“Everyday use" by Alice Walker was set in the late 1960s or early 1970s, a tumultuous time when many African Americans were struggling to redefine and seize control of their social, cultural, and political identity in American society.
The time in which “Everyday Use” took place was an era when groups of all ideologies—some peaceful, some militant—arrived on scene. The Black Panthers and Black Muslims were groups created to resist what they saw as a white-oppressive society.
The novel is about an African-American Mama and her two daughters, Maggie and Dee. The plot surrounds The Quilts which are full of the family heritage. And the Mama wants to give two of the most important Quilts to Maggie while Dee wants to prevent the situation arguing that Maggie would not be careful enough to take care of the Quilts and they would get destroyed.
The excerpts from “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker that most clearly explore socioeconomic status are:
1) I never had an education myself. After second grade the school was closed down. Don't ask my why: in 1927 colored asked fewer questions than they do now. Sometimes Maggie reads to me. She stumbles along good-naturedly but can't see well. She knows she is not bright. Like good looks and money, quickness passes her by.
5) We sat down to eat and right away he said he didn't eat collards and pork was unclean. Wangero, though, went on through the chitins and corn bread, the greens and everything else. She talked a blue streak over the sweet potatoes. Everything delighted her.