Question

we know that a connection to theme can often be found in the title of a work as well as its major symbols. in “marigolds,” it follows that the marigold flowers and what they signify has a great deal to do with the overarching theme of the story. what does the adult lizabeth mean at the end of the story when she says that she too has planted marigolds? what do we think the marigolds have come to mean in the story? to answer, consider the feelings that the characters have had about the marigolds throughout the story: miss lottie loves and cares for them. the children do not understand why they are there—they confuse them. child lizabeth wants to destroy them. adult lizabeth has planted her own and values them.

Explanation:

The questions are about literary analysis, asking for the meaning and significance of marigolds as symbols in a story, and the overall theme related to them. We consider the characters' feelings and actions towards the marigolds to understand their significance.

Answer:

1. The marigolds likely symbolize hope, beauty, or a connection to values for Adult Lizabeth. For the children, they are a source of confusion. As the story progresses, the marigolds might represent a transition in Lizabeth's life - from childhood confusion to adult - like understanding and appreciation of beauty and values.
2. The over - arching theme could be the transition from childhood to adulthood, with the marigolds serving as a central symbol of this change. The children's lack of understanding and Lizabeth's later planting of them show a growth in perspective and values.