Education versus Traditions Essay
Education versus Traditions Essay

Education versus Traditions Essay

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  • Pages: 2 (543 words)
  • Published: January 20, 2022
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The story is part of the collection In Love and Trouble.

The story revolves around Mama, an African-American woman residing in the Deep South with her two daughters, Maggie and Dee. Nevertheless, Dee has opted to reject her conventional background and detach herself from her community, attributing her own failures to them. Conversely, Maggie embraces her African lineage, which garners praise from her mother.

In this paper, we will examine the similarities and differences between the two sisters, while also acknowledging that Dee has chosen to disconnect from her family's heritage. This decision greatly upsets their mother, who recognizes that imperfections can still hold beauty, as seen in contorted and oddly shaped trees. The mother daydreams of a vibrant reunion with her daughter, envisioning it being captured by television cameras.

De

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e is the object of jealousy, particularly in Maggie's eyes. Maggie perceives Dee as leading a successful life where all her plans and endeavors prosper. However, Dee seems unconcerned about reconnecting with her family and believes that nobody favors her. She embraces being an outcast and feels she belongs with the deceased. Through her education, she has learned to not worry about love but fully embrace it. Dee informs her mother and sister that she no longer identifies with their social class and has no intention of returning to her roots. According to their mother, Dee would sometimes share knowledge acquired from school, giving her the confidence to distance herself from the rest of the family. The mother believes that an adult child can be dangerous because Dee may even share unnecessary information. During a visit home, Dee realizes that writing has saved her from resortin

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to violence and openly declares to Maggie and their mother that it is time for them all to change their way of life.

Maggie, in contrast to her sister Dee, possesses a contrasting character. She has not yet become selfish. Unlike Dee, she bears an unattractive face resulting from childhood burns. The mother emphasizes the need to shower her with love and appreciation despite her physical appearance. Maggie chooses to remain at home with the mother, preventing her from experiencing the outside world. This seclusion also denies her access to education, setting her apart from her intelligent sister Dee. The mother deeply understands the extent of Maggie's shyness and the disadvantages life has imposed on her.

The mother expresses her feelings of inferiority compared to Dee, which causes her to miss out on opportunities. However, there is a glimmer of hope when a man named John Thomas proposes marriage. The mother believes this union could potentially change her life, although she doubts its impact on her character. The mother had two quilts that she had promised to give to Maggie. Maggie treasures these quilts and refuses to give them to anyone, including Dee. When Dee appears with the quilts and accuses Maggie of being unable to take care of them, Maggie becomes furious and destroys the plates in the kitchen before storming out and slamming the door.

The mother had to intervene and address the matter, attempting to calm her own anger. In order to convince Maggie to give up her favorite quilts, the mother praised her for her ability to create new ones.

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