Everyday Use- Theme

There are many themes throughout the course of the short story Everyday Use by Alice Walker. One of the major themes throughout the course of the novel involved African-American culture. The theme talks about the good parts of the African-American culture, as well as the conflicts and struggles that come along with being an African-American. For example, Walker states, "like good looks and money, quickness passed her by" (Walker, 71). The text talks about the difficulties concerning the opportunities that African American have in society. Specifically, it talks about how it is difficult to proceed with life concerning money. Not only does it talk about them individually, it talks about how they have work well together. In the story, Walker gives a story about how the culture of working for African-Americans has enabled them to achieve greatness in life. It talks about how their culture takes the bad aspects, but turn them into something they can work with. For example, Walker inserts a story about a woman who embraces her working ability to provide for herself and those around her. It said that she could work outside all day breaking ice to get water for washing. The theme of the good and the bad of African-American culture is present through the course of the short story allowing the reader to learn how they live their lives.