"Everyday Use" Socratic Seminar Reflection

Emile Fierro
11/5/15

"Everyday Use" Socratic Seminar Reflection

Vocabulary words:

• Dasher (noun): A plunger for agitating cream in a churn. At first I had no idea what a dasher was until I saw the definition, however in the seminar it was described as a symbolic object because Dee was gonna take it.
• Heritage (noun): Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations. The definition of heritage was explained more in depth in the seminar, especially when explaining the difference between African and African-American culture.
• Quilt (noun): A warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching. In the seminar, this object was much spoken of because it played part in the climax of the story, when the mother refused giving the quilts to Dee and instead giving them to Maggie.

Strategies:

• Humor: The phrases that the mother says throughout the story add realism to the setting. Her way of speaking immerses the reader in rural Georgia.
• Symbolism: Symbolism is an important strategy used in the story because it sets the difference between a household object and folk art. For example, Dee sees the quilts as family history because they were passed down for generations and should be preserved. On the other hand, the mother and Maggie see the quilts as as common household object to keep the bed warm.
• Irony: The irony in the story is that Dee sees the quilts as folk art and should be hung on a wall for display. However, the quilts are more valuable to Maggie and the mother because the quilts are practical household items.

My performance:

I feel like in this seminar, I didn't contribute much to it, because I was mostly listening to the interesting ideas the others said. I also believe I didn't contribute much because the others has similar ideas as mine, however they spoke first, so I couldn't really repeat what they had said.

The other's performance:

The others who participated with me in the Socratic seminar did a very good job overall. They were communicative and stuck to the subject. There was good teamwork because people asked questions to each other and commented on their ideas.

Reflection on Content: 

The meaning of heritage is seen very differently between Dee and the mother. Dee constructs a new African heritage and tries to hide her own true heritage while the mother proudly expresses it.

Main points:

The main point in this essay is to contrast both Dee and the mother's idea of heritage. Also, explain how Dee tries to erase her past and wishes that the mother will accept her for what she is. However, Dee has little knowledge of what real African culture is, so what she considers her "real" heritage is empty and false.

Connections:

I have noticed similar situations in real life, much like the story. For example, I have a friend who is of Mexican heritage, and both his parents speak Spanish and are proud of their culture. However, my friend was born in the United States and therefore he considers himself an "American", and rejecting his own culture and language. It is a shame because one should have some sense of pride in their culture or heritage, and not reject their own.