The 1920s, a time marked by Prohibition and the introduction of television, were widely known as a time of struggles such as the Great Depression and the beginning of what it later became known as the women's rights struggle. However, supposedly the biggest struggle was that of “colored” people. Due to limited resources, limited speech, and limited economic opportunities, many "colored" people sought ways to escape "everyday" life and the hardships they often faced. One of these ways came by starting to express oneself more freely. Also, as a result, the Harlem Renaissance was formed. In "Everyday Use," Alice Walker, one of the trailblazers of the Harlem Renaissance, tells the story of an oppressed and disadvantaged African-American family with different values ​​about what it means to live, or, more importantly, of a person struggling with understanding their present life in relation to the traditions of their ancestors and their culture. The audience is introduced to both girls early in the story. From the narrator's vivid description of the girls, the reader quickly makes a distinction between the two daughters. The way Maggie walks is compared to that of "a dog run over by a careless rich man" (453). However, Dee is described as "lighter than Maggie, with beautiful hair and a fuller figure" (454). From the physical description alone, readers can deduce that Dee is the "prettier" of the two. Although they are completely opposite in physical characteristics, both girls share a central theme. Alice Walker uses something as simple as a quilt to develop the central theme. This theme is that both daughters, Dee and Maggie, are confused about the meaning of their heritage. However, Dee's confusion is the result of her not wanting to accept... the middle of paper... is a symbol of the past, but only in the sense that she must move forward and never look back. On the other hand, Maggie sees the quilt as something she could use every day to relive the customs of her ancestors in conjunction with her future life and aspirations. Although Maggie is limited in beauty and education compared to Dee, Maggie is far ahead of Maggie in a stage of self-understanding. Maggie knows her abilities and respects what she has. However, Dee has no disabilities and couldn't care less about her ancestors. Dee's ultimate goal is to feel distant from her ancestors, while Maggie's ultimate goal is to feel at one with her ancestors and their way of life. The saying that "you have to know where you come from to know where you're headed" is exemplified in this story. Without an understanding of the past, it is not possible to have a true understanding of self.