Backstory of Miss Lottie from "Marigolds"
Miss Lottie is a pivotal character in Eugenia W. Collier’s short story “Marigolds,” representing both the struggles of poverty and the beauty of hope. To enrich her character, we can explore a fictional backstory that delves into her life before the events of the story.
Early Life and Education: Miss Lottie, whose full name is Lottie Simmons, was born in a tiny, rural town in Virginia during the early 1930s. She was raised in a close-knit family that struggled with the socio-economic challenges of the Great Depression. Her father, a factory worker, and her mother, a homemaker, instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance. Lottie was a keen student, and despite the financial constraints, she was determined to educate herself. She graduated from her local high school with honors and won a scholarship to a nearby community college, where she studied horticulture and liberal arts.
Career and Social Status: After completing her education, Miss Lottie returned to her hometown and initially worked as a florist at a struggling local shop. When the shop closed, she took her passion for gardening into her own hands—transforming a section of her small yard into a flourishing garden filled with vibrant flowers, especially marigolds. This became not only a source of income, as she sold flowers at local markets, but also a symbol of her hope and resilience. Miss Lottie held a status in her community as someone who brought beauty to the poverty-stricken area, even if her means were modest.
Marriage(s) and Family: In her early twenties, Miss Lottie married a kind-hearted man named Harold, who shared her love for nature, but their marriage faced challenges due to economic difficulties and health issues. After having two children, the strain of financial hardship took a toll on their relationship, leading to their eventual separation. Tragically, Harold passed away from a sudden illness, leaving Lottie a single mother. Though life was difficult, she was determined to raise her children with love and instill in them the values of hope and resilience she had learned from her parents.
Later in life, Miss Lottie experienced love again when she met a widowed local gentleman named Mr. Buford. They shared a deep bond over their love for gardening, but after a brief courtship, Mr. Buford had to move away to tend to family matters, and their love story remained unfinished.
Hobbies and Interests: An avid lover of nature, Miss Lottie spent much of her free time nurturing her garden, which she considered her sanctuary. Apart from gardening, she cherished storytelling and often shared tales filled with lessons of wisdom with local children, creating a sense of community. In her quieter moments, she painted, capturing her garden’s beauty on canvas, finding solace in her art. Her resilience wasn't solely found in her flowers, but also in her deep appreciation for music—she would often listen to the old records of jazz and blues while tending to her plants.
Social Status: Though Miss Lottie's economic status was humble, her spirit and dedication to her garden earned her a unique sort of respect in the community. Many of the children in the neighborhood appreciated her, finding her to be a source of inspiration in a world that often felt bleak. While some viewed her as eccentric due to her bustling garden amidst the desolation, others recognized her marigolds and vibrant flowers as a symbol of hope and beauty in their lives.
In this backstory, Miss Lottie's character can be further appreciated as a resilient woman navigating the challenges of life while using her passion for gardening as an avenue for self-expression, hope, and community connection.