Marigolds Questions and Answers
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Lizabeth's Transformation and Adult Reflection in "Marigolds"
In Eugenia Collier's "Marigolds," Lizabeth undergoes a profound transformation from childhood innocence to adult compassion. Her destructive act against Miss Lottie's marigolds marks the end of her...
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What is the theme or message in Eugenia Collier's "Marigolds"?
The theme or message of the short story “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier is that it is not possible to have both innocence and compassion. Though Lizabeth's behavior towards Miss Lottie is thoroughly...
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How does Lizabeth's destruction of the marigolds affect Miss Lottie emotionally in "Marigolds"?
In Eugenia Collier's story “Marigolds,” Miss Lottie responds to Lizabeth's destruction of her carefully, lovingly tended marigolds with numb sadness. She has poured all her energy and most of herself...
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Why does Elizabeth consider destroying the marigolds her last act of childhood in "Marigolds"?
For Elizabeth in "Marigolds," destroying the marigolds is her last act of childhood because her destructive behavior leads to feelings of compassion towards Miss Lottie. According to the story, a...
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How does the following quote from the story symbolize Lizabeth's loss of innocence and discovery of compassion?
The quote symbolizes Lizabeth's loss of innocence and discovery of compassion as it marks the moment she transitions from a naive child to a more aware individual. Witnessing her father's despair and...
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Who is Lizabeth, the narrator of "Marigolds," referring to when she says, "...as I desperately pass away the time...
Lizabeth, the narrator of "Marigolds," is referring to her earlier, pre-end-of-innocence self when she says, "...as I desperately pass away the time waiting for you, who will not come." She longs to...
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What are the three most significant events in "Marigolds" by Eugenia W. Collier?
The three most significant events in "Marigolds" are when Lizabeth and other children throw stones at Miss Lottie's marigolds, when Lizabeth's father breaks down crying due to his inability to...
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Why does Lizabeth in "Marigolds" get upset by her father's tears?
Lizabeth in "Marigolds" gets so upset by her father's tears because she has always viewed him as the metaphorical rock of their family. His tears reveal that her father has struggles himself, and...
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How does the author establish the tone in "Marigolds"?
The tone of the short story "Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier is somber and reflective. The somberness is apparent in the narrator's descriptions of the impoverished shantytown in which she lives and...
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Lizabeth's character development and confusion at the end of "Marigolds"
Lizabeth's character development in "Marigolds" is marked by her transition from childhood innocence to a more complex understanding of the world. At the end, her confusion stems from realizing the...
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Does the short story "Marigolds" contain any irony?
Yes, the short story "Marigolds" contains examples of irony. Dramatic irony is present because the reader understands the broader context of the Great Depression more than the characters do....
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What are Lizabeth's parents arguing about in "Marigolds"?
Lizabeth's parents are arguing about her father's inability to provide for his family. Her mother insists that she makes enough to keep them from starving, while her father expresses his distress at...
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How does Lizabeth's motivation for destruction differ from her earlier taunting in "Marigolds"?
Lizabeth's motivation for this destructive act differs from her motivation for taunting Miss Lottie earlier in "Marigolds" because it comes from a place of genuine despair. Unlike the earlier...
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In "Marigolds," how does Lizabeth's compassion shape her world understanding?
Compassion is the key to understanding both Lizabeth's life as an adult and the story of Miss Lottie's marigolds. Lizabeth can see that she, like Miss Lottie, was a victim of circumstances beyond her...
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What is the significance of the children's unawareness of their poverty in "Marigolds"?
The children's unawareness of their poverty in "Marigolds" highlights their isolation and limited exposure to the world beyond their community during the Great Depression. Without media such as...
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How are the conflicts in "Marigolds" and "The Osage Orange Tree" similar and different?
Both "Marigolds" and "The Osage Orange Tree" feature protagonists grappling with poverty, but their responses differ. Lizabeth in "Marigolds" destroys the marigolds, symbolizing her struggle with...
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In "Marigolds", what impact does the Depression have according to the story?
The story "Marigolds" is a first-person narrative that takes place in a rural black neighborhood in Maryland around the time of the Depression. The narrator and her family live in a small house with...
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What are five significant paragraphs in "Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier?
In "Marigolds," significant paragraphs include the last one, where Lizabeth reflects on her growth and understanding. Another important paragraph describes her family dynamics, highlighting her...
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In "Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier, which key words and phrases best describe Lizabeth's conflict?
Lizabeth's conflict in "Marigolds" is defined by her struggle with poverty and the loss of innocence. Key phrases like "impoverished," "sorrowful," and "futile" describe the entrapment of her...
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What does "Marigolds" suggest about what is needed for compassion?
In "Marigolds," Lizabeth realizes that to have compassion, one needs to look beneath the surface of another person and into that person's depths. She also understands that when one is innocent, this...
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Who or what blocks Lizabeth's success or happiness in "Marigolds"?
Her father's unemployment is what's standing in the way of Lizabeth's happiness in "Marigolds." And yet she chooses to take out her anger and frustration on Miss Lottie by destroying her marigolds.