"Everyday Use"

In the story “Everyday Use," by Alice Walker there are many different concepts of psychoanalytic theory in character Maggie, Dee, and Mama, who happens to be the narrator. We discovered how their characterization and childhood experiences molded who they are now. We also see how they interact with each other and how that as well has to do with things that have happened in the past, and how these events still affect them now. As human we all have concepts of psychoanalytic theory in our lives.

In the fifth paragraph mama talks about herself, and by doing this we can tell that she has a sense, of low self esteem. She states “I am a large big boned Woman with rough, man working hands” (Walker.) A person with high self esteem would describe their self with positive words and characteristics. Although she might be telling the truth about her appearance, there are different ways to describe you without lowering yourself, and that’s what mama did here.

Dee is very interesting character. The concept that I think suits her best is avoidance. This family has been through a lot in the past, and the way Dee copes with it is by avoiding it and trying to leave things in the past, because she is ashamed of her family. For instance in the story it talks about how she changed her name. She quotes “I couldn’t bear it any longer, bring named after people who oppress me” (Walker.) This was a name that had been pasted on for generation but that did not matter much to her.