Marigolds By Eugenia Collier 1969 What happens as the story unfolds? Include all of the events!

Answer 1

"Marigolds" by Eugenia W. Collier is a poignant coming-of-age short story that explores themes of poverty, childhood, and the loss of innocence. Here’s a summary of the key events as the story unfolds:

1. Setting the Scene: The story takes place during the Great Depression in a small, economically depressed town. The narrator, Linda (often referred to as "Lizabeth"), reflects on her childhood and the struggles her family faced.

2. Childhood Innocence: Lizabeth recalls playing with her younger brother, Joey, and their friends, often in a state of carefree innocence. They are oblivious to the hardships surrounding them, including their mother's struggles to provide for them.

3. Introduction of Miss Lottie: Lizabeth mentions Miss Lottie, an elderly woman in their neighborhood who maintains a beautiful garden filled with marigolds. The marigolds stand out against the backdrop of the otherwise barren and dusty landscape.

4. Peer Influence and Conflict: Lizabeth grapples with the conflicting emotions of childhood and the onset of adolescence. Peer pressure is introduced as Lizabeth's friends ridicule Miss Lottie, which influences her perception of their shared reality.

5. The Catalyst - Her Father's Despair: One day, Lizabeth overhears her father crying over their family’s struggles. This deeply affects her; she feels a loss of security and innocence.

6. The Breaking Point: In a moment of emotional turmoil, Lizabeth is overwhelmed by her feelings and the weight of her changing emotions. This culminates in a pivotal incident where she, along with her peers, decides to destroy Miss Lottie's marigolds.

7. Realization and Regret: After the destruction of the marigolds, Lizabeth experiences a surge of guilt and a loss of innocence. She recognizes the beauty of Miss Lottie’s garden and understands that it represented hope and resilience amidst dire conditions.

8. Miss Lottie’s Reaction: Miss Lottie, witnessing the destruction of her marigolds, responds with a mixture of hurt and understanding. Lizabeth realizes the significance of the marigolds to Miss Lottie, symbolizing her own struggles and efforts to bring beauty into a bleak world.

9. Reflection on Growth: The story culminates with Lizabeth reflecting on her actions and the transition from childhood to adulthood. She acknowledges that she has learned a critical lesson about empathy, understanding, and the complexities of life.

10. Conclusion: The narrative closes with Lizabeth coming to terms with her past, realizing that while she has lost her childhood innocence, she has also gained wisdom. The marigolds become a symbol of hope and the potential for beauty even in difficult circumstances.

Through these events, "Marigolds" captures the bittersweet journey of growing up, the struggle to understand one’s emotions, and the importance of empathy in human relationships.