The characters in Alice Walker's “Everyday Use” serve as a comparison of how family heritage and traditions are viewed. Walker illustrates that heritage is not represented by owning objects or their appearance, but by purchasing how they are used, what one's attitude is like, and how one leads a daily lifestyle. Each memory or tradition in “Everyday Use” reinforces the separation in the relationship between Dee and her mother, the narrator, which implies different views on their family legacy. Johnson, the mother, is described as “a large, bony woman with rough, manly hands” (6). He recounts some of his abilities, including: “I can kill and clean a pig as mercilessly as a man. . .I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water to wash myself; I can eat pork liver cooked on the stove a few minutes after it comes steaming out of the pig” (6). This description informs readers that Mrs. Johnson has learned all the ways and traditions of her ancestors and knows how to survive day after day. Her and Maggie's life in the small house represents a simple, unsophisticated lifestyle. Dee, on the other hand, is described as "[light-skinned], with nicer hair and a fuller figure" who "wanted nice things" and "had a style of her own" (7). The clothes Dee wears and the phrases she uses to greet her mother and sister show that she has no real understanding of her background and origins. This shows that Dee is materialistic, complex and leads a life where cultural heritage is considered a trend and not what she actually represents. Although neither Maggie nor Mrs. Johnson are highly educated, they show an understanding of where they come from. Mrs. Johnson and the community raised money to send Dee to a school... middle of paper... because she had "saved them long enough without anyone using them" (12). After Dee understands the situation, she leaves the house and tells her mother “You just don't understand. . .Your legacy. . .” (13). In fact, Dee is the one who doesn't understand. For Dee, cultural heritage is as tangible as hanging the quilt on the wall or using the churn as a table decoration. His mother, on the other hand, knows about traditions and heritage. By using the quilts one could put the memories of their ancestors into everyday use. “Everyday Use” shows readers that heritage and culture doesn't mean speaking in a foreign language, wearing different clothes, or changing your name. One's heritage and culture are taught and learned across generations, not just collected. Walker illustrates that a person who truly possesses heritage and culture uses it every day of their life.