In The Glass Castle, the Walls family consists of four children. The oldest one is <em>Lori</em>, who often teams up with Jeanette to help the family. She tries to help them by being realistic, and trying to see the world as it really is. The second one is <em>Jeanette</em>, the main character in the story. Jeanette's most important contribution to the family is the fact that she never loses faith in them, so she is the glue that holds them together. This is particularly important in the case of her father.
<em>Brian</em> is the next child, and he is a great defender of his sisters. He is also the most honest one about the parent's shortcomings. Because of this, he is able to bring some reality into their lives, and he is able to remain more distant from the chaos. Finally, <em>Maureen</em> is the one who reflects what a chaotic childhood can cause on a child. She is more affected mentally and spiritually by her upbringing, in contrast with her siblings. She is also the one who seems to contribute the least to the family's stability.
The impact Mama's decision to give the quilts to Maggie has on the development of the plot of "Everyday Use" is the Dee wants to keep the quilts to appreciate for "her heritage" but Maggie wants to use it as its purpose. This led to Dee believing that Maggie can’t appreciate the quilts just as how she sees them, and she thought that the quilt will be put to “everyday use” by Maggie and within 5 years or so, the quilt will turn into a rag.
