designs that could communicate messages about safe houses and escape routes for those seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad.

After the abolition of slavery, quilting remained an integral part of African American culture. It became a way for women to express themselves creatively as well as continue the tradition of preserving cultural heritage through storytelling. The use of colors, patterns, and styles in quilts continued to hold deeper meanings and convey messages about community values, morals, and beliefs.

The Meaning Behind Dee’s Desire for the Quilts

In Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use,” Dee’s request to take her family’s handmade quilts holds great symbolic significance. As she expresses her desire for these heirloom pieces, she reveals her lack of understanding about their true value and meaning within her own family’s history.

Dee’s fascination with taking the quilts stems from her newfound appreciation for her African roots. She adopts a new name and a newfound pride in her heritage, which she believes makes her more culturally enlightened than her family. However, Dee fails to understand that the quilts represent more than just African culture; they represent her family’s unique story and struggles.

Throughout the story, Dee shows no interest in learning about the history behind the quilts or their makers. She sees them as mere decorative items rather than pieces with deep significance. In contrast, her mother and sister have a personal connection to the quilts; they have been passed down through generations and carry memories of their ancestors.

Thus, Dee’s desire for the quilts reflects her shallow understanding of her cultural identity and heritage. Her request is not driven by a genuine appreciation for the family’s legacy but rather by a desire to display these items as exotic artifacts in an effort to prove her own intelligence and sophistication.

The Consequences of Dee Taking the Quilts

In “Everyday Use,” Mama hesitantly agrees to let Dee take the handmade quilts at first, hoping that it would bring them closer together. However, she quickly realizes that giving away these precious heirlooms would mean losing a significant piece of their family history.

Allowing Dee to take the quilts has severe consequences for both Mama and Maggie. The loss of these items means losing a tangible connection to their ancestors and their heritage. In essence, it would mean erasing their identity as African American women with a strong lineage.

Additionally, allowing Dee to claim ownership of the quilts perpetuates a cycle of cultural appropriation. It sends the message that African American culture can be bought or taken without any understanding or respect for its significance.

Moreover, giving away the quilts diminishes Mama’s role as keeper of family traditions and stories. By passing down these heirloom pieces, she has kept alive memories of those who came before them; memories that will be lost if Dee takes the quilts away.

In conclusion, the quilts hold great importance in African American culture and carry deep significance for the characters in “Everyday Use.” Dee’s desire for the quilts reflects her detachment from her family’s history, while Mama and Maggie’s attachment to these pieces represents their strong connection to their roots. Ultimately, the story serves as a reminder that cultural heritage should be preserved and cherished, not used as a commodity.

Q: Why does Dee want the quilts?
A: Dee believes that the quilts represent her African American heritage and she wants them as a symbol of her identity.

Q: Does Dee have sentimental attachment to the quilts?
A: No, Dee does not have any sentimental attachment to the quilts. She sees them as valuable artifacts representing her culture.

Q: What does Mama think of Dee’s desire to have the quilts?
A: Mama is hesitant about giving the quilts to Dee because she knows that Dee plans to display them as decorations rather than use them for their intended purpose – as everyday household items.

Q: What is the conflict between Mama and Dee regarding the quilts?
A: The conflict arises because Mama wants to give the quilts to her younger daughter, Maggie, who will use and appreciate them, while Dee wants them to be displayed as cultural artifacts.

Q: Is it significant that Dee has a new name when she asks for the quilts?
A: Yes, it is significant because it shows that Dee has rejected her given name (Dee) and adopted an African one (Wangero) as a way of claiming her African heritage and distancing herself from her family.

Q: Why does Mama ultimately decide not to give the quilts to Dee?
A: Mama realizes that Maggie will continue using and cherishing the family heirloom quilts, while giving them to Dee would reduce their value to mere decorations. She also sees through Dee’s superficial appreciation for their heritage.

In conclusion, the question of why Dee wants the quilts in Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use” highlights the complicated nature of personal and cultural heritage. Through Dee’s desire to display the quilts as objects of art rather than practical items for everyday use, she shows a lack of understanding and appreciation for her own history and identity. This desire is fueled by her desire to conform to societal standards and reject her rural Southern roots in favor of a more modern and cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Through Mama’s perspective, we see that the quilts hold more than just monetary value; they represent a connection to their African heritage and the stories of their ancestors. Mama’s refusal to give Dee the quilts symbolizes her assertion that true appreciation for cultural heritage goes beyond collecting physical objects.

We also see how Dee’s sister, Maggie, represents a different perspective on heritage. While she may not have the same ambition or education as Dee, she has an intimate understanding and connection with their family history through learning how to quilt from their maternal grandmother. Through this, Maggie showcases that authentic understanding and appreciation for one’s heritage does not necessarily come from material possessions or societal expectations.

Thus, beyond just being about quilts, “Everyday Use” raises larger questions about the importance of understanding one

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.

Uncovering Dee’s Obsession: The Truth Behind Her Desire for the Quilts