The Author’s Use of Imagery and Setting (Movie Review Sample)

Your Name Instructor Name Course Number Date The Author’s Use of Imagery and Setting Introduction Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” is set in a rural setting, exploring a reunion between Maggie, Dee, and their mother (Walker 75). These characters struggle to reclaim their cultural roots (Sharma 103). Walker uses imagery to explore heritage, harmony, identity, and conflict in African-American culture (130). This paper argues that the author uses imagery to deepen the conflict and struggles of the plot, convey the deeper meaning of the themes, and central messages, and illuminate the character identities. The Use, and Importance of Imagery and Setting in Relation to the Plot According to Walker, Mama’s rural home and yard represent a place of freedom where Maggie and Mama can shape their narrative (129). Within this setting is a series of events (plot) that revolves around a conflict about the quilts handmade by Dicie and Mama. Mama wants to give the Quilts to Maggie while her sister Dee desires modern, decorated quilts to be hung on the wall (Alasta 185). Within this plot, the author uses descriptive language to appeal to the sense of audience, for example, the author describes the Quilts as containing “…swatches of clothes once worn or owned by at least a century’s worth of ancestors” (Walker 78). The importance of imagery in this quote is that it connects characters to their past generations, fostering a sense of identity and heritage dating back to the ancestral generation. The Use, and Importance of Imagery and Setting in Relation to the Characters Apart from the setting, Walker uses imagery to explore the interaction between characters and their environment, defining their personality. First, Mama connects deeply with her home which extends to the yard. Imagery is depicted in her conversation with Maggie and her decision to give her the quilts demonstrates her commitment to ensuring the continuity of their identity and heritage ((Sharma 109). It also shows her commitment to strengthening family bonds. Maggie, her daughter is reserved, she prefers to remain quiet at home taking care of the yard. Her learning to quilt from her grandmother shows her commitment to learning the family traditions. She also values practicality, for example, she uses quilts to provide warmth (Walker 77). On the contrary, Walker notes that her sister Dee embraces modernity as demonstrated by her dressing style: modern dress with sunglasses. The dressing code of Dee is a demonstration of a person's commitment to cultural exploration. She does not view Quilts as a cultural heritage but as an artifact, showing her disconnection from tradition, and identity (Walker 76). Lastly, Dee tries to change her identity, she says, “No, Mama, not 'Dee,' Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo!"(Walker 78). She uses Wangero, instead of her birth name Dee, distancing herself from the cultural root. The Use, and Importance of Imagery and Setting in Relation to the Theme/Central Message The major themes of Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” are Cultural pride, value for cultural heritage, and familial bonds (Sharma 107). The quilts have been used figuratively to em...