The mother of the story, while presented as a strong
character, had always had a preference for her daughter Dee. Dee was smart, savvy, and
pretty, while her sister Maggie was slow, awkward, and homely. The story opens with the
mother, or narrator, fantasizing about being on a television show that would show her as
the mother Dee wanted her to be and Dee's acceptance of her
mother.
When Dee arrives with her current boyfriend in tow,
the mother cannot help but be impressed with Dee's bright dress and new Afro hairdo.
Yet, Dee comes off as superficial, interested in only what is currently popular--hence
Dee's interest in the butter churn and and the quilt. The mother who has always favored
Dee, though, decides to deny Dee the quilt and instead give the quilt to Maggie. This
decision represents a first for the mother. She has said no to Dee and has chosen
Maggie over Dee. It seems that with this choice, the mother comes to accept herself as
she really is--not some fancy version of what Dee wants her to be--and truly appreciate
the beautiful spirit of her other daughter, Maggie, who has a true sense of her
heritage.
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