In "Everyday Use," are Dee and Maggie victims or heroes? In "Everyday Use," are Dee and Maggie victims or heroes?

#2 identifies the many
issues that could be discussed in answer to this question. It is clear that from an external
perspective, Dee can be regarded as a hero because she, in spite of her poor roots, has made
something of herself in the world and gained social standing. You could argue that Maggie has
not been able to do this - she has opted for a very different life from her sister and clearly
is very shy and withdrawn compared to Dee. Therefore, you could argue that she is not a hero.
However, #2 gives us an interesting interpretation of how she might be regarded a hero. Key to
note, however, is that in Mama's eyes, it is Maggie who is the hero for not abandoning her
heritage and roots in the way that her sister has.