Tradition is represented by Mama and Maggie. They value the objects of their heritage – the quilts, the churn, the butter dish – for their practicality and connection to their ancestors.
* Good: Tradition embodies a sense of community, family, and history. It provides a sense of belonging and stability.
* Deprived: Tradition can also be seen as limiting and outdated. It can trap people in a cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity.
Modernity is represented by Dee (Wangero). She is educated and has embraced a new identity, discarding her old name and embracing her African heritage. She sees the family objects as artifacts, symbols of her past, and wants to display them in her home, rather than use them.
* Good: Modernity offers opportunity and progress. It can empower people to break free from traditional constraints.
* Deprived: Modernity can lead to cultural alienation and a loss of connection to one's roots. It can also be used to exploit or commodify tradition.
The story doesn't explicitly tell us which side is definitively good or bad. Instead, it explores the complexities and ambivalence of both tradition and modernity. It highlights the challenges of reconciling the desire for progress with the need to preserve one's heritage.
Ultimately, the story leaves it up to the reader to decide where they stand on the issue.