In Alice Walker's "Everyday Use", the exact setting is never revealed and, therefore, can only be guessed at, but we guessed that the story takes place in rural Georgia. At one point in the story, Augusta is mentioned. The era is also estimated to be during the Civil Rights Movement around 1973. Mrs. Johnson, with her two daughters, resides in a small three-room house and takes pride in her small yard. As Maggie and Dee grow up, they begin to realize how important their heritage and family heirlooms are, Maggie in particular. Maggie made her mother promise to give her the quilts when she was old enough. However, Dee wants to hang the quilts so they can be admired as if they were artifacts. Mrs. Johnson desperately tries to teach her two daughters the importance of preserving their African-American heritage. Johnson tells the story and is described as a "strong and loving mother" (www.sparknotes.com), but also "gentle and stern". (www.sparknotes.com) Mom takes on the role of man of the house in addition to having to be the mother. For example, in one afternoon she killed, slaughtered and hung the meat of a young calf all by herself and although she can do this kind of work, Mrs. Johnson is a very humble woman who is very happy with her style. modest life. Dee, meanwhile, is described as an “object of jealousy, fear and imagination.” (www.sparknotes.com) She is so different from her mother and sister. She changed her name from Dee to Wangero. Partly because she thinks Dee was a white person's name. Mama Johnson assures Dee that she is not named after a white man and that she is named after her grandmother. From...... middle of paper ......q-and-a/what-theme-daily-use-how-does-this-theme-2192>."SparkNotes: Everyday Use: Main Character Analysis. » SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. Internet. April 14, 2011. "SparkNotes: Everyday Use: Themes, Patterns, and Symbols." SparkNotes: Today's most popular study guides. Internet. April 14, 2011. "Student Essay on Accepting One's Heritage in 'Everyday Use' | Essays & Reviews | BookRags.com." BookRags.com | Study guides, lesson plans, book summaries and more. Internet. April 14, 2011. "Summary of Alice Walker's 'Everyday Use': The Role of African-American Traditions." Welcome to ArticleMyriad.com! Internet. April 14. 2011. .