I.

a.  Alice Walker’s short story, “Everyday Use” illustrates this concept through the characters and plot. 

            b.

c.  W.E.B Dubois’ theory of double consciousness refers to the awareness of the “two-ness” of being “an American and an African-American,” and the “largely unconscious, almost instinctive movement between these two identities.” (The Veil and Double Consciousness by W.E.B Dubois, page 2) 

            d. In this story, a mother and her youngest daughter, Maggie live together in a rather run-down old house in the southern countryside. They are visited by the other daughter, Dee, who has gone off to college in the city.

            e. Dee’s ignorance of her adopted African heritage is matched by her ignorance of her actual American heritage. 

II.

a.     When Dee (Wangero) says “I couldn’t bear it any longer being named after the people who oppress me,” she is actually blaming her ancestors for their enslavement, which is incredibly ironic.

b.      She was named Dee after her aunt Dee, who was named after her grandmother.

c.      She knew she had been named for her Aunt Dee, but was unaware of how far back the name went in her family."

(Everyday Use: Defining African American Heritage by David White)

d.     It is as if she has unconsciously convinced herself that being an    ancestor of slaves is something to be embarrassed about. She is ashamed to be descended from them because this idea of ‘double consciousness’ has sunk in so deeply. 

e.     The logic behind Dee’s name change is that the name ‘Dee’ was a name given to her grandmother by the slave owners and so a name from before their enslavement is better. However, the name she chose is a poor choice.