In "Marigolds," a short story by Eugenia W. Collier, Miss Lottie is an elderly, impoverished woman who lives in a dilapidated house in a poor community. She is known for her beautiful marigolds, which she tends to with great care despite her challenging circumstances. The marigolds symbolize hope, beauty, and resilience amidst despair.
Miss Lottie's backstory is not extensively detailed in the story; however, it is implied that she faces significant struggles in her life, including financial hardship and social isolation. She is viewed with a mix of pity and disdain by the children in the neighborhood, who see her as eccentric and somewhat strange. The marigolds she cultivates stand in stark contrast to her surroundings, representing her desire for beauty and normalcy in a life filled with adversity.
Through the eyes of the protagonist, a young girl named Lizabeth, Miss Lottie becomes a symbol of the complexities of adulthood and the loss of childhood innocence. Lizabeth's interactions with Miss Lottie and her eventual destruction of the marigolds mark a pivotal moment of coming-of-age, as she grapples with the themes of empathy, understanding, and the impact of her actions on others. The story ultimately explores the intricacies of human emotions and the struggles inherent in the human experience.
1 answer