Everyday Use

Why does Mama resent Dee's education and ideas that Dee forced on them when she returned home from school?

• She distrusted her ideas, calling them lies.

• She didn't want to know the information since it was too complicated.

• She felt oppressed since they had received limited education, and now Dee was taunting them.

• She was jealous of the education that Dee had received.

How does the narrator first describe Dee?

• A tall, slender girl who is fearful of the future

• A robust, lean girl, who is an extrovert and assertive

• An overconfident, insensitive girl who is judgmental and provocative

• A scarred, timid girl who is jealous of the fortitude and independence of her sister.

What event occurred that changed Maggie's persona permanently?

• The arrival of Dee

• Mama giving her the quilt instead

• Her marriage

• The house fire

Why did Mama think Dee was too assertive and overconfident for her age?

• She hung out with weak friends who worshipped her

• She had already established her own "style"

• She dated Jimmy T, who was popular

• She was ignorant of her sister

What metaphor did Mama make to describe the personality of Maggie?

• A lame dog

• A snake

• An injured penguin

• Her heritage

Why does Mama fantasize about game shows?

• She wants to reunite with Dee

• She wants to marry a famous game show host, like Johnny Carson.

• She wants Dee to be grateful towards her for raising her

• She wants to be the mother that Dee loves and accepts

Who is Maggie getting married to?

• John Thomas

• Johnny Carson

• Hakim-a-barber

• It is sarcasm; Maggie is too timid to be married

What is the conflict between the name "Dee"?

• It was from the same name as Dee's ancestor's oppressor.

• It was the name of her Grandma

• Wangero, an African name, is much more suited to herself

• "Dee" represented her heritage, but Wangero denies, saying her name is much more African

What is the irony shown in the text?

• Dee wants to take physical evidence of her heritage, but objects don't represent tradition, only memories and practice.

• Dee wishes to steal the tokens of her family's past, but it holds no value since the memories are already gone

• Mama dreams of reuniting with Dee, but when she gets the chance to please her, she only pushes her away.

• Dee says Maggie doesn't understand her heritage, but Maggie holds more heritage than Dee already

How is Hakim-a-barber described?

• A strange foreigner who is getting married to Wangero, even though Mama is displeased.

• A smiling goofy man who has no idea of their traditions.

• A bearded hobo who has weird customs that enrage Mama

• A friendly man who has a good sense of humor.