Marigolds Short Story Quiz & Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is the author of 'Marigolds'?

Eugenia Collier

What year was 'Marigolds' written?

1969

What is the setting of the short story?

Rural Maryland during the Great Depression

Who are the main characters?

Lizabeth, her brother Joey, Miss Lottie, John Burke, father and mother Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the themes of the short story? (Select all that apply)

Maturity Signup and view all the answers

Does Lizabeth's father work?

False Signup and view all the answers

Does Lizabeth's mother work?

True Signup and view all the answers

How old is Lizabeth?

14 years old Signup and view all the answers

What time of the year does the story take place?

The end of summer Signup and view all the answers

What do Lizabeth and her younger brother, Joey, like to do during the summer?

They goof around after doing some chores Signup and view all the answers

What did they think of Miss Lottie when they were children?

That she was an old witch Signup and view all the answers

What did Miss Lottie do all summer long?

She grew and tended to her marigolds Signup and view all the answers

What are Marigolds?

Flowers Signup and view all the answers

What did John Burke do most of the time?

He just sat on the front porch rocking in the rocking chair Signup and view all the answers

Did the kids like the Marigolds?

False Signup and view all the answers

What kind of home did Miss Lottie live in?

The oldest and poorest home in the shanty town Signup and view all the answers

Name one important symbol in the short story?

The Marigold flowers Signup and view all the answers

What do the Marigold flowers symbolize?

We are able to create and see beauty even in the worst conditions Signup and view all the answers

When Lizabeth destroys the Marigolds, what does that event represent?

Lizabeth loses her innocence and has compassion for Miss Lottie Signup and view all the answers

Were Lizabeth and her brother bored during the summertime?

True Signup and view all the answers

Important lines in the story that capture the contrast of the marigolds and Miss Lottie's home?

'Miss Lottie's marigolds were perhaps the strangest part of the picture. Certainly they did not fit in with the crumbling decay of the rest of her yard.' Signup and view all the answers

Lines in the short story that describe how the children come to hate the marigolds?

'For some perverse reason, we children hated those marigolds. They interfered with the perfect ugliness of the place.' Signup and view all the answers

What line in the short story describes the narrator's realization of what the symbolic significance of the marigolds had upon her life?

'Whatever verve there was left in her, whatever was of love and beauty and joy that had not been squeezed out by life, had been there in the marigolds she had so tenderly cared for.' Signup and view all the answers

What lines in the story explain the meaning of the 'marigolds', the meaning of the story?

'For one does not have to be ignorant and poor to find that his life is as barren as the dusty yards of our town.' Signup and view all the answers

Why did Lizabeth destroy the Marigolds?

She was angry and took it out on Miss Lottie Signup and view all the answers

Why did Lizabeth's father cry?

He was sad that he could not find a job during the Great Depression Signup and view all the answers

What color skin were Lizabeth's family?

Brown skinned; African Americans Signup and view all the answers

How did Lizabeth feel after she ruined the marigolds?

She felt ashamed for destroying the beauty that Miss Lottie had created Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author and Publication

"Marigolds" is authored by Eugenia Collier.
The story was written in 1969.

Setting

Takes place in rural Maryland during the Great Depression, highlighting the challenges of that era.

Main Characters

Lizabeth, at 14 years old, becomes the story's focal point.
Joey, Lizabeth's younger brother, serves as her companion.
Miss Lottie, an elderly Native American woman, tends to her marigolds.
John Burke, Miss Lottie's adult son, is another character in the narrative.
Lizabeth's father struggles with unemployment, while her mother works as a domestic servant.

Themes

Explores poverty, the journey to maturity, and the complex relationship between innocence and compassion.

Key Events and Actions

Lizabeth is bored during the summer, often left to her own devices due to her family's poverty.
Lizabeth and Joey engage in playful mischief, which includes bothering Miss Lottie and her son.
Initially, Lizabeth and Joey view Miss Lottie negatively, perceiving her as an "old witch."

Symbolism

Marigold flowers symbolize the ability to find and create beauty even in difficult circumstances.
The contrast between the vibrant marigolds and Miss Lottie's dilapidated home emphasizes the theme of hope amidst despair.

Climax and Transformation

Lizabeth's destruction of the marigolds signifies a pivotal moment where she loses her childhood innocence and gains empathy for Miss Lottie.
This act of destruction stems from Lizabeth's emotional turmoil after witnessing her father's despair over unemployment.

Character Reflections

After the incident with the marigolds, Lizabeth feels intense shame for ruining the beauty that Miss Lottie nurtured in her harsh environment.
The story illustrates Lizabeth's realization of her own privileged perspective, as she reflects on the deeper meanings of life and beauty.

Important Quotes

A line captures the striking contrast of Miss Lottie's vibrant marigolds against the backdrop of her dilapidated surroundings.
The children’s hatred for the marigolds represents their inability to comprehend beauty amid ugliness.
Lizabeth articulates the symbolic importance of marigolds, acknowledging that one does not need to be poor to feel barren in life.

Family Dynamics

Lizabeth’s family is depicted as African American with brown skin, highlighting their social context within the setting of the Great Depression.
Lizabeth’s father’s emotional struggle is a catalyst for her actions, revealing the impact of his unemployment on the family dynamic.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the short story 'Marigolds' by Eugenia Collier with these flashcards. Learn about the main characters, setting, and the year it was written. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts alike.

Marigolds Short Story Flashcards