Here's why:
* Dee's perspective: Dee, now known as Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, views the quilts as artifacts to be displayed and admired, detached from their historical context and the lives of the people who made them. She sees them as a symbol of her African heritage, something to be appropriated and used to validate her newfound identity.
* Mama's perspective: Mama understands the quilts as a tangible expression of her family's history and resilience. The patches represent the hard work, love, and resourcefulness of generations past. She sees the quilts as a living legacy to be passed down and cherished, not just for their aesthetic value but for the stories they tell.
* Maggie's perspective: Maggie, though less articulate, embodies the same connection to the quilts as Mama. She understands their true value lies in their practicality and their connection to the family's history.
The quilts, therefore, become a powerful symbol of the clash between:
* Tradition vs. Modernity: Dee's desire for a sanitized, romanticized version of her heritage contrasts with Mama's grounded, pragmatic understanding of their history.
* Material vs. Immaterial: Dee focuses on the physical object, seeking to possess and display it, while Mama prioritizes the intangible stories and memories woven into the quilts.
* Ownership vs. Belonging: Dee's attempt to claim the quilts as her own, divorced from their history, opposes Mama's understanding of them as shared family heritage.
The conflict over the quilts ultimately highlights the complex relationship between family, identity, and cultural heritage. It demonstrates the importance of understanding and respecting the stories and legacies that shape our lives, even if they don't always align with our personal aspirations.