Everyday UseShort Story by Alice Walker

Introducing the Short Storywith

Literary Analysis: Conflict andCharacter

Reading Skill: Make Inferences

Vocabulary in Context

VIDEO TRAILER

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

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.

What makes something VALUABLE?

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

As you read, pay attention to the conflicts and whether they are resolved.

Also think about the differences in the characters’ values and priorities.

Conflict and Character

Everyday Use

Make Inferences

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.

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.

Everyday Use

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.

Make Inferences

InferencesStory Details

thinks orchids are tackyflowers

is pretentiousDee

Mama

Maggie

Everyday Use

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.

doctrine

furtive

heritage

recompose

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]

Everyday UseEveryday 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