. . .who?
Mama has a difficult decision to make in Alice Walker's short story, "Everyday Use for your Grandmama." She finds herself in the position of a mediator between Dee and Maggie. She is amidst two different worlds and must choose the daughter who will receive the family heirloom.
So, based on the evidence in the story, who should have the quilt? Assume a fictitious role as someone who knows the situation regarding the controversy over the quilt. Create a persuasive argument stating your opinion as to which sister should have been given the quilt. Make sure you construct a clear argument on behalf of one of the sisters, and you may also be creative in your perspective in relation to the story. Be sure to include plenty of evidence to support your position.
We can pretend we are a panel of judges presiding over the "Case of the Family Quilt." When you present your argument, be sure to address at least one other argument made by a classmate to either agree with or refute. Meeting adjourned.
Ellen Goodman
22 comments:
Did we read this story in class on Friday? I'm unfamiliar with what you are asking us to respond to.
rugbynbailey@aol.com
I believe that Maggie should definitely get the quilt. I should have the final say in who gets the quilt anyway, since my sister and I made the quilt with our mama. Dee, or Wangero as she wants to be called now, just waltzes in just taking things like she has a right to them. She can't even have any respect for a name that has been passed down for generations, so why would she have any respect for our precious quilts? Maggie, on the other hand, has been through a lot, but has never once hated her roots, family, or background. Maggie does not have anything compared to all the luxuries that Dee has gone on to recieve. It is beyond unfair for Maggie, the sweetest niece I have, to be denied one of the only things that she has been promised. Dee isn't deserving of those quilts because she doesn't even have the love needed to care for anything but herself. When their old house burned down, Dee saw her sister in there and did nothing. She thought she was too good to be from such a crappy house, so she probably burned it down herself, who knows? But to see her do nothing at all while her sister was in that burning house, shows how heartless and undeserving she is. Also, I can't even put in words of how selfless, caring and giving Maggie is, everything her sister isn't. She was willing to give up her wedding gift, those quilts, to her sister. Maggie surely understood that those quilts mean a lot to our family and she would treasure those quilts like her own children. Dee on the other hand, thinks she knows what heritage is, saying that everyone else doesn't know what it is. She never appreciated our family when she was growing up. She hated all her uncles and aunts because she just thought she was better than all of us. Who does she thinks she is, just coming up in the house and just asking and taking. She just takes, takes, and takes, but never thinks about anyone but herself. There shouldn't even be a doubt in my sister's mind who to give our beloved quilts to.--Big Dee
kristie.varghese@gmail.com
Maggie clearly deserves the quilts that the mom owns. Wangero, the former Dee, has absolutely no rights to them. First she hated every part about her past and wanted nothing to do with it. Mangero watched her old house go up in flames without shedding a single tear. She took in everything she could get out of that destruction of their family history. In fact, she was so lost in her emotions about that house going down that she could even help out her own sister who got severely burned from the fire. That burn extended past her arms and hair into mind. It is almost as if those wide eyes gave a pathway into her directly.
Mangero was more fortunate in life because she never had to experience the pain of the fire. Instead, she got sent to a school away from home to expand her knowledge and capabilities. Then when she came home she displayed her newly acquired knowledge in such a fashion where it is just to show off and to put herself on a pedistal. Mangero is a strong woman and can go far as she desires. However, Maggie is limited to basic reading and writing, and agricultural skills. She stayed with her family because she values it and spends time with it. Maggie learned to make quilts by spending time with her aunt Dee and Grandmother Dee.
Mangero does not even want to share the same name as people from her past. She rejected her heritage and substituted with what she felt was appropriate. When she was offered a quilt by her mother it was declined for being out of style. In her arguement the says she wants the quilt because it is "priceless." Her real intentions must be that she wants to sell it for money. It can be told because she has a rich husband which means she obviously fances wealth like any ordinary human being and she is manipulative. She asking for the quilts she acts kind and talks appealingly. When she is denied, she goes into a fit of angry. The true owner is Maggie. The true family legacy will live on through Maggie.
Email: Nicocoup@msn.com
Based on the evidence in the story, Maggie should have received the quilt. Maggie is the considerate, thoughtful sister whereas Dee is rude and selfish. Maggie has always been in the shadow of her sister's spotlight but never has complained about it. Dee is more attractive than Maggie and is also far more educated. Dee does not respect her mother and sister and takes whatever she wants, without even asking, like the churn top. Dee says that Maggie won't appreciate the quilt because she will use it. She also tells Mama that she doesn't understand her heritage but understanding heritage does not mean preserving it, it means cherishing it which can be shown through using such valuable things like the quilt.
( I did not comment on another person's comment because I was the first one to start commenting but had to leave and come back and then was unable to see others' comments.)
*Like Nick said, Dee hated her past and constantly avoided her family. The only reason she mentioned heritage was because she wanted an excuse for her greediness and selfishness. She does not even consider that her selfishness takes away from the bare minimum that her sister has.
It is very obvious that Maggie should get the quilts. The only reason Dee wants the quilt is for a superficial reason, to hang it up for display. The quilts hold sentimental value to Maggie. Her aunt and grandmother made those quilts by hand, and it was them who taught Maggie how to sew.
It seems as if Dee visited her family only to retrieve things that she saw as hers. Even though she asked her mom if she could have them, she sought them out as if they were already hers. Everything in life came easy to Dee, so she thought the quilts would be another prize.
Dee complained to her mom that they do not understand their heritage, but Dee lost her heritage when she began to acquire her superiority complex. Dee does not see herself as part of her family, she looks down on them and who they are. Dee is the one who does not know her heritage and has no right to have the quilts.
In my eyes I do believe that Maggie is the only one that deserves to keep the family heirloom. She has actually has sentamental values attached to the quilt. Ashley is right when she states that all Dee is there for is to look around and claim things for herself. It seems like Dee does not genuinely care about the quilt simply for the reason that she has no emotional attachment to them. Maggie does have feelings attached to the quilts. This is because she was taught by her aunt and grandmother on how to make the quilts by hand. This occurance makes the quilts worth even more to her than they already do. Dee gives me the impression that she wants everything to be hers and noone elses. All she wanted the quilt for was to hang them up. But for what reason? So they can sit on the wall collecting dust? Dee was being really gready on her wanting the quilts that when the quilts were given to Maggie she just left the house. This shows that all she wanted was the right to claim that the quilts were hers and not Maggie's.
ecanancy@hotmail.com
Maggie and Dee are very different from each other. They both have different outlooks on the world, and personalities. When reading about the two sisters, I believe that Maggie deserves to have the quilt, because she really appreciates her grandma. You can tell that Maggie cares deeply about her grandma because when Mama was having the controversy about who should have the quilt, Maggie lets Dee have it because she does not need a quilt to cherish the moments she had with her grandma. Another reason is because Mama already asked Dee before she went of to school if she wants the quilts and she says they are old fashion. If she truly appreciated the quilts she should have taken the opportunity to take them while she can. Also Dee seems very high maintenance because she is very materialistic especially since her ex boyfriend flew away to marry a different girl. Also because she wants nice things, like a nicer house, and clothes. She tries to keep up an image, especially when it comes to family and her house when she won’t bring any of her friends over. Dee is the type of girl who thinks she is better than everyone and just wants to be selfish and have everything belong to her. Dee’s personality makes me think that she will not appreciate the quilts as much as Maggie will. The quilt in Dee’s arms is just a piece of fabric, and for Maggie the quilt is a piece of her grandma. I strongly agree with Kristie because what she said is true. If Dee cannot appreciate her name passed down to her how can she appreciate the quilts? Dee disliked her family, and wanted everything a certain way. Someone who acts like that does not deserve to have such a precious item, therefore Maggie should receive the quilt from her grandmother.
biancasanabria13@hotmail.com
In Dicie’s opinion….
The fact that my quilts are sought after by both children makes me feel proud and special. Although Dee, or Wangero, as she is called now, is no longer proud of her given name or former self and has rejected both, I respect her decision. The Lord has always smiled upon Dee somehow; she’s the beautiful swan compared to her ugly duckling sister, Maggie. I agree with Kristie that “Dee just waltzes in just taking things like she has a right to them…she just takes, takes, and takes, but never thinks about anyone but herself.” There’s often someone in every household who behaves in a similar fashion, since the world is divided between givers and takers. Their poor mama is reminded time and time again, “that ‘no’ is a word the world never learned to say to her.” Poor Maggie is still waiting the day when the world offers her just one ‘yes.’
Dee has always said what she needed to say in order to get her way, like the time she pinned that orchid on mama’s dress with a big smile, even though she hated that flower. Dreams do speak the truth! Later on, Dee professes admiration for the benches her dad made and the butter churn, but again, Dee gives great lip service when she has an ulterior motive. Maggie, however, cares about the history behind these items. Dee has always been concerned about impressions, which is why she didn’t care when the house burned down. The house was old, worn and “dingy;” Dee likes new, modern and tidy surroundings, such as her stylish graduation gown. That Dee always did like to make an entrance! Mama and Maggie never fit into that mold. Maybe Jimmy T. had the right idea in getting as far away from Dee as possible. Dee’s latest companion, Asalamalakim, however, fits in with Dee’s aspirations. He has a refined diet and newfangled ideas.
As for the quilt, today is the day mama chose to give Maggie that much needed ‘yes.’ Yes, you do fit in somewhere; yes, you are a valuable member of this family; yes, you are an important part of our life; yes, you are deserving of a tangible reminder of our affection. As Rachel said, “understanding heritage does not mean preserving it, it means cherishing it which can be shown through using such valuable things like the quilt.” Many people stockpile their possessions on a shelf or in a closet as objects to be revered, but not utilized. In order to be appreciated regularly, these items must be used regularly. The intangible must be made tangible. Maggie helped painstakingly craft the artwork; Dee did not have any interest or patience for quilting. Nevertheless, Dee wants another trophy to add to her collection that she can remake and point to her great accomplishment. Maggie is even willing to relinquish the quilts to her sister, much like the real mother in the Bible who is willing to relinquish her child to another woman in order to save him from harm. I must say, I was so proud of mama for finally saying “yes” to Maggie and giving the quilts to her everyday daughter.
e.e.butler@comcast.net
It is obvious that Maggie should receive the quilt. She was the only one between her and Dee that was never ashamed of her roots. Dee acts in an extremely superficial way towards her family and does not even have any sort of attatchment to the quilt, unlike Maggie. Magge has a very close attachment to the quilt because she was taught by her grandma and mom on how to make the quilts. If Dee gets it then all she will do is hang it up and allow it to assimilate into the rest of her house even though it is an extremely important family heirloom. If Maggie receives the quilt then she will actually treasure it and appreciate it's worth. Dee never appreciated where she came from and was happy about the fact that their old house burnt down. Even though Maggie was never as smart or beautiful ( on the outside) as Dee, she was never selfish or thought of herself as higher than anyone else. For this reason Maggie should get the quilt over Dee.
After reading the story entitled, “Everyday Use for your Grandmama”, I have formulated an opinion about who should get the quilt. In my opinion Maggie deserves the quilt. In the story Maggie is a shy, respectful person that never really had the life that she dreamed of. At a young age, her house burned down while she was inside it, and as a result she has many scars that she is scared to people. On the other hand, Dee, or Wangero, has literally had everything handed to her. In the short story it states, “She thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of her hand, that ‘no’ is a word the world never learned to say to her.” Because of the easy life that Dee has had, she never really appreciated the things her mother has done for her. In fact, she did not want the quilt in the first place because it did not match her personal style. In the text it states, “I didn’t want to bring up how I had offered Dee (Wangero) a quilt when she went away to college. Then she had told me they were old fashioned, out of style.” Dee is a very shallow person who only cares about herself. If something does not make her happy, then it must be destroyed. Dee doesn’t see how her selfishness destroys her sister. In the fight for the quilt, Dee acts as if Maggie is incompetent. The text states, “‘Maggie can’t appreciate these quilts!’ she said. ‘She’d probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use.’” What Dee fails to realize is that Maggie actually spent time making the quilts which completely contradicts the statement made above. Dee’s shallowness makes her ineligible to receive the quilts.
I completely agree with Lizzy’s statement. She states and I quote, “Nevertheless, Dee wants another trophy to add to her collection that she can remake and point to her great accomplishment.” Dee does not care about the history and the meaning of the quilt. She just wants it to prove to other people that has history, elegance, and class. All her life, Dee has tried to show everybody that she is better than them. She was even happy the house burned down because she would not have to show her friends what kind of mess it was. Maggie deserves the quilts because of her character and her appreciation towards life-something that Dee does not possess.
Looking down upon my family I've noted some problems between them. Presently, between one of my two daughters and her two girls: Maggie and Dee. It pains me to see them fight so over some simple old tops I put together. I was elated to see that my two girls had made some blankets out of them, for then they could be put to use by my family.
However, I can see that this is not what little Dee has in mind. She will not put them to use, and though I appreciate her valuing the things, I'd much rather little Maggie put the quilts to good use and keep herself warm at night.
I believe both of my granddaughters are deserving of the quilt. I disagree with Ashley when she said "Dee wants the quilts for a superficial reason, to hang it up for display. The quilts hold sentimental value to Maggie," because Dee specifically says that the quilts are extremely special because of the ties they hold to her family. She clearly values them very much. And my dear Maggie! Well, there's really no way to know whether or not she values them in this way. But it is my job as a grandmother - dead or alive, to see to it that both girls are treated fairly and that they are kept warm at night. If those blankets will help Maggie in this way, then she should have them, hands down.
emmasharon94@yahoo.com
I agree with Kristie that Maggie should receive the quilt. It seems like Dee has received everything she has wanted throughout her life. She got her education and life was easy for her. Maggie on the other hand is less fortunate. She was burned in a fire. She is not as smart as Dee. She does not have the good looks and is not used to getting anything. Maggie acts as if she deserves everything. She is not proud of the way her family lives and felt that she deserved better. Later on in life, Dee has decided to get a better understanding of her heritage. She wants the quilts because she thinks only she can appreciate their value. I feel that Maggie deserves the quilts because she has not lived as good a life as Dee. She smiled after receiving the quilts. Maggie has not had a lot to smile about through her life and since the quilts brought her happiness, she deserved them.
I agree with Mama that Maggie should get the quilt. Not only is she more family oriented, but she also cares for the item more than Dee ever would. Dee wants the quilts to hang and use as a decorative piece for where ever she may live. As for Maggie, these quilts would be used practically daily. She understands her grandmother put all of her work into this hand stitched quilt and even if it is used daily she knows that is something that would have put a smile on her grandmother's face. Maggie states that she does not need the quilt to remember her grandma, but her mother says it was a special bond they had because Grandma taught Maggie how to quilt.
I agree with Nick when he says that Wangero (Dee) Dee had no care for her family or their heritage and has no sympathy for her family and their history. When the house burnt down, Mama has wanted to ask Dee, "Why don't you dance around the ashes? .... "She had hated the house that much" She shows not an ounce of care or sympathy to her mother and sister. So I think her coming back and merely asking for things to keep is even more disrespectful than not coming back at all. In my opinion, Dee does not deserve anything that the family owns.
syd1194@aol.com
I agree with Abijah,and Kristie I feel that Maggie should receive the quilt. Maggie throughout her whole life has felt as if she was not good enough for her mother. While on the other hand her sister is the perfect child who got everything she wanted. Maggie may have many flaws but she is more deserving of the quilt, she learned from her family how to make them and appreciates the quilts.
Dee just doesn't seem like a child deserving of anything. Her attitude,her whole persona is just unpleasant. In conclusion Maggie should get the quilt she seems like she needs it more than Dee, and she also seems like she would cherish it way more.
I agree with with most of the people in the class such as Efe that Maggie deserves the quilt. Even though I wasn't in class on Friday through what I've read Maggie is definetly more deserving of the quilt. She is a genuinely nice person, and is kind hearted and shy unlike her sister. Dee is not nice like Maggie so I don't feel she deserves the quilt. Just because she is prettier and more educated then Maggie doesn't give her the right to think she deserves anything more then Maggie. Just for her attitude I believe she shouldn't get the quilt. Also like Sydney said Maggie states that she does not need the quilt to remember her grandma, but her mother says it was a special bond between the grandma and maggie, because the grandma taught Maggie how to sew. This shows Maggie also has a connection to the quilt which is why I feel she deserves it.
I think that Maggie rightfully should inherit the quilt. From my perspective Maggie is one of those people who is always given "the short end of the stick" and this time I think she should have the quilt. I can tell that the bond she has with her grandmother is stronger than the bond that Dee has with their grandmother. Like many others said Dee is one of those spoiled, bratty children that always gets their way. I think that just for that reason alone Maggie should have it. Why should one child recieve special recognition while the other is left out. That isn't right and Maggie has every right to be included especially since she has a friendlier character. I know that if I had to choose I would pick the child that is best suited by their character and that would be Maggie in this case. Someone who may not necessarily be as good looking on the outside but much better looking on the inside. It just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover.
I believe that Maggie should get the quilt. She should get it because like what Ashley said, it means something to her, unlike Dee who only wants it for selfish and superficial reasons. That quilt represents family, but Dee does not care about her family because she thinks that she is too good for them. Dee has gotten everything in life the easy way. Almost everything she has was not earned, but given. This quilt should not be another item that she recieves just because. It should actually mean something to her like it does Maggie.
Both of my daughters are quite different from each other. One is a spoiled brat, while the other knows what it means to work and strive for things. I mean don't get me wrong I love both of them. But when it comes down to it, Maggie deserves this quilt because this quilt means something to her, and I am confident that she will pass this down to her most deserving daughter in hope that they too will pass down this quilt signifying what this family is and stands for.
As most of my classmates said, I also agree that Maggie should be the daughter that deserves the quilt. Dee is self-centered, and what Dapo said, she only wants it for superficial reasons. Because Dee has never had someone say the word "no" to her, she feels that she is going to the get the quilt that has been passed down by her grandmas. Although Maggie said she doesn't need the quilt to remind her of Grandma Dee, she still deserves it. It shows that Maggie is the more mature one in this situation rather than Dee. I also agree with Austyn on how it seems that Maggie would cherish the quilt more than Dee. Dee said she would just frame it! It seems as if she doesn't even fully understand the meaning of the quilt. The quilt resembles family unity. If she understood the meaning of family, she would realize that she is actually so much more fortunate than Maggie and that she deserves it.
sabrina.tan@verizon.net
I agree with nearly everyone else when saying Maggie is the daughter who deserves to have the quilt. Dee is the type of person who has everything given to her on a golden platter whenever she asks for it regardless of what it is. Whereas Maggie is the complete opposite as she doesn't ask for much and she is used to not being given such objects of fascination. Although Dee says that Maggie will take the quilt and wreck it while she will take it and frame it on the wall. I believe this is nonsense since Dee doesn't even comprehend what the quilt even means to the family. Dee seems to want to escape from any trace of the family all together.
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