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Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"

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This solution explains how Walker uses many symbols in the story to convey meaning about a family's relationship with each other and their connection to society. It examines the purpose of using a dream about a television talk show in this story. What does this dream symbolize? Is the quilt a symbol? It also discusses the butter churn as a symbol.

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This posting highlights the use of symbols in this short story.

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Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" contains many symbols in the story to convey meaning about a family's relationship with each other and their connection to society. Please note that the purpose of using a dream about a television talk show in this story contains deep symbolism about the characters' heritage and cultural pride. Symbolism also displays Walker's own ideas about cultural identity and pride.

Please note that this dream symbolizes many elements. For example, you might want to examine the dialogue," In real life," she says, "I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands." However, the dream contrasts the mother's realistic image when the mother appears on a television show with Wangero. The mother is described as "the way my daughter would want me to be: a hundred pounds lighter, my skin like an uncooked barley ...

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