Question

english ii
summer assignment

another reason i believe that (dee/the narrator) has the strongest appreciation for her heritage is...

evidence that supports reason 1:

explain how this evidence supports your reason:

Explanation:

Analyze the prompt and character perspectives

The prompt asks for a reason, evidence, and explanation regarding whether Dee (Wangero) or the narrator (Mama) has the strongest appreciation for her heritage in Alice Walker's short story "Everyday Use". Using Everyday Use Analysis, we can argue that the narrator (Mama) has the deepest appreciation because she values heritage as a lived, active daily practice rather than a static, aesthetic display.

Formulate a strong reason

Using Literary Analysis, we establish that Mama's appreciation is rooted in the practical use and familial connection of ancestral items.

• Reason: The narrator (Mama) has the strongest appreciation because she views heritage as a living history to be used and kept alive through daily practice, rather than as decorative art.

Select and integrate textual evidence

Using Textual Evidence Integration, we locate a key quote from the climax of the story where Mama decides to give the quilts to Maggie.

• Evidence: Mama records that Maggie "can appreciate them" and notes, "She can always make some more... Maggie knows how to spin and weave, too." Furthermore, Mama remembers her mother and grandmother making them, showing a direct, active link to her ancestors.

Explain the connection

We explain how this evidence supports the reason by contrasting Mama's functional, ancestral connection with Dee's superficial, museum-like view of heritage.

• Explanation: This evidence shows that Mama values the quilts because they represent a continuous family legacy of skill and labor. By giving them to Maggie to be used daily, Mama ensures that heritage remains an active, living part of their lives, whereas Dee merely wants to hang them on a wall as dead artifacts.

Answer:

Another reason I believe that <blank>the narrator</blank> has the strongest appreciation for her heritage is <blank>she views heritage as a living history meant to be integrated into daily life and passed down through practical family traditions, rather than as static art to be displayed.</blank>

Evidence that supports reason 1: <blank>"'Maggie can appreciate them,' I said... 'She can always make some more,' I said. 'Maggie knows how to spin and weave, too.'" Mama also remembers the physical labor of her mother and grandmother in making the quilts.</blank>

Explain how this evidence supports your reason: <blank>This evidence demonstrates that the narrator values the quilts for their functional connection to ancestral labor and family history. By ensuring the quilts are used daily by Maggie, who possesses the traditional skills to maintain them, Mama keeps their heritage alive as an active practice rather than treating ancestral items as dead museum pieces.</blank>