Analytical Essay on Short Fiction Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analytical on Short Fiction - Essay Example Based on the specific levels various people behave in different ways towards themselves and others in relation to education. Therefore, education is shown to have both divisive and combining powers. In this sense, this paper will analyze this aspect in the â€Å"Everyday Use† book by Alice Walker. It will evaluate the different feelings brought about by education and the examples that are used to achieve this notion. â€Å"Everyday use† portrays education as an element that is so much sort after for its numerous benefits to the individual and the society. On the other hand, there is a contradicting element linked to this factor. The characters in the book are shown to look for education in order to make a better life out of their current slavery status. The main character who is portrayed to look for this is Dee. She is a slave who desires education to make her situation better. However, she faces a great challenge in her inability to go to the school that she wants. However, after a lot of sacrifice from her fellow slaves she attends school where she gets a lot of ideologies and knowledge. Therefore, she is enlightened in a way that she wants to find the truth. As a result, the positive elements expected from education are not fully achieved. Instead, a long formed friendship and family ties are broken and the individuals separated. The lofty ideas and educational opportunity that Dee fi nds give her a sense of loss of heritage. In turn, she seeks her background, and identity that can only be provided by her family (Walker, 1992). During the time period between the 1960s and the 1970s the African Americans did not get the chance to engage in as many activities as the other citizens were. For instance, the people from other races were given the opportunity to take part in various education activities. Education is principle reason why the knowledge, skills and values are accumulated and transmitted from one generation to another.