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In the short story, Everyday Use, the author, Alice Walker, uses effective narrative structure to advance the plot and create a more interesting tale. The story is broken up into 5 sections. The space between each of the sections represents a shift in focus, from present action to action that is reflected upon or imagined. The story has unique pattern of alternating focus, switching from active, present tense focus to reflective, insight focus. The story starts in the lawn of the present tense, but quickly moves into mamas head, and continues this pattern throughout the story.
The sectioning of parts also helps to make the story, which really doesnt have that much central action, a lot less boring than it could be. If all of the narration and background information was provided in the beginning, and then the small amount of action at the end, the story would be quite exhaustive. However the integration of story line and plot make for an interesting story, tightly sealed in its structure for leaking and response or emotion from a reader. The use of a first person narrator, especially it being mama, is a highly effective tool in the short story, Everyday Use. A story is written in first person in order to bring all the experiences of the narrator to the reader, that he / she may use it in analysis.
Mama, a woman worn by life and the experiences thereof, is then a good choice of narrator. She brings all the cynicism and bitterness of a single parent, all the hardness of being the sole provider, etc. Because Mamas character is so round, this makes the story much more bright and descriptive. Through her skewed point of views (as point of views have a way a being), the use of first person narration furthers the theme of simple, plain life v. gaudy, extravagant life. The readers reaction to the story is also highly affected by the narrator.
If reader stood away from the story and looked at it objectively, they would realize it is really not that terrible what Dee wanted to do. What makes it disgusting, however, is precisely that closeness the reader has to the story, viewing it from the eyes of Mama. Through Dees eyes, Maggie would be described as a shy child and we wouldnt feel the pity and compassion we feel for the unfortunate girl that springs as it comes from Mamas heart. Thus, the use of first person narration in Everyday Use is highly effective.
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Research essay sample on First Person Narration Present Tense
