Marigolds

Marigolds: Miss Lottie’s Perspective

Eugenia W. Collier's “Marigolds” intricately weaves the journey of a girl caught in the throes of adolescence amidst the struggles of poverty and societal expectations. But what if we could view this tender tale through a different lens: that of Miss Lottie, the eccentric old woman whose marigolds became a focal point of both beauty and conflict?

Characterization of Lizabeth

Lizabeth, a young girl on the cusp of womanhood, embodies the tumultuous spirit of adolescence. Her dark, curly hair frames her youthful face, which betrays a conflict of innocence and burgeoning awareness. As she grapples with the weight of her circumstances, we see her inner thoughts surface; they oscillate between youthful defiance and an aching desire for understanding and acceptance. Her speeches crackle with frustration, particularly in the presence of her parents or Miss Lottie, and her actions often reflect her struggle to find her place in a world that feels both alien and confining.

Conflicts Involving Lizabeth:

• Man Vs Man: Lizabeth’s conflict with her father arises from her misunderstood frustrations, leading to an explosive moment that echoes their strained relationship.

• Man Vs Himself: Internally, Lizabeth battles her emotional turmoil; her transition from girlhood to maturity is fraught with confusion, rage, and a desperate yearning for clarity.

• Man Vs Society: Lizabeth’s role in her community reflects her struggle against societal norms that bind her identity. The expectations of her environment juxtapose her desire to break free and create her own narrative.

Exposition: Miss Lottie’s Day

The sun hung like a fiery orange orb over the small, dusty town, casting elongated shadows as Miss Lottie knelt in her garden. It was a serene afternoon, yet the sweltering heat wrapped around her like a suffocating shawl. The air, perfumed with the sweet scent of tall marigolds, clashed against the bitter taste of loneliness that lingered in her mouth. With brittle fingers, she carefully tended to the vibrant blooms that stood defiant against the dry, cracked earth, their golden petals shimmering in the sunlight. Miss Lottie’s heart fluttered with pride at her garden's beauty, a stark contrast to the dilapidated houses that surrounded her.

However, a twinge of apprehension knotted her stomach. The laughter of local children echoed in her ears, a melody that quickly soured as she recognized that it was Lizabeth and her friends wreaking havoc. That day, Miss Lottie felt the heaviness of her life’s loneliness more than ever; she was a caretaker of beauty in a world that often overlooked it.

Conflict

The primary problem looming in Miss Lottie’s life that day is the increasing hostility and disregard the neighborhood children have grown to show toward her marigolds. As she painstakingly tends to her flowers, an insidious feeling of invasion comes from the noise and mischief bubbling just beyond her garden fence.

Miss Lottie’s main conflict is Man Vs Society. Society views her eccentricities with disdain; she is an old woman living in a poor, black community where beauty is often eclipsed by hardship. The children, the very embodiment of that society, are manifestations of youthful rebellion, carelessly trampling her flowers, which symbolize her dreams and perseverance.

Moreover, a brief thought of her own waning vitality and impending isolation flickers in her mind—an internal strife woven into her external conflicts.

Rising Action

As the story unfolds, tension escalates. Peering from her window, she first observes Lizabeth and her friends gathering, their shrill giggles slicing through her quiet afternoon. Miss Lottie worries, her gut tightening as she senses the mischief brewing. “Those children have no respect,” she mutters under her breath, momentarily overwhelmed by her feelings of bitterness.

Her heart sinks as she watches them approach her marigolds, their laughter morphing into taunts and jeers. “Let’s see if we can kill the old lady's flowers!” Lizabeth declares, her bravado masking deeper insecurities. Miss Lottie’s heart races, a rush of fury and sadness mingling within her. “They’re just children,” she whispers, feeling both protective over her beloved flowers and hurt by the cruelty of youth.

Climax

The turning point erupts when Lizabeth, driven by an impulsive mix of rage and rebellion, tears through the marigolds that represent all that Miss Lottie holds dear. The wind whistles through the now-silenced garden as the bright colors crumble beneath careless hands. For Miss Lottie, this act becomes a profound emotional assault.

In that moment, the conflict of Man Vs Man—the confrontation between the old woman and the tempest of youth—reaches a boiling point. Lizabeth feels her own internal struggle materializing, while Miss Lottie realizes her flowers serve as a potent symbol of hope against a backdrop of adversity.

Miss Lottie confronts Lizabeth after the youthful vandalism. “Why? Why do you hurt something beautiful?” she demands, her voice trembling yet fierce, her sorrow crystallized into a poignant plea. This simple exchange reverberates through Lizabeth, sparking an awareness that transcends mere acts of vandalism.

Falling Action

Once the tumult settles, Miss Lottie is left contemplating her marigolds—now a patch of bruised memories and careless destruction. The children disperse as reality sinks in, and she can sense the unyielding sorrow within Lizabeth, so heavy it chokes the air around them. The flowers represent more than simplicity; they embody optimism and resilience. As she kneels beside the crushed blossoms, tears gather in her eyes.

In that shared silence, she sees a flicker of understanding within Lizabeth's eyes, acknowledging the weight of her actions. Though her marigolds are hurt, the moment unravels a critical resolution: Miss Lottie chooses to reconstruct not just her garden but her connection with the community, understanding that life continuously offers opportunities for renewal.

Resolution

The story resolves as Miss Lottie gathers the remnants of her flowers, allowing her sorrow to become a lesson in resilience. “Every bloom holds a story,” she tells Lizabeth when she approaches her again, apologetic and ashamed. “Just like every heart,” she adds, her words weaving a fragile bridge between them.

As Lizabeth listens, Miss Lottie feels a lightness in her heart; for the first time, she sees potential in the connection formed through pain and misunderstanding. “I will plant new marigolds,” she affirms aloud, a smile breaking through her sadness.

Through this act of renewal, both women find common ground: Lizabeth’s internal battle begins to lift, allowing her to grasp the beauty of empathy and connection, while Miss Lottie discovers that her marigolds, though ever vulnerable, can give rise to new beginnings, encapsulating the cycle of life’s beauty amidst the hardships faced together.

As the sun sets, Miss Lottie looks out upon her garden—although the marigolds may need caring hands to help them rise anew, she is not alone in this endeavor. It brings her contentment, not just as a gardener but as a woman who is part of a community that recognizes its own imperfections and capacity for growth.