Question

What impact does point of view have on "Everyday Use"? Explain how the story would be different if told from Wangero's point of view.

Answer 1

The story is narrated by Mrs. Johnson, the mother of Dee and Maggie. Based on her narration we can deduce that she is a woman who is used to being submissive. She is very reserved and her focus is more on her daughters rather than herself. Unlike Dee, who is very vocal about her desire to embrace her pure roots. 

Dee aka Wangero is a go-getter. She is a volatile personality that fights for what she feels is oppression. She identifies herself as a strong woman who is not inferior to anyone. She embraces her African heritage and is proud of it. 

Where Mom's point of view may deem calm and noncombative, Wangero would most likely be fiery and impassioned. These different views will greatly impact on how the story will end and how the readers will view the story and its characters because they will also be influenced by the views and beliefs of the narrator. 

Answer 2

The point of view is in first person told by the mother of Maggie and Dee. We can see this because the story starts off with the letter "I". if the story was told from a different view the story would be different for example if Dee told the story would be different because Dee and the mother are two different people they would have different thoughts, feelings, emotions, and different points.