Is it surprising that Alice Walker would portray an educated, progressively-minded African American character like Dee in such a negative light? Is it problematic? Instructive?

In my opinion, it's productive. Dee is one of those people who embraces the symbols.... not the tradition. There are people of every color, and every walk of life, who do the same thing. The depiction of Dee doesn't necessarily relate to a progressive black woman. Dee could be Hispanic, European, Native American, or Asian.... it isn't the color of her skin, it's the way she looks at where she comes from. She doesn't embrace her heritage because she feels connected.... she does it because it speaks to appearances. She doesn't want the quilt for its emotional value, but rather a sense of prestige.