"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker is a short story about a mother and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, and their differing ideas about their heritage and culture. The story takes place in the 1960s, a time of great change and turmoil in the United States, particularly for African Americans who were fighting for civil rights.
At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to the mother, who is referred to simply as "Mama." Mama is a strong, hardworking woman who has lived through many struggles and has a deep appreciation for her heritage and the simple things in life. She is content with the way she lives and the things she has, and she is proud of her African American culture and traditions.
Mama's older daughter, Dee, is the opposite of her mother. Dee is highly educated and has spent time abroad, and she has a new appreciation for her culture and heritage. However, her appreciation is more academic and intellectual than emotional or personal. Dee sees her heritage as something to be admired and studied, but not something to be lived and experienced.
Mama's younger daughter, Maggie, is still living at home and has a close relationship with her mother. Maggie has been scarred by a house fire that she survived as a child, and she is timid and self-conscious. Despite this, she has a deep love and respect for her heritage and culture, and she values the practical, everyday objects that are a part of her life.
The story's conflict arises when Dee comes to visit her mother and sister. Dee wants to take two quilts that have been passed down through their family for generations as a way to celebrate and honor her heritage. However, Mama and Maggie have a different idea about the quilts and their value. They see the quilts as practical, everyday items that are meant to be used and enjoyed, not put on display as art.
In the end, Mama decides to give the quilts to Maggie, recognizing that she is the one who truly understands and appreciates their value and meaning. This decision also reflects Mama's realization that Dee's understanding of her heritage is shallow and superficial, and that Maggie is the one who will truly carry on and preserve their family's traditions and culture.
Overall, "Everyday Use" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the themes of heritage, culture, and identity. It highlights the importance of appreciating and preserving the things that make us who we are, and it shows the dangers of forgetting or ignoring our roots in favor of a more polished and refined image.
Testing a leaf for starch is a common experiment in biology classrooms, as it allows students to understand the process of photosynthesis and how plants use energy. In this lab report, we will outline the materials and methods used, describe the results of the experiment, and discuss the implications of these results.
Materials:
- Fresh leaf from a green plant
- Iodine solution
- Beaker
- Test tube
- Glass stirring rod
- Dropper
- Paper towels
Methods:
- Obtain a fresh leaf from a green plant and gently wash it with water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Fill a beaker with water and add a few drops of iodine solution.
- Use a dropper to place a small drop of the iodine solution onto the leaf.
- Observe the color of the iodine on the leaf. If the leaf contains starch, the iodine will turn blue or black. If the leaf does not contain starch, the iodine will remain yellow or orange.
- Repeat the process with a few additional drops of iodine to confirm the results.
- If necessary, use a glass stirring rod to scrape a small piece of tissue from the leaf and place it in a test tube. Add a few drops of iodine solution to the test tube and observe the color change.
Results: In our experiment, we found that the iodine turned blue or black when applied to the leaf, indicating the presence of starch. When a small piece of tissue was placed in a test tube and mixed with iodine solution, the solution also turned blue or black. These results suggest that the leaf we tested contains starch.
Discussion: Starch is a complex carbohydrate that plants use to store energy. It is produced during photosynthesis, when the plant uses energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose. The glucose is then converted into starch and stored in the plant's tissues, such as leaves, stems, and roots.
The presence of starch in the leaf we tested confirms that the plant is able to carry out photosynthesis and produce glucose. This is important for the plant's survival, as it allows the plant to store energy for times when sunlight is not available, such as at night or during periods of low light intensity.
Overall, testing a leaf for starch is a simple and effective way to understand the process of photosynthesis and the role of starch in plant metabolism. It also helps students learn how to use scientific equipment and follow experimental procedures, which are important skills for any aspiring scientist.
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