Point of View. Point of view is the vantage point from which a story is told. Stories are typically written from a first-person point of view, in which the narrator uses words such as I and we, or from a third-person point of view, in which the narrator uses words such as he, she, it, and they. As you read, determine the point of view used in this story.

Plot. A plot is a series of events related to a central conflict, or struggle. The inciting incident is the event that introduces the central conflict. The climax is the high point of interest or suspense in the plot. The crisis, or turning point, often the same event as the climax, is the point in the plot where something decisive happens to determine the future course of events and the eventual working out of the conflict. The resolution is the point at which the central conflict is ended, or resolved.

"Everyday Use" was published in In Love and Trouble (1973). Like many of Alice Walker's writings, the story explores the idea of African-American heritage. In a conflict between a woman and her sister and mother, two different interpretations of heritage are presented.

"Everyday Use" is enriched by Walker's development of symbols. In particular, the contested quilts become the central metaphor of the story's theme; they represent the past of the women in the family. The central theme of the story concerns the importance of heritage and culture to an individual's understanding of his or her present life and identity. The debate over how the quilts should be treated—used or hung on the wall—represents the black woman's dilemma about how to face the future.

As you read, make a sequence chart listing the main events of the story. One example has been done for you.

What family heirloom is important to you?