Language

In “Everyday Use”, Alice Walker uses simple language, which is generally easy to follow and understand.

Style of writing

The choice of words indicates an informal style of writing, conveying the conversational style of the narration and helping with the characterizations. For example, Dee and Hakim-a-Barber greet Mama and Maggie with the phrases “Wasuzo Teano” and “Asalamalakim” (ll. 116-118), indicating that they have connected with their African and Arabic roots, respectively.

The narrator generally uses short or incomplete sentences: “And Dee. I see her standing off…” (ll. 53-54); “Although I never was a good singer. Never could carry a tune.” (ll. 75-76) This emphasizes the first-person point of view and conveys the main character’s thoughtful state of mind.

Shortened words are used in the dialogue to create an authentic voice: “ ‘God knows I been saving 'em for long enough with nobody using 'em. I hope she will!’ ” (ll. 231-232).

Parentheses are sometimes used in the story to provide more information on a certain subject or to emphasize a certain thought: “She will marry John Thomas (who has mossy teeth in an earnest face) and then I’ll be free to sit here” (ll. 75-76); “Hakim-a-Barber said, ‘I accept some of their doctrines, but farming and raising cattle is not my style.’ (They didn't tell me, and I didn't ask, whether Wangero (Dee) had really gone and married him.)” (ll. 169-171)

It is interesting to notice that parentheses are frequently used in relation to Dee’s name: sometimes Mama calls her “Dee (Wangero)” and other times “Wangero (Dee)”. This might indicate that Mama is trying to remember to respect Dee’s wish to be called Wangero, but also that she calls her Wangero whenever tension appears between them.

Imagery

Imagery plays a very important part in the story as it helps with creating the setting but also with characterization.

Imagery is used from the beginning of the story to introduce readers to the physical setting:

I will wait for her in the yard that Maggie and I made so clean and wavy yesterday afternoon. (…) When the hard clay is swept clean as a floor and the fine sand around the edges lined with tiny, irregular grooves, anyone can come and sit and look up into the elm tree and wait for the breezes that never come inside the house. (ll. 1-7)

Mama’s fantasy about an emotional reunion with Dee on...