Alice Walker’s Everyday Use: Family Characters The family characters in Alice Walker’s " Everyday Use " illustrates the mistake by some people of placing the significance of heritage solely in material objects. Mama and Maggie, are presented as how heritage is passed on from one generation to another through learning and experience. Dee, represents a misconception of heritage as material. During her visit, Dee misplaces the value of heritage in her desire for racial heritage. Mama and Maggie represent the connection between generation and heritage that passed between them. They live in a home that is run down and out of touch compa