Curated set · answers marked
In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," why does Mama ultimately decide to give the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee (Wangero)?
AMaggie had previously committed the quilts to a museum for preservation.
BMama realizes that Maggie will genuinely use and appreciate the quilts as functional items that connect to their heritage, while Dee only wants to display them as artifacts.✓
CDee already has enough quilts from a previous visit.
DThe quilts were specifically sewn by Maggie, so they belong to her.
Rationale
Mama has a realization that Maggie, who knows how to quilt and intends to use the quilts in her daily life, truly understands and honors the family's heritage in a meaningful way. Dee's wish to hang them on the wall as decorative art shows a superficial, appropriated sense of cultural identity — the central theme of the story.
In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," why does Mama ultimately choose to give the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee (Wangero)?
AMaggie is older and has a stronger legal claim to the family heirlooms.
BDee had shown no previous interest in the quilts.
CMama understands that Maggie will appreciate and use the quilts as part of their living family tradition, while Dee views them merely as art to be displayed.
DThe quilts were specifically designated for Maggie in their grandmother's will.
In Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use," why does Mama ultimately choose to give the quilts to Maggie instead of Dee (Wangero)?
AMaggie has already promised the quilts to a museum for preservation.
BMama realizes that Maggie will truly use and value the quilts as part of the family's living heritage, while Dee plans to display them as decorative pieces.✓
CDee has enough quilts from a previous visit home.
DMaggie threatens to leave home if she does not get the quilts.
Rationale
Mama experiences a moment of clarity and takes the quilts away from Dee, deciding to give them to Maggie instead. Dee sees the quilts as cultural artifacts to display, while Maggie—who learned the art of quilting from Grandma Dee and Big Dee—would actually use them in her daily life, reflecting the genuine, living essence of heritage.