By Macie Harkovich
The short story that I would adapt into film would be “Everyday Use,” by Alice Walker. The story is told from the perspective of the mother and in doing this, the tone of the story is influenced by her feelings and thoughts. The one thing that was missing for me was multiple perspectives. So if I were to create a film of this story, I would add the perspective of Dee (Wangero) to contrast that of her mother.
For instance, at the beginning of the story, the mother feels resentment towards Dee after she goes to school and comes back. As Dee fills in Maggie and the mother about everything she has learned, and the mother saw this as condescending, which was reflected through her narration. I really do think that Dee is just excited to share with her family.
Another point in which a shift in perspective would be good was near the end of the story: when the mother and Dee are looking at the quilts and ends up refusing to give them to Dee and instead intends to give them to Maggie who will use them for “everyday use.” In contrast, Dee would instead hang them due their pricelessness and as a way to honor her heritage. I feel like hearing this in the film through Dee’s narration would make the viewer understand and sympathize with Dee; I don’t think she has any ill-intentions, but has just become educated on her heritage and wants to preserve and honor the quilts as an art form.
In this story, I understand that Wangero is so ahead of time, and the mother sort of paints her as a villain, or someone who’s gone rogue from her family. But, in actuality, Dee had the courage to leave home and discover her identity. As a reader, we really lack her perspective.
One film that I can think of that was also a book, which switched perspectives in both works of art was “Wonder.” It shifted from a couple perspectives of the main characters, which I really enjoyed; it really allowed me to understand why characters did what they did and why they felt a certain way throughout the film and the book.
I would really like the film to have outside narration, as if each character is narrating to the audience. Along similar lines, I think it would be good to include flashbacks of Dee’s childhood before and after she goes away to school. I just feel like Dee has become alienated in her own family as a child and would like to see a flashback of this. Maybe she could even explain as a child the vision she has for herself, since the mother says that she dressed differently and had a certain lifestyle that she strived for.
As for other adaptation decisions, I would definitely do live-action, as animation would not quite bring the film to life in that way it should be. As for possible actors, I would have Zendaya play Dee. I see Dee as this fierce, stubborn-minded woman, and I feel like Zendaya would be able to embody that spirit.
I like the idea of adding Dee’s perspective to the story to get the perspective of both of them and be able to tell more what both of them are thinking. I like that you said having Dee’s perspective would let the audience see her is just very excited and not having any ill intentions. Having them also narrate to the audience is very smart and the flashbacks would be a very interesting addition to the story.