When
applying Psychoanalytic
Theory to “Everyday Use” we learn a lot
about the main characters; Maggie, Dee and Mama. We learn about their inner
fears, insecurities, low self esteem and unstable sense of self. Within reading this story you come to realize
that these three main characters are going through some sort of psychological disorder.
One way or another, we all have gone through psychological disorders at one
point in our life. From birth to death we all go through problems which we
repressed, our own psychological wounds.
In the story “Everyday Use” Maggie
experiences very low self esteem. ”Low self-esteem is the belief that we are
less worthy than other human beings and, therefore, don’t deserve attention,
love, or any other form of life’s rewards.” (Tyson,26). Throughout Dee’s stay, Maggie
was nervous and very self-conscious of her scars and burn marks due to the
fire. She was also jealous of Dee’s much easier life. As Dee arrives, Maggie
try’s to run back into the house but Mama won’t let her. Her fears, her
jealousy’s took over at this point of time, in comparison to her sister it seemed
as if they came from two different worlds, which made it extremely easy to grow
a low self esteem threw out time.
Dee
shows one of the few core issues known as “Insecure or Unstable sense of self.”
“Insure or unstable sense of self” is when we may have a tendency to repeatedly
change the way we look.” (Tyson 27). This problem was shown at her arrival
visiting her mom and sister with
Hakim-a-barber. Dee dressed very elegant and acted like she was better than
others toward her mother and sister. She also changed her name to “Wangero”.Dee
changed her looks, her name, and her persona.
Breaking
down “Everyday Use” by applying Psychoanalytic Theory helped understand the characters and the theme
to the story a lot better. Each
character dealt with their psychological disorders in their own way. From
avoidance, denial, low self esteem to even changing their whole persona.
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