My initial reaction of this short story was one of hesitance. Whenever I begin a new novel or short story, It always takes awhile for me to adapt to the style of writing and characters, not to mention the plot itself. But towards the end of this novel, I wanted to cry. Not out of sadness or hatred, but out of happiness.
In this short story, Walker used a style unique to her own heritage to portray a deep and emotional sense of family. The two opposing characters in this short story were sisters Maggie and Dee. Their relationship was especially interesting to watch play out because Dee has a personality very much like my own sister. Very demanding, and only thinking of her own self, it was frustrating to see how she acted, and it is a wonder how she could act so rudely without feeling guilty or unjust. She wanted more than she had, and didn’t appreciate the smaller, better things in life. She wanted it all. Maggie’s personality seemed to be the very opposite. She appreciated her home, and her relationship with her mother and grandmothers. She was thankful for the smaller things in life and was not materialistic. When Dee came to their home, rejecting her own birth name that was given to her, and stripping Maggie and her mother’s home of their possessions just because she wanted them, Maggie was still not angry at her sister. She even was going to allow Dee to take the blankets that her mother had promised to Maggie. I respect Maggie in the way that she remained true to herself, and didn’t allow Dee’s selfishness and rotten attitude effect her. I was very proud of the mother for stepping up for Maggie and taking the blankets from Dee. That part warmed my heart. Being true to those who treat you like family is really what makes true happiness. The style was able to contribute to this happiness in the way that it helped keep even the story true to its own heritage. Immediately, the style draws the reader into the mother and Maggie’s side. Although the mother did not hate Dee, and still treated her much more nicely than I think I would ever be able to treat someone who was so selfish, she still remained loyal to those who stayed by her side loyally.
Overall, this story left me with a happy feeling, even though I didn’t know what to expect in the beginning. It was interesting to see how the story played out, and how the characters interacted. I was wondering if anyone felt that the mother was wrong to take the blankets away from Dee like that, since she was the mother, and should remain unbiased, or if you think she did the right thing?
Ashley, great post, very insightful! I am sorry to hear about your sister. It is unfortunate that you have been faced with that situation. I don't think the mother was wrong at all to take the blankets away for two reasons. One is that they were promised to Maggie and Dee shouldn't just get them because she wants them. Dee was also very selfish and unkind. It was good for the mother to stand up to her. It was time she understood she could not push everyone around.
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your perspective on this piece. This story makes me want to be a better person. It makes me realize that I have an opportunity to put others above myself, regardless of how they treat me (I am not suggesting being a doormat). I think that was the point of this story. By the mother's actions at the end of the story, Walker reveals that there is a time to come to the defense of others as well.
I think that the mother had a very hard job, being the mediator between the two girls, and having to love both of them the same because they were both her daughters. It is a wonder, does that come naturally? Or do mothers have to work at things like that? Maggie was undoubtfully the rightful inheritor of the quilts, and I think that the story turned out very well. All of Walker's stories are somewhat similiar, a conflict between a woman, who she is, and her heritage. I think that this was one of her better ending stories in general though, mainly because Maggie had the happy ending. She even sent Dee away at the end learning a lesson.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that I did not know what to expect at the beginning of the story. I do think that the mother did the right thing in not allowing Dee to have the quilts. I think that they were due to Maggie because they were promised to her first and I think that the mother did right in fulfilling her promise. I also think that it was a good thing for Dee to hear the word no and not be allowed with getting everthing that she wanted. This was something that she was not used to.
ReplyDeleteI thought she did the right thing. I think a parent can remain unbiased with their children , but also back one of the kids if the older kids are picking on him/her. In this case, Maggie was willing to give up the quilt to Dee, but the mom thought Dee always gets her way, and everything else in life, so she stood up for Maggie.
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