Question

Which two of these excerpts from “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker most clearly explore socioeconomic status?

Answer 1

The correct answers are excerpt A " 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..." and excerpt B " When she was courting Jimmy T she didn't have much time to pay to us, but turned all her faultfinding power on him..."

Explanation:

"Everyday Use" is a short story by the American writer Alice Walker, in this story, the main characters are an Afro-American woman and her two daughters Dee and Maggie, who have different perspectives about heritage and Afro-American culture. But besides, exploring heritage this story explores other issues or aspects related to the Afro-Americans, this includes the socioeconomic status.

This can be seen in excerpt A "I never had an education myself. After second grade the school was closed down. Don't ask my why...", because in this excerpt the mother explains she did not have an education "I never had an education myself" and despite her daughter, Maggie knows how to read she is not smart or have money "She knows she is not bright. Like good looks and money, quickness passes her by", which is directly connected to the socioeconomic status of both women.

Similarly in excerpt B "When she was courting Jimmy T she didn't have much time to pay to us" the mother explains one of her daughters were courting with a boy of the town, but the boy decided to marry a girl from the city who seems to be or at least pretends to be from a higher socioeconomic status "He flew to marry a cheap city girl from a family of ignorant flashy people" which shows the differences between different socioeconomic status.

Answer 2

The correct answer would be options A and B, of the excerpt.