Every Day Use

Based on the following description of Dee, which inference can you make about her? “She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice.”

• She knew how important it was to educate her mother and sister.

• The stories she told were meant to frighten her family and keep them awake at night.

• Dee found many ways to show her mother and sister that she was smarter than they were.

• Because she could read so well, Dee probably would make a fine teacher.

Which inference can you make about Maggie from the following description? “‘How do I look, Mama?’ Maggie says, showing just enough of her thin body enveloped in pink skirt and red blouse for me to know she’s there, almost hidden by the door.”

• Being unsure of herself, Maggie needed her mother to tell her she looked nice.

• No matter what she wore, Maggie always wanted her mother to compliment her.

• Because Maggie was small and thin, she liked to wear bright colors to stand out.

• The door was so heavy that Maggie could not open it herself.

Unlike the old house the family lived in, the new house

• is more to Dee’s liking

• has real windows

• has a tin roof

• is set in a pasture

Why do Dee and Mama disagree?

• Mama places little value on education or hard work.

• They have different ideas about what is important in life.

• Mama resents Dee for setting the fire that burned down their first house.

• Dee and Mama both want everything for themselves.

Dee wants the old family quilts because

• new quilts are too expensive, and she cannot afford to buy them

• they represent her family’s history and remind her of her ancestors

• she wants only handmade articles for her home

• they include all the colors she has used in her home

Mama gives the quilts to Maggie because she

• knows that Maggie has always liked colorful things

• thinks that Maggie can get a lot of money by selling them

• believes Maggie will treat them with more care than Dee will

• already has promised to give them to her when Maggie is ready for marriage

To recompose means to

• write a story or poem

• restore to calmness

• start at the beginning

• return a favor

The doctrine you follow is your

• academic degree

• means of support

• set of beliefs

• favorite movie

What does heritage mean?

• background and tradition

• system of measurement

• monetary inheritance

• religious community

What does furtive mean?

• arrogant

• sneaky

• foolish

• important