Plot of "Marigolds":

"Marigolds" is a short story written by Eugenia Collier. The plot revolves around a young girl named Lizabeth who grows up in a poor neighborhood during the Great Depression. Lizabeth and her brother Joey know about their parents' struggles, leading to a sense of hopelessness and frustration. One day, Lizabeth, overcome with emotions, destroys Miss Lottie's prized marigold garden, a symbol of beauty and hope. This action turns Lizabeth's life around, helping her realize the importance of preserving beauty and innocence, even in hard times. The story displays themes of coming of age, loss of innocence, and the impact of poverty on a young girl. Definitely worth the read!

Thematic Analysis:

"Marigolds" explores several themes, including but not limited to:

1. Loss of Innocence: The story follows Lizabeth losing her innocence as she commits her impulsive act of destroying the garden. This marks the moment when she becomes aware of the harsh reality and the consequences of her actions. 

2. Poverty and Struggle: The time period and context of that era help set the stage. The Great Depression as a backdrop to the story emphasizes the hardships Lizabeth's family and others on the community have to face.

3. Beauty and Hope: Miss Lottie's garden of Marigold flowers are not only a sign of beauty, but also a sign of hope. The fact she is able to find some happiness through gardening in these hard times gives others hope that they as well can achieve happiness, no matter the circumstances.