Tillie Olsen's I Stand Here Ironing, and Alice Walker's Everyday Use, both address the issue of a mother's guilt over how her children turn out. Both mothers blamed themselves for their daughter's problems. While I Stand Here Ironing is obviously about the mousy daughter, in Everyday Use this is camouflaged by the fact most of the action and dialog involves the mother and older sister Dee. Neither does the mother in Everyday Use say outright …
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…also pointed out that Dee and Susan are self-centered and selfish while Maggie and Emily are caring and giving. I think in the end both of the mothers realize their daughters are okay the way they are. They come to accept their daughters limitations and cherish their quiet gifts. Not everyone can be polished and successful in worldly ways. Maybe that's why Maggie was smiling in the end, her mother finally accepted her as is.