High School

What is the meaning of this excerpt from "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker?

"In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man. My fat keeps me hot in zero weather. I can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing; I can eat pork liver cooked over the open fire minutes after it comes steaming from the hog. One winter I knocked a bull calf straight in the brain between the eyes with a sledgehammer and had the meat hung up to chill before nightfall. But of course all this does not show on television. I am the way my daughter would want me to be: a hundred pounds lighter, my skin like an uncooked barley pancake. My hair glistens in the hot bright lights. Johnny Carson has much to do to keep up with my quick and witty tongue."

Answer :

Final answer:

The excerpt from "Everyday Use" illustrates the narrator's pride in her physical strength and connection to her heritage, contrasting it with societal expectations of femininity. It highlights the tension between personal identity and the pressures to conform to beauty standards. The woman's self-perception emphasizes her value in hard work and authenticity rather than superficial appearances.


Explanation:

Meaning of the Excerpt from "Everyday Use"

This excerpt from "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker presents a powerful self-portrait of the narrator, emphasizing her physical strength, practicality, and connection to her heritage, while contrasting it with societal expectations of femininity and beauty.

The narrator describes herself as a large, big-boned woman with rough hands that are capable of performing traditionally masculine labor. The imagery she uses conveys a sense of pride in her abilities, such as killing a hog and working in harsh conditions, showcasing her strength and resilience. In contrast, she reflects on how society perceives women, hinting at an expectation to fit a slimmer, more delicate ideal, as demonstrated by her daughter's desire for her to be lighter and more traditionally beautiful.

This juxtaposition highlights the struggle between personal identity and societal pressures. The narrator's ability to perform hard labor and her confidence in her physicality emphasizes a deep connection to her culture and roots, suggesting that she values her heritage over superficial beauty. Furthermore, references to figures like Johnny Carson illustrate the disparity between the woman's reality and the polished, idealized versions of women often depicted in media.


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