Pieces of fabric sewn together, to us, may seem like a quilt used to cover oneself for warmth. However, in everyday use the quilt is used to symbolize the family legacy passed down from generation to generation. Symbolism is when an object like a crucifix is ​​used to represent something larger like a religion and not just a piece of wood. A crucifix can also be used to represent the pain endured by man and the heavy burden we carry every day. Many authors, including Alice Walker, use symbolism to give the reader a deeper sense of meaning within the story. The character Deest struggles to understand that “the people behind the quilts are what matters” (Eshbaugh) and not just a piece of art to hang on the wall. In her surprisingly well-kept backyard, Mama Johnson and her daughter Maggie await the arrival of Maggie's sister Dee, who has left to succeed in the big city. Dee has always been the daughter who shines brightest considering the fact that Maggie was severely burned and scarred in a house fire. The fire scarred Maggie physically and “also scarred her soul” (Velasquez). Maggie's scars made her feel self-conscious and inferior to her sister Dee. Mother expects Dee's visit to be like those reunions she sees on shows, including the show with a "sportsman like Johnny Carson" (Walker 715). To Mom's surprise, her daughter's visit appears to be a tragic moment in which Dee becomes greedy and asks for items. from the house to use as furniture in his town house. Dee's lack of understanding of the family heritage causes Mom and Maggie to face the division of the Mora family (3). Finally, after Dee requested the family quilt, Mom decided to give Maggie the quilt she had been promised for her wedding. Many... middle of paper... nes. Works CitedBmad, Nick. “Symbolism in Walker's 'Everyday Use'.” Enotes.NP, July 4, 2007. Web. March 17, 2014 Eshbaugh, Ruth. "A Literary Analysis of Alice Walker's Short Story 'Everyday Use'." Yahoo! Voices. Yahoo, Inc., August 21, 2008. Web. March 17, 2014. SparkNotes Editors. "Themes, Motifs and Symbols". Notes of sparkle. Sparknote LLC. N.d., Web. March 17, 2014. Velazquez, Juan R. “Characterization and Symbolism in the Everyday Use of Alice Walker.” Lone star. Np,nd Web.17 March 2014.Walker, Alice. "Daily use." Heritage of American literature. Ed. James E. Miller. vol. 2. Austin: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1991. 714. PrintWhite, David. “‘Everyday Use’: Defining African-American Heritage.” Luminary. Anniina Jokinen, September 19, 2002. Web. March 17, 2014. Write the editors of the work. “Symbolism in everyday use by Alice Walker.” WriteWork. Np, May 2006. Web. 17 March 2014.