Discussion Questions Week 7

Is this story optimistic or pessimistic about true love? Is the old couple a positive or a negative example of true love? What about Nick and Laura? What about Ed? Could you argue that he was in love?

The story holds both pessimism and optimism. The elderly couple provides a more positive and lighter note on true love. Some may see the event as something sweet elderly people do. Nick and Laura also provide an optimistic view of true love in that they want to stay as in love as they are presently. Ed, on the other hand, seems to have a misplaced infatuation rather than love. If that is what true love entails, then that is something I wouldn't want to be apart of. :)

Consider the relationship between the story’s content and title. Ultimately, is “everyday use” a good thing? The narrator uses this term in the story itself, referencing the possibility that Maggie will receive the quilts. One sister has a very negative association with the idea that such items will be used “everyday”, and in a casual manner; the other appears to believe that such items should be used in order to demonstrate value – unused items have no value in Maggie and her mother’s household. Which definition of “everyday use” does the story, as a whole, appear to uphold?

Everyday use can be a good thing, as well as a bad thing. We should all try to preserve the things that hold value to us, but we never fully utilize them. Dee negatively associates everyday use of these heirlooms as mistreating them, however, Maggie and her mother positively associate everyday use as using the heirlooms to its full value and appreciation. As a whole, the story explains that value cannot be found if something is kept behind a glass case or a plastic wrap. When used to its full potential, we are reminded of the people who made them and used them before us.