Question

How does Lizabeth's character develop in "Marigolds"? Lizabeth comes to recognize that the world is too barren to create lasting beauty. Lizabeth changes her behavior after she recognizes that she needs to be a better example for her brother. Lizabeth learns that sympathy and understanding come from recognizing the truth about other people. Lizabeth matures when she recognizes that love is more powerful than hate.

Answer 1

Answer:

Lizabeth's character develops in the sense that:

C. Lizabeth learns that sympathy and understanding come from recognizing the truth about other people.

Explanation:

Eugenia Collier's short story "Marigolds" takes place during the Great Depression. The main character, Lizabeth, is a 14-year-old girl who lives in a poor neighborhood. The poorest and ugliest of the houses belongs to Miss Lottie, however it is the house that has a most beautiful garden full of marigolds. Lizabeth, her brother, and the other kids in the neighborhood often throw rocks into the garden and call Miss Lottie a witch.

The main theme of the story is about maturing and developing empathy for others. Lizabeth, while throwing a tantrum, completely destroys the garden of marigolds. It is only then that she realizes she was simply projecting her anger about her family's awful situation in life. She is finally able to see that Miss Lottie's garden brings a little bit of beauty into this miserable world, where poor people can only remain poor. Lizabeth leaves her childhood behind when she understands who Miss Lottie is, as well as herself.