Symbolism is a literary technique used by a variety of authors. Symbolism uses an object, a person, a place to represent something greater than what it actually is or means. For example, the crucifix symbolizes the honor, sacrifice and love of all men. The symbols also represent suggestions for ideas, such as traffic lights, red symbolizes stopping, yellow symbolizes slowing down, and green symbolizes going. Symbolism is also used to celebrate, in Hispanic culture a quincenera is used to symbolize a little girl becoming a young woman. In the story, Mama Johnson, mother of Dee and Maggie, is a hard-working woman, she goes to try to raise money to send her eldest daughter, Dee, to study. Little to know that Dee would get involved in a social status again. Dee (Wanjero Leewanika Kemanjo) returns to look down on her family and bring the family heirlooms with her. Dee can't help the fact that Mom and Maggie use most of the items she wants to take with her on a daily basis. The quilts that are the link between the women of the family and living history mean nothing to Dee as she just wants to hang them on the wall, Mama Johnson makes a wise decision and gives the quilt to Maggie the true representation. Dee isn't too thrilled with the decision and leaves with a bang. Saying to his mom "you just don't understand",..."what don't I understand?" I wanted to know” “Your inheritance' he said”(Walker722) In Everyday Use by Alice Walkers the literary technique of symbolism is used several times throughout the story. The character of Mama Johnson is caring, courageous and independent. She is the true representation of African American women. She is the symbol of hard working women and all those who have had a good… middle of paper… that keeps moving forward and isn't left hanging on the wall. I'm sure if Maggie had been named Dee, she would have boasted that she was named after the great women in her family. He appreciates all that his culture has to offer. As you can see, symbolism is used everywhere in this tale, to represent many great things in African American culture. Works Cited Bmad, Nick. "Symbolism in the everyday use of walkers." Enote. Np, July 4, 2007. Web. March 17, 2014 Eshbough, Ruth. "A Literary Analysis of Alice Walker's Short Story 'Everyday Use'." YAHOO! VOICES. Yahoo,inc., August 21, 2008.March 17, 2014 Velazqez, Juan R. “Characterization and Symbolism in Alice Walker's “Everyday Use.” Lone star. Np, nd Web. March 17, 2014Walker, Alice. "Daily use." Heritage of American literature. Ed. James E. Miler. Vol2. Austin: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991. 714. Print.