Dee's Transformation:
* Original name, "Maggie": This name represents the narrator's connection to her heritage, her rural roots, and her traditional way of life.
* New name, "Dee": This name reflects the narrator's daughter's desire to break away from her past, to embrace a more modern and intellectual identity.
Symbolism:
* "Dee" as a symbol of aspiration and modernity: It represents Dee's desire for education, travel, and a more sophisticated life. It also symbolizes the rejection of the rural, traditional culture she was raised in.
* "Dee" as a symbol of detachment from heritage: The name change indicates a symbolic breaking away from the family's past and history, particularly the African-American heritage that is so important to the narrator.
* "Dee" as a symbol of cultural appropriation: Dee's adoption of African-American heritage, such as the quilts and traditional attire, seems superficial and disconnected from genuine understanding.
Contrast with the Narrator:
* The narrator, Maggie: Unlike Dee, the narrator remains grounded in her heritage, embracing the quilts as functional, everyday items. Her name, Maggie, embodies this connection to tradition and the ordinary.
* The "everyday use" of the quilts: The narrator's focus on the practicality and daily use of the quilts symbolizes her connection to her family's heritage and the importance of continuity.
Conclusion:
The name "Dee" is a powerful symbol in the story. It signifies the tension between tradition and modernity, the yearning for a different identity, and the potential for a disconnect from one's heritage. The contrast between Dee and the narrator highlights the different ways individuals interpret and connect with their past.