When diving into the rich narratives of literature, we often find ourselves captivated by the characters that inhabit these stories. In this essay, we’ll explore the intriguing character dynamics in two renowned short stories: “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker and “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. While they emerge from different cultural backgrounds and historical contexts, both tales center around themes of identity, social status, and personal value through their complex characters. This essay will highlight how these characters reflect their respective societal values and the lessons we can learn from their experiences.
Characters’ Backgrounds and Their Societal Context
First off, let’s set the stage with a quick overview of our main characters. In “Everyday Use,” we have Mama (Mrs. Johnson), Dee (Wangero), and Maggie. Each woman represents different attitudes towards heritage and identity within an African American context post-civil rights movement. Mama is a hardworking woman who embodies traditional values, while Dee seeks to redefine her heritage in a more modern sense after having gone through her own journey of self-discovery at college.
On the other hand, “The Necklace” introduces us to Mathilde Loisel, a woman who yearns for wealth and luxury despite being married to a modest clerk. Her discontent with her social standing drives her to borrow what she believes is an expensive necklace for a fancy event—only to face dire consequences later on. Both sets of characters illustrate differing perspectives on wealth, identity, and self-worth.
Contrasting Attitudes Towards Heritage
Mama’s attitude toward heritage is practical and grounded; she sees value in the everyday use of family heirlooms like quilts passed down through generations. For Mama, these items represent love and familial connection rather than status or aesthetic beauty. In contrast, Dee views heritage as something to be displayed or curated for social validation; she even goes so far as to change her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo as part of her new identity that rejects her immediate family roots.
This clash is epitomized when Dee comes home wanting to take the quilts that Mama had promised Maggie—a representation of cultural pride versus mere possession for display’s sake. It’s fascinating how Walker uses this conflict between Mama’s authenticity and Dee’s performative approach to underscore larger themes about understanding one’s roots versus commodifying them.
The Pursuit of Social Status
In “The Necklace,” Mathilde Loisel is emblematic of societal pressures regarding wealth and appearance during 19th-century France. She longs for what she doesn’t have—luxury—and feels entitled to it despite living an average life with her husband Charles, who does everything he can to please her. Unlike Dee’s overt rejection of her past in favor of trendy aesthetics in “Everyday Use,” Mathilde’s desires stem from envy; she’s unhappy because she compares herself constantly against those with greater means.
This longing ultimately leads Mathilde into borrowing what she perceives as an essential accessory—the necklace—only for it to spiral into disaster when she loses it after attending a glamorous ball. The irony lies in how both women suffer due to their misguided perceptions: Dee tries too hard to reclaim culture without understanding it deeply while Mathilde’s pursuit leads not just away from contentment but also into poverty when they spend ten years repaying debt incurred due to replacing the lost item.
The Lessons Learned
The character arcs reveal profound insights about personal values over societal standards. While it may seem that Dee has embraced empowerment by redefining herself through her name change or desire for artifacts representing African heritage—all symbolized through objects like quilts—it becomes evident that empowerment doesn’t come from objectification but genuine connection instead.
Similarly, Mathilde’s journey serves as a cautionary tale against valuing appearances over reality; had she embraced gratitude for what she had rather than focusing on envy-driven aspirations—perhaps life would have turned out differently for her too! The real lesson here extends beyond material possessions: it encourages readers toward introspection about how our identities are shaped less by external validation than by authentic experiences tied deeply within ourselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Everyday Use” and “The Necklace” present multifaceted characters whose journeys illuminate significant truths about human nature across time periods—whether it’s grappling with notions around heritage or confronting societal expectations regarding wealth—and remind us all how crucial it is not merely where we come from but also how we choose (or refuse) evolve along life’s winding path! Both stories serve timeless reflections worth pondering long after turning their last pages.
- Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
- Maupassant, Guy de. “The Necklace.” Project Gutenberg.
- Perry N., et al., eds., “Contemporary Literary Criticism.” Gale Group Publications.
- Sullender J.E., ed., “Understanding Alice Walker.” University Press Books.
