Marigolds By Eugenia Collier Analysis

[There was] a lot of growing up to do. A lot of times, [lessons are] learned the hard way” (Allen Iverson). In “Marigolds” by Eugenia W. Collier, Lizabeth struggles with the new responsibilities that come with changing from a little girl to a young woman. Part of growing up is learning right from wrong and accepting responsibilities for any wrongs done. Lizabeth destroys the marigolds and later feels regretful. She then, in honor of the marigolds she demolished, plants her own marigolds in her own garden. For the rest of her life she works hard to never hurt someone again. Lizabeth soon decides that, “this was the beginning of compassion” (5).

As a child Lizabeth had always spent the days playing with her brother. One of their favorite pastimes was to go annoy a neighbor, Miss. Lottie. All of the children would come together and hide behind the bushes. Then they would pelt the stunning flowers that stood in front of the poor, broken down, little house that Miss. Lottie shares with her son. The children would laugh as Miss. Lottie screams at them to leave. Although they know that Miss. Lottie hates them demolishing all her hard work, they thought that it was just too much fun to stop. On one

Lottie’s beautiful marigolds. In memory of the pretty flowers, Lizabeth plants her own marigolds. She wanted to show her, “wild contrition” (5) and wanted to keep a constant reminder of the crimes she committed. Lizabeth knew that she could never repay Miss. Lottie for the damages, but instead choose to honor her by keeping those special flowers alive. Lizabeth shows her maturity as she learns to deal with her guilt and shame. She only becomes a woman when she stops her childish outlook on life. Lizabeth learns that other people have feelings that can be affected by her actions. She changes her actions so that she would have a positive effect on any person she came into contact