Mama's Simple Life

The thing that first caught my attention while reading “Everyday Use,” was the story’s narration by Mama. Through Mama’s eyes, the reader forms distinctions between the life Mama and Maggie lead, versus the life Dee makes for herself. Because “Everyday Use” is told in the first person, all we know about Mama’s two daughters is what she tells us. Directly after reading the short story, I felt a sense of sympathy. However, this feeling of commiseration was not directed towards the narrator or Maggie; rather, I found myself pitying Dee. Dee, the narrator’s self-righteous daughter, looks at her humble roots as something she is completely disconnected from.

The only perspective the reader gets of Dee is that of her mother’s. When Dee arrives, she is described by Mama as having an almost overwhelming appearance. Her bright clothing and gaudy jewelry are things that Mama and Maggie will never be accustomed to (20). The thing that I liked most about the description of Dee is that it is full of subtle messages. Mama never comes out and says exactly how she feels; rather, she simply observes the behavior of her daughter, giving the reader a play-by-play of Dee’s visit.

Although Mama never calls Dee an outsider, she says certain things to inform the reader that Dee—or Wangero as she now prefers—leads a radically different life and displays a sort of arrogance towards her old one. Mama conveys Dee’s embarrassment of her family’s humble abode when she says, “She wrote me once that no matter where we ‘choose’ to live, she will manage to come see us. But she will never bring her friends” (14). It is almost as if every aspect of Dee that is described is loaded with ways to expose her condescending nature.

If indeed Mama makes all these descriptions with her own hidden messages, why does the reader believe her? After all, when telling a story in the first person, it is impossible for the narrator to have no bias whatsoever. But we do not have this problem with Mama. In the beginning of the story, when she is describing her simple small-town life, we develop a sense of trust with Mama. Mama tells it like it is. At first, when the reader is unfamiliar with Mama and her lifestyle, she expresses her far-fetched dream-life. She dreams to be on television, to have a dramatic reunion with her daughter, and to shake the hand of Johnny Carson. But before Mama lets the reader get carried away with this fantasy, she stops herself, “In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man” (5). Mama’s non-idealized description of herself puts the reader in her confidence. Furthermore, after explaining her dream, she even goes as far to say that it is completely implausible.

While I was reading the story, I found myself becoming increasingly affectionate towards Mama’s warm character, regardless of the fact that she does not lead a perfect life. She cares immensely for both of her daughters, and even tries to comply with Dee’s wishes. With the exception of the quilts, Mama agrees to give Dee the other trinkets she picks up while at the house. She even tries to call Dee by her new preferred name, despite the fact that she cannot pronounce it. However, the thing that made me like Mama the most was when she refused to give up Grandma Dee’s quilts. Whether it was because Mama thought Dee would have no true appreciation for the quilts, or because she simply did not want to part with them, her action was brave. For once, the submissive Maggie was able to have her way.

The story ends with Dee, once again, leaving her old life behind. She even tells her mother that she and Maggie, too, can create new identities for themselves, “‘You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But the way you and Mama still live you’d never know it” (80). Instead of being hurt by Dee’s statement, Mama and Maggie disregard what she has said, and they enjoy every moment they spend with each other (722).