Marigolds Short Story Handout
Marigolds Short Story Handout
Summary-
Beginning-
Lizabeth reflects on childhood, with flashback how during the summer she transitioned from child to woman she describes her hometown
Explains how during the summer she transitioned from child to women
Middle-
Reader is introduced to Liz
14 years old, seen as leader of children because of age
Leeds other children into Miss Lottie’s yard and begins to throw stones at Marigolds. later that night she begins to regret what she has done.
Climax-
She hears her father crying about how he lost his job.
Becomes angry and runs out to Miss Lottie’s yard.
She then destroys all of her Marigolds out of jealousy and anger.
Miss Lottie sees her doing this and Liz realizes what she has just done.
This is where Liz transactions from a girl to a woman when she sees Miss Lottie.
Summary/critique-
The story is about a girl who one night, in a fit of rage, destroys her neighbor's (Miss Lottie) marigolds. Seeing her neighbor in pain she feels compassion toward her and realizes she has matured and left childhood. The theme of the story is a very well-thought out and powerful theme, however the pacing of the story is not rather slow.
The Author
Eugenia Collier was born in 1928 best-known as the author of the 1969 award-winning short story “Marigolds”
She released other short stories and plays such as “Sweet Potato Pie” and the play “Ricky”, before retiring in 1996
Character discussion-
Lizbeth:
Lizbeth is a 14 year old girl. She is growing up in the depression, in an impoverished family and town. She is adventurous and wild, but at the same time, gentle and caring. She is at the stage, when a girl changes to a woman, and throughout this story, we see the change in her.
Joey:
Joey is Lizbeth's younger brother. He is also very wild and tries to act alot older than he really is. He a lso tries to be braver than he is and that tends to backfire, because he often has to lean on Lizbeth for help and support.
Miss Lottie:
Miss Lottie
Summary-
Beginning-
Lizabeth reflects on childhood, with flashback how during the summer she transitioned from child to woman she describes her hometown
Explains how during the summer she transitioned from child to women
Middle-
Reader is introduced to Liz
14 years old, seen as leader of children because of age
Leeds other children into Miss Lottie’s yard and begins to throw stones at Marigolds. later that night she begins to regret what she has done.
Climax-
She hears her father crying about how he lost his job.
Becomes angry and runs out to Miss Lottie’s yard.
She then destroys all of her Marigolds out of jealousy and anger.
Miss Lottie sees her doing this and Liz realizes what she has just done.
This is where Liz transactions from a girl to a woman when she sees Miss Lottie.
Summary/critique-
The story is about a girl who one night, in a fit of rage, destroys her neighbor's (Miss Lottie) marigolds. Seeing her neighbor in pain she feels compassion toward her and realizes she has matured and left childhood. The theme of the story is a very well-thought out and powerful theme, however the pacing of the story is not rather slow.
The Author
Eugenia Collier was born in 1928 best-known as the author of the 1969 award-winning short story “Marigolds”
She released other short stories and plays such as “Sweet Potato Pie” and the play “Ricky”, before retiring in 1996
Character discussion-
Lizbeth:
Lizbeth is a 14 year old girl. She is growing up in the depression, in an impoverished family and town. She is adventurous and wild, but at the same time, gentle and caring. She is at the stage, when a girl changes to a woman, and throughout this story, we see the change in her.
Joey:
Joey is Lizbeth's younger brother. He is also very wild and tries to act alot older than he really is. He a lso tries to be braver than he is and that tends to backfire, because he often has to lean on Lizbeth for help and support.
Miss Lottie:
Miss Lottie