Instructions
Now that we have completed reading “Everyday Use,” let us revisit the earlier question:
How do I resolve my responsibilities to myself with those to my family members, school, community, and world?
Each of the main characters has demonstrated different ways of resolving her responsibilities. For this assignment, choose one of the prompts below and thoroughly develop a response to the questions. Be sure to write in paragraph format with topic sentences and supporting details. Do not forget to include specific examples from the text. You do not need to use direct quotations if you do not want to but do refer to specific scenes or events. Be sure to explain how those scenes or events support your claims.
The character of Maggie struggles to manage her responsibilities to herself with those to her mother and sister. Give an example from the story of a time when Maggie had difficulty doing what she wanted or what was best for her because she felt obligated to meet either her mother's or sister’s needs before her own. What was the outcome? Did she meet her needs or her family’s? How would you have reacted/responded if you were Maggie? Why?
The character of Dee handles her responsibilities to herself, her family, her school, and her community differently than her mother and her sister. Give an example from the story that illustrates how Dee handles one of her responsibilities. What was the responsibility? How did she handle it? Did she meet her needs or her family’s? Would you have handled the responsibility differently? Why?
What is Mama’s philosophy when it comes to responsibilities to one’s self, family, school, community, etc? What led you to draw that conclusion? Please reference the text for support.
Sample Solution