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“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker
Digging Deeper into Text
1. What differences between the two sisters are clear from the beginning of the
story?
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2. Infer why Maggie slams the door when she hears Dee ask for the quilts.
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3. Which name do you think better reflects Dee’s heritage, and why?
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Conflict is a struggle that usually occurs when the desires of the main character in
a work are blocked in some way. In an external conflict, a character is pitted against
another character, society as a whole, or a force of nature. In an internal conflict, the
blocking of a character’s needs or desires causes a clash of forces within the person.
What do you think is the principal source of the conflicts in “Everyday Use”?
Consider the following questions. Then, write a brief analysis of the conflict on the lines
provided below.

Which character sets the action in motion?

Which of her desires is blocked?

Who or what is blocking them?

Is the battle external or internal or both?
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Turn page to continue.
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