Premium Essay

Wise at Heart

In:

Submitted By jonaldvitug
Words 988
Pages 4
Jonald Bondoc
“Wise at Heart” In 1973, Alice Walker wrote a short story entitled “Everyday Use.” It is about the conflict between two siblings over who gets to keep an artifact of the family’s heritage. At the end of the story, it shows that the younger daughter, Maggie, gets to keep the quilts which the older daughter, Dee, wants most. Despite the fact that the older daughter’s education is superior to the younger daughter’s education, Maggie knows more about her heritage than Dee does. They may both have a liking for their heritage, but Maggie likes her heritage because it brings back memories of her loved ones, while Dee likes it because she wants to use her heritage for selfish reasons. Dee is more educated than her family but lacks the knowledge about her heritage’s true essence; she wants the artifacts of her heritage but only for her selfish reasons. She is the only one in her family that goes to school which means she is the only one in her family who receives a proper education. In the story, Dee visits her family from college because she wants to have something from them: the family’s heritage. Dee wants to have the butter churn top and dasher which were made by her uncle, and she also wants the quilts that were made by her Grandma Dee, which contains pieces of Dee’s grandparents’ and great grandfather’s clothes. What is intriguing about Dee’s action is that she never likes her heritage, and it is even mentioned in the story that Dee changes her name to Wangero and says, “I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me” (164). This shows how Dee is disrespectful to her heritage since her name was passed down long ago from generation to generation, and she just declines her family name like it does not have any value. It is also mentioned that Mama “offered Dee (Wangero) a quilt,” but Dee “said to me [Mama] they were old

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

When I Was One and Twenty

...now he's 22. And as it turns out, the advice he got was pretty good. Love hurts. And we're not just quoting that '80s song. Line 1-2 When I was one-and-twenty I heard a wise man say, • Uh-oh. Any time a literary work starts out with a wise man's sayings, you just know that they're probably going to be ignored. If we listened to wise advisors, we wouldn't have any stories to tell. And poems are stories, after all. • So, we've got a young whippersnapper and his older mentor. Stay tuned, folks…. Lines 3-6 "Give crowns and pounds and guineas But not your heart away; Give pearls away and rubies But keep your fancy free." • Well, it turns out that love is worth more than gold. Or, er…the lack of love is worth more than gold. • Don't let the happy tone and snappy rhymes confuse you: this poem is about control. It turns love into an economic calculation, one which allows the "wise man" to balance feelings against more conventional forms of currency (crowns and pounds and guineas are, after all, the big guns of the U.K.'s monetary system). As it turns out, the heart is more valuable than money – which is precisely why the speaker's buddy thinks that it should remain soundly within his control. • Of course, this is also about the lack of control – since we have a feeling that not too many people take this wise man's sayings all that seriously. After all, there's a difference between once-in-a-lifetime When Harry Met Sally sort of soul mates and a passing crush. You might be able...

Words: 1238 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

The Gift of the Magi

...First of all, the Magi were the three wise men from the Bible. They brought unique gifts to the baby Jesus (“Biblical Magi”, para. 1). This is reflected in the story by O. Henry. Della and Jim sold their most precious possessions to give each other the most valuable gifts for the Christmas. Della was willing to sell her precious hair to buy Jim a platinum chain, and Jim was willing to sell his precious watch to buy Della a beautiful comb. Both Jim and Della have shown that they were willing to sacrifice the most treasured thing they have to give something to the other. In the exchange, they gained something new. Love is not something they have of their own; love is something they share together. They unwisely scarified in order to make their sweetheart happy. The presents seemed to be useless but it is priceless indeed. Their gift giving shows the selfless love of each for their loved one. They care deeply and want to please the other. The gift was valuable because it came from the heart. At the end of the story, O. Henry expressed his love for the characters. He admired their unconditionally love, their generosity and their sacrifice. O. Henry explained that the wise men brought presents for the baby Jesus and invented the art of giving gifts. Because these men were wise, “their gifts were no doubt wise ones”. However, Della and Jim unwisely scarified their most treasured possession. Because they give gifts from their heart, they are wise: “They are the Magi”....

Words: 355 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Literature

...together in this story are sacrifice and love. Jim and Della already possess the greatest gifts they can ever possess: they have each other's love, a love that is willing to sacrifice for that love. They are compared to the Magi, who knelt at the manger where the infant Jesus lay and brought gifts to honor him. But they knew, the Magi, that their gifts were small insignificant tokens compared to what this infant child would give to them. They honored him, just as Della and Jim honor each other by sacrificing their prize possessions to buy the other a worthy gift for Christmas. It is the sacrifice involved in this process that is at the heart of the theme--unselfish love, which is rare and should be cherished. In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," the theme of the story is that of selfless giving from the heart, like that of the magi or wise men in the Christmas story. The irony, of course, is that Della sells her hair to buy Jim a watch fob ("fob chain") for his pocket watch, but Jim sells his watch to buy Della beautiful combs for her long, luxurious hair. In this case, each has sacrificed what was most dear to him or her for the other—which the other then cannot use. The story is told in third person objective: Narrator is...

Words: 1270 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Rules of Friendship

...RULES OF FRIENDSHIP. ‘And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle'. (1 Samuel 8:-1-4) Each friend represent a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born yet there are rules guiding and guarding friendship. Ignorant of these rules can lead to a wrong choice of friend and jeopardize the future of the people involved. Life is all about rules and we must not forget that the best way to useless the law is to obey it to the letter. I will however expose you to some of the penitent rules guiding friendship. A GOOD FRIEND IS FAITHFUL Fair weather friends are numerous, and the book of Proverbs in the Bible clarifies this as stated in (Pro. 14:20; 19:4, 6, 7). Nevertheless, a true friend is a person who is still there even when the going gets tough. The best time to know those who are your real friends is when you are going through hard times in life. Despite the challenges Jesus faced, Peter, though he denied Jesus in between, was there with him. True friends are faithful...

Words: 1746 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Essay

...minutes a day of vigorous exercise reduce their risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. It would be wise for you to begin a daily program of exercise. The issue in this argument is whether you should begin a daily program of exercise. Yes, its one one of the most important thing in life is to exercise. Heart disease is the number one killer in America which you can help prevent it by exercising. The highest rate in America for over weight or obese is 1.6 billion. Health problems and diseases will reduce by exercising, it will also help boost your self esteem and confidence. You can live a healthier, longer, and happier life. The premises research has shown that people who do at least 30 minutes a day of vigorous exercise reduce their risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. This supports the conclusion and are the reason why the person has for the conclusion. The conclusion is it would be wise for you to begin a daily program of exercise. This is statement that responds to the issue question. You don't have to do it everyday it could be once a week or maybe twice a week. Yes, this argument is a deductive and it is valid, because the statement is true. If you do exercise it will make the heart muscle stronger. Exercising will help give you more energy and help release tension and stress. This argument is also sound and valid because the argument is true. Exercising 30 minutes a day will help prevent heart disease and cancer. The argument is very strong because...

Words: 425 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Hamlet

...So if he says he loves you, be wise enough to know his word goes no further without Denmark’s word. Then consider the shame you would bring if you were to surrender to his seductive talks and expose your heart – or give up your virginity to him and his greedy ways. Be careful Ophelia, and keep your affections at a safe distance, away from the dangers of lust and desire. Even exposing your beauty in the moonlight is too much. Early spring flowers are always the first to be slashed by worms before they’re fully developed. Young people make too many mistakes. Laertes So if he says he loves you, be wise enough to know his word goes no further without Denmark’s word. Then consider the shame you would bring if you were to surrender to his seductive talks and expose your heart – or give up your virginity to him and his greedy ways. Be careful Ophelia, and keep your affections at a safe distance, away from the dangers of lust and desire. Even exposing your beauty in the moonlight is too much. Early spring flowers are always the first to be slashed by worms before they’re fully developed. Young people make too many mistakes. LAERTES: Then if he says he loves you, It fits your wisdom so far to believe it As he in his particular act and place May give his saying deed, which is no further Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal. Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain If with too credent ear you list his songs, Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open To...

Words: 855 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Sermon

...31 Days of Praying for Your Pastor Brothers, pray for us. (1 Thess 5:25 ESV) “Let the thought sink deep into the heart of every church, that their minister will be such a minister as their prayers make him. … How perilous is the condition of that minister ... whose heart is not encouraged, whose hands are not strengthened, and who is not upheld by the prayers of his people! … “It is at a fearful expense that ministers are ever allowed to enter the pulpit without being preceded, accompanied, and followed by the earnest prayers of the churches. It is no marvel that the pulpit is so powerless, and ministers so often disheartened when there are so few to hold up their hands. … When the churches cease to pray for ministers, ministers will no longer be a blessing to the churches.” Gardiner Spring (1785-1873) There is no greater gift you can give your pastor and the spiritual leaders of your church than to pray for them. Pastors cannot win the battle alone; they need committed intercessors to lift them up in fervent, specific prayer. Imagine how the power of God might be released in our churches if we were to pray faithfully for our pastors. Pastors are human—they face the same challenges that their people do, with some additional ones! They grow tired in ministry, are tempted to sin, and may find it difficult to balance their many roles and responsibilities. They need the encouragement and support of those they lead. Prayer for your pastor is crucial to the spiritual health of...

Words: 2010 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Who Brought Bernadine Healy Down?

...Who Brought Bernadine Healy Down Who Brought Bernadine Healy Down Identify and discuss the public service culture present in the case and explain why Wise argues that public service motivation is found more in the government than in the private sector Public service cultures are those set-spoken and unseen rules in an institution or an organization. Public sector motivation is the way people respond to this rules whether positively or negatively. There are three forms of public motivation namely rational, norm-based and effective motivation. Rational motivation refers to when an individual wants to serve in advocating for a particular policy or rule that is important to him. Norm-based motivation can be said to be when the public servant is loyal to his duties while effective motivation is the pursuit of a noble course, that is, by heart. In the case of Bernadine Healy, public service culture presents itself inform of rational motivation. It is evidently seen that Healy follows what is of interest to her rather than what her heart tells her. Moreover, as the directors say, “red cross is about what your heart feels not what you think is right” (Sontag, 2001). Wise argues that public service motivation is felt more in the government as compared to the private sector. This is true because in many private sector institutions, there is a kind of dictatorial leadership leaving no room for suggestion. In a government institution, the civil servants are free to make any suggestions...

Words: 696 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Augustine Chapter 19 Summary

...his discussion questioning the idea that “the life of the wise man must be social” (19.5). After this quick mention the wise man falls off the page and the focus of Augustine’s discussion shifts. It shifts to a talk about how human life is full of “slights, suspicions, quarrels, war, all of which are undoubted evils” (19.5). The only time human life is free of these evils is during peace, but for Augustine “peace is a doubtful good” (19.5). He makes this claim because during times of peace we spend time not with our declared enemies, instead dealing with our friends. Augustine’s claim from here is the friends may actually bring more evil than enemies because the content of their heart shifts day to day and one cannot take necessary precautions against a secret enemy. Because Augustine opens his discussion with talk of the wise man and...

Words: 501 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Starbucks

...Christ. We are we supposed to teach them. What do we teach them? “...to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” It was the responsibility of the disciples in Jesus’ day to teach the Gospel to all nations (all people). If someone became a Believer, accepting Jesus Christ as Almighty God and Savior, then the disciples were to help that new convert grow in the Lord and become a soul-winner also. This is God’s divine plan to win the lost to Christ—We are responsible!!! I am sickened when I hear some dead-beat, backslidden Believer criticize soul-winning. The Bible praises the soul-winning Christian, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and HE THAT WINNETH SOULS IS WISE” (Proverb 11:30). It is wise to win souls to Jesus! It is wise to go soul-winning! It is wise to witness to friends, family and strangers concerning the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ! Don’t let the pessimism...

Words: 1499 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Wisdom

...“possess” as a reality. But they have yet not grown before our eyes to make us better, stronger or more fragile. As time goes by it is for the heart to meet youth and all that it brings forward: adventure, smiles and hope. Still, a young soul can remain unchanged even if the body grows old and memories get lost in time. A more dynamic persona means a lively existence, while passivity within does not involve much. Without doubt youth has no age. However, the main difference between a teenager and a grown-up remains: knowledge, the process of piling up facts, becomes wisdom which lies in their simplification. In the early stages wisdom is rare, but not impossible. Some reach a certain level of perceptivity sooner than others due to many events of a high importance in one’s life. Besides those “exceptions”, the saying “In youth we learn, in age we understand” can be recognized as truth by all of us. Nevertheless, there is no dissimilarity between a wise man and a fool when they fall in love. People make great mistakes for one thing: they idealize this feeling of affection. What does it “create”? Content, happiness and a dream world. These can easily reach their other end: total sadness and misconceptions the moment a heart is broken. It is strange how often this has to happen before the passage of years can make an individual wise. A clever old owl sat on an oak; the more he saw the...

Words: 353 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Ethics Week 5

...Health Department Chamberlain College Of Nursing MEMORANDUM FOR CATEGORY 1 From: SUBJECT: Ethical And Responsible Indications For Organ Delegation 1. Patients who are in need of Heart transplantation must have need due to life or death scenarios in conjunction with quality of life dynamics. In the Utilitarian view one will make this decision based on how many people are affected both in a negative and positive outcome. The goal or initiative of this decision is to provide a heart to the recipient who has the best chances of survival, also who exhibit health habits in correlation with proper heart health, such as normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels all of which affects heart health. 2. John Stuart a Utilitarian states that individual rights of a person is the most important thing when making difficult ethical decisions. In this instance, the recipient should be one whose past medical history has shown previous moderate health standards. A person’s health can be the result of congenital means which is unfortunate but the decision processed should not be affected otherwise. 3. According to Deontological views, doing what is right is the main goal. We are to enforce actions by which the patient benefits regardless of social status. Patient’s who are also celebrities or of high wealth do not benefit at the expense of the less fortunate. Every potential recipient is placed on the national list and through the use of a governing board...

Words: 615 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Tale

...Jake Hartling 12/6/15 D – Block “The Tell – Tale Heart” Response Poe builds suspense by using several “tools of tension:” repetition, unreliable narrator, and. Edgar Allen Poe starts by building tension though the use of repetition. Repetition is used to intensify the drama, heighten the conflict, and to make an overall better story. In this story, it is in the description of the heart getting louder that there is lots of repetition. Poe could have written once, the beating heart grew louder” and then he simply could have moved on, but that wouldn’t be very intense nor wouldn’t intensify the drama. Compare that to “It grew louder –louder-louder!... and now – again! – hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!” Saying it over and over like that makes the situation seem much more direr, anxious, and helps the reader feel the narrator’s distress. Repetition is a great way to intensify the conflict, make it more real to the reader, and to prioritize the storyline to reader. Poe also builds suspense by using an unreliable narrator. Poe’s use of the first person narrator helps build suspense. Poe uses first person point of view to his advantage in this story. Without the use of this point of view, “The Tell – Tale Heart” would not contain the flow and suspense it does. For example, right away our narrator addresses the reader,” True! – nervous – very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?" Here the reader is drawn right in to the story and...

Words: 378 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Docx

...within the book of Proverbs. Laziness – diligence’s lethargic antonym – is likewise frequently mentioned due to the severity of its consequences. Solomon illustrated both diligence and laziness in a unique way that emphasized key concepts such as personal discipline, integrity, and wisdom.” (Heart of the Wolph, 2014) Throughout all the proverbs we learn that lazy behavior results in poverty, while diligence results in wealth(Hindson, Yates 2012). In other words, diligence is rewarded, laziness is punished. We get this idea reiterated over and over again throughout the Bible. In Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty”. And again in Proverbs 10:4 “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” I could go on, but I think we get the idea. When it comes down to it, the wise embraced diligence like Solomon and the many decisions he had to make. But the wise also fear laziness and push it as far away as possible, so that it will not become their downfall. I personally (and I think a lot of us can attest to this) suffered from a lot of laziness in my life, but I strive to be more wise every day. I learn from my mistakes and...

Words: 1240 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Character Analysis Of Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

...Not only is Atticus very strict but he is also a very wise man. He can be portrayed as wise because he thinks and knows in his heart that everyone is equal no matter their skin color or background. He took the Tom Robinson case because he knew that it was the right thing to do and he knew if he did not he would not be able to face the people of Maycomb; He really wanted to keep his dignity. He knew that a mob of people were planning on coming to the jail and were going to lynch Tom Robinson. Atticus went to the jail that night and sat by Tom’s jail cell until the mob leaved. Atticus teaches his kids, Jem and Scout, many life lessons such as to love and treat everyone kindly. Scout was getting made fun of because her father was representing a black man and she fought back. Later that night Atticus had a talk with Scout about taking all...

Words: 465 - Pages: 2