Everyday Use
Short Story by Alice Walker
Introducing the Short Story
with VIDEO TRAILER
Literary Analysis: Conflict and
Character
Reading Skill: Make
Inferences
Vocabulary in Context
Everyday Use
INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY
What makes something VALUABLE?
The word value means different things to different people.
For example, an old vase might
have high monetary value or
high sentimental value.
Everyday Use
INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY
What makes something VALUABLE?
To some, it might have great
historical, cultural, or artistic value.
But others might think it’s a
useless piece of junk.
Often people disagree over the value they assign to an object. Or
they may agree that it is valuable, but not for the same reason.
Everyday Use
INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY
What makes something VALUABLE?
QUICKWRITE
If you could save only one
precious possession of yours
from being destroyed or left
behind, what would you save?
Write a short paragraph
identifying the item and telling
why it is valuable to you.
Everyday Use
Click on the title to play the trailer.
Everyday Use
Everyday Use
Conflict and Character
A story’s plot progresses because of a conflict, or struggle between
opposing forces.
Everyday Use
Conflict and Character
In “Everyday Use,” the main conflict centers around two sisters, Dee
and Maggie, and their mother, who narrates the story.
Although the main conflict between these characters is worked out in
the resolution of the story, some other conflicts linger unresolved.
Everyday Use
Conflict and Character
As you read, pay attention to
the conflicts and whether they
are resolved.
Also think about the
differences in the
characters’ values and
priorities.
Everyday Use
Make Inferences
Because writers don’t always
tell you everything you need
to know about a character,
you must make inferences,
or logical guesses, based on
story details and your own
experiences.
For example, the narrator makes a comment about her yard being
like “an extended living room.” From this comment, you might infer
that she enjoys being outdoors.
Everyday Use
Make Inferences
As you read, notice what the characters’ words and actions tell
you about their personalities and attitudes. Take notes on a chart
like the one shown.
Story Details
Dee
Mama
Maggie
thinks orchids are tacky
flowers
Inferences
is pretentious
Everyday Use
doctrine
Figure out the meaning of each boldfaced vocabulary
word from the context. Sample answers appear in
brackets. In your Reader/Writer Notebook, write a
sentence that shows your understanding of each word.
1. sneaky, furtive behavior
[secretive]
2. need time to recompose after your outburst
[become calm again]
3. accept the club’s doctrine
[set of rules]
4. remember your heritage when you leave home
[family traditions]
furtive
heritage
recompose
Everyday Use
doctrine n. a set of rules, beliefs, or values held by a group
furtive adj. sneaky, secretive
heritage v. something passed down through generations, such
as traditions, values, property
recompose v. to restore to calm, to settle again