In the short story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, the author's life parallels the characteristics of each family member. The story is about an independent mother. The narrator lives with her youngest daughter, Maggie. The younger sister is very embarrassed because of her scars caused by a fire in her house. When Dee, the eldest daughter, arrives, the family is awkwardly reunited. Dee begins to claim various household items. However, when she tries to ask for the quilts promised to Maggie, Mom refuses. Even though the scenario is quite simple, each person's personality makes it much more complex. Mama illustrates the fears of what Walker feels is his future. Dee embodies the ambition and curious nature of her young adult life. Maggie symbolizes the sweet and innocent stage of his life. The three women together represent the trials of Alice Walker. Mama embodies the fear that comes with approaching thirty. In this character, Alice is able to personify the average worries of a woman. The narrator of this story is a “tall, big-boned woman with rough, hard-working hands” (Walker). It is in the physical description of the speaker that the reader perceives the most common fear among women: their silhouette. By placing the description after the older woman talks about her dreams, the audience sees that her figure is not something she fully appreciates. Additionally, Walker comes from a farming background, just like Mom. She eventually left her country life to become a writer and political figure. The author worked hard to get to this point. The mother shows an internalized worry that not all of her work will be successful. Mom is at the point where life has come full circle. She experienced the middle of the paper and the eye with a BB gun. Alice's injury made her shy and self-conscious. This resembles Maggie's shy personality. Another similarity is the agricultural context. Having a matching background brings Walker closer to Maggie. In fact, the youngest daughter has the greatest connection to the author of the entire group. It is the character of Maggie who confirms the autobiographical features of the story. Thus, “Everyday Use” is an autobiography. Each character is a metaphor for important phases of his life. Throughout the story, she uses her past experiences to write a moving story. From start to finish, the story embodies the life of a typical woman who is entering a new chapter in her life. She looks back and recognizes the past and the physical, emotional and educational differences within each element of her life. Works Cited “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker