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Everyday Use
Ahmya Ash
Advanced Composition 213
Professor Ruby Lewis
October 29, 2020
“Everyday Use”
In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” Dee (Wangero) Johnson neglects her real heritage and adapts a new one, while belittling her family who lack education. Dee remains unevolved throughout time no matter her changes in beliefs. Although Dee achieves her goals by overcoming her circumstances such as poverty and racial discrimination, she is not admirable for her achievements or courage. She is selfish and self-centered, and remains unchanged from her childhood to now after several years. According to her mother’s depiction, she is stylish and good-looking. Dee has been requesting “nice things”, for instance classy matching outfits already ever since her teenage and has been mindful of the influence rendered by looks: “At sixteen she had a style of her own: and knew what style was” (Walker 451). When she was younger her family’s house burnt to ashes scarring her sister and leaving her family to start over again. Her mother “Mama” believes Dee watched the house burn in awe and that she should have done a dance around the ashes. Dee’s disregards empathy for her sister’s tragic experience, and lack of gratitude for the money raised for her education, gives insight to how self- centered she is (Alice, 451). Additionally, Dee continuously gravitating towards nicer more luxury items. Her desire for quilts indicates her static behavior. Dee usually parades around with flashy attire, making her a target to envy by her friends and family.
Dee’s relationship with her family first became estranged after she left for school in Augusta: “After second grade the school was closed down. Don’t ask me why: in 1927 colored asked fewer questions than they do now.” Dee is the only one in her family that has the privilege of higher education. Mama and her sister “Maggie” did all that they could to raise money at the church to send her to college. Doing so, Mama noticed the first time Dee showed any sort of affection towards Maggie, which gives you context into Dee’s selfishness: “She thinks her sister has held life always in the palm of one hand, that “no” is a word the world never learned to say to her.” Maggie, who is very timid, often gets anxious and nervous around her sister. Dee is exceptionally beautiful compared to Maggie, which does not aid in closing the animosity between sisters. While at school Dee was exposed to a life outside of rural and farm like living. She surrounds herself with individuals who are “woke” or actively seeking knowledge about their ancestry (Alice, 453). Indulging herself in the Black Consciousness Movement, she adopts a new-found persona or “heritage.” She does not have the best understanding of African culture. While on this journey she simultaneously neglects her own roots. Dee is all self-confidence; she recognizes her robust sides, for example overall scholarship and brightness. As a result, she is determined to attain success; and recognizing it is in her power, she would not turn back before anyone: “She would always look anyone in the eye. Hesitation was no part of her nature. […] She was determined to stare down any disaster in her efforts” (Walker 450).
During the Black Consciousness Movement, Dee acquired a new Afrocentric identity. Dee’s persona becomes loud, garish, and judgmental. She operates under the guise of “Black Pride” and a “pre-slavery identity” which is popular amongst many black college students of the 1960’s. Dee’s colorful attire and preference to be called “Wangero” seems forced and without nuance. Her appreciation of “everyday” objects, like the butter churn and quilts lies not in their practical usage, -but in the history of the objects. She seeks to reclaim these artifacts rather than use them in everyday life, which does not sit well with Mama. Dee challenges people including activists, separatists, or anyone else who disregards or rejects her version of Black legacy. The individuals who indulge themselves in the Black Consciousness Movement have a romanticized view of Africa. They do not embrace the cruel reality of what it is to be Black in America. Much less embrace the strength it takes African Americans to persevere in such circumstances. Dee has a theoretical domain of a belief system. This system stands out completely from the natural, and physical, work concentrated way of life Mama and Maggie are used to.
Dee’s distorted perception of her heritage stems from her not wanting to be connected to slavery. It is evident that Dee is more into displaying her new-found beliefs as a way to make herself feel more empowered in her life. Rather than embracing her history in a way that represents and expresses her ancestor’s trials and tribulations. Dee chooses to showcase parts of her life that look good. She picks and chooses that parts of her heritage that she wants to acknowledge and disregards the ones that don’t serve her image. She skips over the pain of the past and only shows a highlighted reel. Quite the opposite, Mama and Maggie have embraced all parts of the life they have built. Dee is fascinated by their rural authenticity, snapping photos while she visits them like they are on display at a museum. In doing so, Dee viably disrespects and cuts herself off from her family. Rather than respecting and grasping her authentic roots, Dee looks down on her family’s poverty. She believes herself to be above them.
Dee (Wangero) lives in her own world as she tries to find her new identity within African cultures. She has rejected her real and known heritage in favor of a constructed one. Dee does not think her sister and mother understand the value in their family’s artifacts. She has the vein idea that her ancestors’ belongings should be preserved. Being detached from the objects themselves she believes they should be preserved and admired later. Mama and Maggie have a personal bond to their family’s belongings. They have cherished the relationships with those who had them before. For Mama and Maggie using the possessions like the hand-stitched quilts, it is a way to keep the memory alive of those who made them. Due to Dee’s superficial nature she rather possesses items of her grandmother to show off to her peers. Which is ironic because at the same time she denounces her name which was also her grandmothers’. Dee is so determined to detach herself from her actual heritage; she ultimately loses herself in a fictional identity.
Works Cited
Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” Reading Literature and Writing Argument. 3rd ed. Eds. Missy James and Alan P. Merickel. Pearson, 2007 449–455
Radhi, Shaimaa Hadi. “Aesthetic Image of the Animal Epithet in Alice Walker’s Short Story” Everyday Use” Advances in Language and Literary Studies 8.5 (2017): 120-127.
Bell, Judith. “Like Mother, Like Daughter: Parental Expectations in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”.” 4 Kevin Ung, Director of McNair Scholar’s Program Introduction 5 Sara Baker, TRIO Logistics Manager & Coach Note from the Editor: 6.
Discuss the Theme of hospitality in Odysseus’ visit to the Phoenicians.
Topic 3: Discuss the Theme of hospitality in Odysseus’ visit to the Phoenicians.
Cheree Jenkins
Professor L. Rosenkranz
ENGL 2332 World Literature
June 26, 2022
The Theme of Hhospitality in Odysseus’ Visit to the Phoenicians
The poem, The Odyssey, was initially composed in Homeric Greek by Homer. It was then translated and edited by Ian Johnson, who published it in 2019. The tTheme of hospitality is extensively depicted in this poem. The protagonist Odysseus is known by the creatures and leaders in his journey back to Ithaka through the multiple island encounters. The warm welcome encounter determines the hospitality that forms the Greek culture’s important nature. Odysseus encounters several individuals who treat him with varying respect levels throughout his journey. People portray guests in different ways as hosts creating a mutual relationship and bonds which (that) get considered by the society’s morals. However, there exist instances where the host exposes the unwelcoming character to the visitor or the guest. Notably, the level of hospitality gets determined by the host and the gust (Spelling) in Odyssey. (The Odyssey). Therefore, Odysseus encounters a different recurring level of hospitality on his journey and after reaching his home at Ithaka, which provides the ethical morality of the characters and their relationships with gods.
The thesis statement is not complete. It should provide the 3 ways/reasons the main idea will be explained throughout the paper.
Hospitality gets depicted when Odysseus is treated with dignity by the daughter of King Alcinous, who directs him to the palace for the presentation in front of the King. Alcinous directed (directs = Verb Tense) Pontonous to prepare the wine saying, “Pontonous, prepare wine in the mixing bowl,/then serve it to all people in the hall, so/ we may pour libations out to Zeus” (7.25-28.39). The quote is not on lines 25-28 or on page number 39. For more information, rlease review the assignment handout.) Alcinous’s directive corresponds to his kindness and rational nature as a ruler who welcomes the stranger by appeasing the gods. Welcoming Odysseus depicts the King’s hospitality by welcoming the guest warmly with wine and good reception. Also, the King’s wishes continue to posit morality with gods, especially Zeus. The fear of Zeus prevents the occurrence of calamities by pouring libations. Consequently, Phaeacians hosting Odysseus during his washing off (on) a shore near the town depicts a great example of hospitality. Odysseus had met Princess Nausicäa, who offered him food without regarding the threat of a stranger that had become the rumored subject. (When writing about literature, try to keep verbs in the present tense, especially when discussing the plot or in summarizing.) After helping him with food, the princess helps Odysseus reach the city of Scheria. Also, the King and the Queen gave Odysseus lodging for rest, food, and entertainment, hence considering part of hospitality as a sacred duty to gods. After revealing his name to the community of the Phaeacians, the community granted (The use of this last word is confusing.) him to Ithaca, where he was left on the shore with various precious gifts, depicting the ultimate hospitality. action. Later, Odysseus spoke a thanksgiving word by appreciating the Queen, “O you divine queen,/I come here as a suppliant to you./Are you a goddess or a mortal being?” (6.4-6.35). This last quote does not appear in Book 6, Lines 4-6, page 35.) The word describes the thanksgiving granted to the queen through the in-depth description and good deeds which (that) created happiness for Odysseus.
The negative side of hospitality is depicted against the Phaeacians’ will when Odysseus encounters Cyclops. (Actually, Odysseus’ encounters with Cyclops are not part of his stay with the Phaeacians.) Cyclops acts as a representation of the extreme nature of bad hospitality towards a guest. It is important, according to the customs of the Greeks, that visitors should be asked about their identity after getting (being = Word Choice) granted their physical needs. The Phaeacians depict the post-identity mechanism when treating Odysseus with due respect through the provision of food, entertainment, and a place of sleep. However, Cyclops identifies the Greek visitor as a stranger. Before meeting Cyclopes, Odysseus pointed to his men, (The following quoted words make up a block quote, which should be introduced with a colon and then indented 10 spaces from the left margin. Since the quote is dialogue, the quotation marks should remain; however, if it were not dialogue, then the quotation marks should be omitted.) “‘my loyal comrades,/stay here where you are/I’ll take my ship and my own company and try to find out who those people are and learn if they are rough and violent/ with no sense of law, or kind to strangers” (9.3-6.53). (The quote does not appear in lines 3-6 or on page number 53.) Also, they ask with due disrespect for the identification of an individual visitor, the origin of Odysseus, in the process; Odysseus was begging (begs = Verb Tense) the Cyclops on their need to respect gods and the hospitality customs. The Cyclopes answered, (In the following quote, slash marks should be provided to separate the lines. For more information, review the rules and examples on Pages 4 – 5 of the assignment handout.) “We Cyclops never blink at Zeus, and Zeus’s shield of storm and thunder or any other blessed gods.-We’ve got more force by far” (9.6.52). (The line and page numbers are not correct.) Lack of hospitality continues to characterize the life of Cyclops when they fail to provide the meals to the strangers. In addition, Cyclopes ate the visitor raw by snatching two of the male (males? men?) from Odysseus’ men. Moreover, Odysseus had asked for the visitor’s gift but received a terrifying answer. The answer depicts that he would eat Odysseus last.
Body Paragraph #2 above should relate to Odysseus’ visit with the Phaeacians – not Cyclops.
Suitors continue to represent the immoral; behavior of guest that lacks hospitality. As described by Telemachus, the suitors had infested their palace night and day, buttered the livestock sheep and goats, and feasted themselves. Antonio, the speaker, continues to blame Telemachus, “Telemachus, you boaster,/ your spirit is too unrestrained/How you carry on, trying to shame us” (3.1-3.16). (The quote does not appear in the cited book, line, and page number.) The blame game depicted an immoral character in the absence of the King. The lack of a male head made the suitors take advantage of the situation, resulting in the consumption of the entire Odysseus livelihood. The suitors had taken advantage of the weakened household due to a lack of a male head leader to prevent them from the unhospitable act. As evident by Odysseus, (The following make up a block quote, which should be introduced with a colon and then indented 10 spaces from the left margin. Since the quote is dialogue, the quotation marks should remain; however, if it were not dialogue, then the quotation marks should be omitted.) “You dogs, because you thought/I’d not come back from Troy to my own home,/you’ve been ravaging my house, raping women, and…” confirms the injustices that portray the lack of hospitality conducted by the Suitors (22.13-16.144). (The quote does not appear in the book, lines, and page numbers.) As a result, society considered the behavior a moral outrage. Telemachus also encountered hospitality in his quest to find the father’s whereabouts after the Suitors’ misbehavior. (Please do not summarize. Provide textual evidence from the poem to show what you mean: quotes and in-text citations.) The son traveled through the seas, causing his arrival in Sparta, which led to a meeting with his father’s friend Menelaus. Menelaus welcomed Telemachus with his crew with luxurious baths and feasts. Later, he offered his friend’s son food to the east, a place of rest, and house luxuries that was affordable by the house. The hospitality granted to Telemachus reflected the father’s hospitality during the Trojan War by securing Menelaus at his home. Therefore, Xenias creates a good portrayal in the Greek culture because of no consequences, demands, or pride. (Avoid summarizing.)
Body Paragraph #3 above should relate to Odysseus’ visit with the Phaeacians – not at his home in Ithaka.
Hospitality remains the human moral character that involves helping an individual in need. (The meaning of this last idea is confusing. Hospitality is not a moral character.) It is depicted in the Greek culture in the journey of Odysseus (Odysseus’ = Possessive Case) back home to Ithaka. Odysseus was treated with dignity by the King of Alkinoos, his daughter and wife, the Queen. He was given accommodation, meals, and entertainment. Also, Phaeacians portrayed a high level of hospitality when they welcomed Odysseus. Princess Nausicaä welcomed Odysseus to her parent’s palace. In the palace, Queen Areta and King Alcinous gave a warm welcome, food, accommodation, drink, and poured libation to Zeus as thanksgiving. Contrary to the morality of Greek, Odysseus encountered negative hospitality when they encountered Cyclops. Cyclops had eaten all his men and regarded him a stranger. He also never recognized Zeus. Suitors continue to represent the immorality in hospitality where they squandered the Odysseus belonging with the knowledge that the head of the family was absent. (The meaning of this last idea is not clear. Be sure to proofread.) Therefore, the evidence of hospitality defines the rich Greek culture by depicting the life journey of Odysseus, his son, and the entire society of Ithaka and beyond.
Work Cited
Johnston, Ian, ed. The Odyssey: Selections. Broadview Press, 2019.
The only sources allowed in writing assignments in the class are posted in Canvas.
For more information, review the assignment handout.
Hello, Cherie –
Unfortunately, focus is missing. The narrowed topic was to analyze the theme of hospitality in Odysseus’ visit with the Phoenicians, not with Cyclops and the suitors in Ithaka.
Also, no quote is correctly formatted or cited. I’ve invested the last 4 ½ hours trying to figure out the ones provided here in the paper. The identification of Books is incorrect, as are line and page numbers. Without clarity, ideas are confusing, often disconnected, and lack logical sequencing.
The only sources allowed in writing the paper are posted in Canvas.
I strongly recommend that, if possible, you print out the. assignment handout and use a highlighter to go through the instructions – read more carefully.
Other areas that need work:
Capitalization of major words in a title
Verb Tense
The title of the poem typed in italics, and both words are capitalized: The Odyssey.
The thesis statement should be narrowed and provide the 3 ways/reasons that the main idea will be explained throughout the paper.
Avoid dropping in ideas without providing textual examples from the poem: quotations and in-text citations. Without analysis, the paper is a summary or stream of consciousness, which is not the assignment.
Verb Tense
Sentence Structure
Use only sources posted in Canvas.
Distinguish between using short quotes and block quotes. See the assignment handout for rules and examples.
Word Choice
Possessive Case.
Cherie, it would help if you worked with the tutors. They can help identify and resolve problems before you turn in a paper. And I’m not fussing – I care.
Review the notes and let me know if you have any questions.
“D”
62
Current-Events-Article
Everyone’s problem: Looking Beyond the Wal-Mart Bribery Case.
The article that I choose to write about is Everyone’s problem: Looking Beyond the Wal-Mart Bribery Case. The article it is about Wal-Mart being accused of committing bribery giving illegal payment of money to Mexico’s top officials. The reason that is stated is the company is trying to by pass the slow process that Mexico has in place of getting the paper work done. They are able to fast track the opening of new Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart, which is a U.S., owned company has had evidence brought against them from the U.S. government stating that they have made 24 million dollars worth of illegal payment to Mexican officials in order to skip the legal process that it takes to open up a store in the country of Mexico. Wal-Mart has also been accused of knowing that the allegations where going to come to light soon, So Senior executive started to sell off large sums of Wal-Mart stock before the allegations reached the public, Which some view that as insider trading. The article also touched on the fact that in many other countries in the world are known to take bribes to fast track the process of opening businesses in their country. It is stated that it is part of the countries business culture.
The muti-national aspect of this article is that Wal- Mart is a U.S. owned company and are subject to comply with U.S. Laws when it comes to business despite what is considered the culture in the foreign country that they are operating in. Also the act of insider trading can affect other countries stock market. When one market notices uncertainty in another market it tends to reflect in the days trading in all markets.
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/everyones-problem-looking-beyond-the-wal-mart-bribery-case/
Questions
Is it truly unethical to pay the Mexican officials to fast track paper work to get a store open within a timely manner when all the other companies do it, when it is looked upon as part of the Mexican business culture to pay these officials?
What is being done to stop the officials of these other countries from openly accepting these bribes in exchange for expedited paper work?
Will the senior executives be charged for insider trading?
Citation
Everyone’s Problem: Looking Beyond the Wal-Mart Bribery Case. Knowledge@Wharton (2012, May 09). Retrieved from http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/everyones-problem-looking-beyond-the-wal-mart-bribery-case/