#manisha

JHUME RE GORI • tribute

From Women of Marvel Vol. 2 #001, “Good Hair” / “Saturday Morning in Harlem” / “Wild Rhino Chase” / “Water When Needs Watering”

Art by Rachael Stott, Kei Zama, Skylar Patridge, Marika Cresta, Rachelle Rosenberg, Ruth Redmond and Tríona Farrell

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry and “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker both have objects that are symbolic to the characters in the story and to the readers outside of it. In “The Gift of the Magi,” Della (wife) cuts off all of her hair in place to buy her husband a gift for his watch. On the controversie, Jim (husband) sells his watch to buy Della hair combs that she has been wanting. This short story compares to “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker because both stories show how each significant item comes with a sacrifice. However, they both contrast each other through the objects themselves.

The United States suffered a two-year recession shortly after the stock market crash of 1901. This downturn accounts for the salary drop in that time period. In the story, the characters reflected the time period scrambling to find money to buy presents. Even though the income level lowered in the households, the cost of living was never affected by the stock market crash. Despite all, Della and Jim wanted to buy each other expensive christmas gifts. Della always had pride for her long hair, but later found out that she must give up her hair to buy the watch bob for her husband. Much like Della, Jim had pride for his gold watch and he gave it up to purchase the comb set for his wife. The readers are able to see the irony in this situation since neither of the characters have a purpose to use their gifts.    

The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing during the 1960s. Some African-Americans, mostly young educated people, were adapting a pseudo-ethnic identity. In “Everyday Use,” Dee represents this group. She grew up with her family, who still live in the backwater Southern town she left behind. Mama and Maggie are surprised to see Dee in her African garb, male companion, and new name (Wangero), and her sudden interest in family history. First, she asks for the churn, carved by her uncle, saying she’ll use it to decorate the house. Next, she asks for the handsewn quilts, which were promised to Maggie. These objects in particular have no monetary value, but hold a lot of memories and family history. The quilts themselves were sewn by Grandma Dicie and Auntie Dee. Wangero complained that Maggie would only wear them to tatters by putting them to everyday use. When asked what she would do with them, Dee replied that she would “hang it up.” To her, these objects are not as personal as they are to Mama and Maggie, who learned how to quilt from the previous womenfolk of the family. Instead, Wangero sees the churn and quilts like some sort of history in a museum, things to be displayed. In the end, Mama hands the quilts to Maggie, saying that her younger daughter would use them as they were intended to be.

“The Gift of the Magi” by O.Henry and “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker describe the significance and value of the things and the sacrifice done for accomplishing them.The symbolism of an object differs for each one of us. For Della and Jim, the presents they bought for each other  were very expensive and showcased the love for each other as they both sacrificed a lot to get it.They both gave up on precious things just to be able to make each other happy. Della cut her hair and used the money for the gold watch chain and Jim sold the watch to buy the combs. A gift has no price as long as is given from love and with a deep and dedicated significance.

Dee from “Everyday Use by” by Alice Walker shows a different attitude toward things with a significant importance. She wanted to inherit the quilts and churn as objects of value, when for her sister, Maggie meant more then just value. Maggie wanted to use those things everyday to remind her of her grandmother and somehow get closer to her through those objects.

The way we treat the use of objects reflects the way we are, therefore we place those things in accordance to the they affect us personally. Some things have no value and can’t ever be bought or sold since there is a more significant meaning behind them.