Essay on "Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier

"Marigolds," a short story, by Eugenia Collier, presents the idea that "Sometimes there is an impulse to destroy what seems too beautiful." Elizabeth, the protagonist in "Marigolds," follows this impulse when she is frustrated with poverty, family dynamics, and growing up in the early 1940's as an African American child.

Elizabeth's frustration with her poverty is partially what prompted her need to destroy the marigolds in a neighbor's yard. In the opening of the story Collier conveys an image that categorizes the town where Elizabeth lives as unprivileged. Elizabeth's neighbors "wander" with searching eyes for people that would bargain "sweat in return for some meager share of bread." Poverty forces girls into "faded dresses that were too long or too short," and boys into "patchy pants." Poverty also frames a house as "grey... rotting," and with no features like "
Family dynamics also contribute to the frustration that eventually leads Elizabeth to destructive behavior. Elizabeth's hope dramatically lessens when she listens in on her parents talking one night. When Elizabeth wakes up she overhears her father complain, "Twenty-two years... and I got nothing for you." Later, Elizabeth's mother attempts to ease the father's pain, "Honey, you took good care of us when you had it." Eventually, through all of the sadness Elizabeth's father "sobbed, loudly and painfully." The man of the household is losing his position. He has not been able to provide for a long time, and his efforts seem futile so he cries. The knowledge that one's father cannot support them is devastating and Elizabeth is crushed by that realization. The hope of another successful job has faded when Elizabeth's mother tries to calm the dad. Lastly, hearing a man cry forms a helpless feeling that causes insecurity. When a person feels unsure or unsafe a thwarting emotion arises. As the families inevitable troubles are exposed to Elizabeth, her hope drastically falls, making her feel she has nothing to lose when she goes to kill the flowers.

Elizabeth's confusion in her maturity is the final instigator of her anger that leads to her destroying the marigolds. As Elizabeth begins to become less innocent, her mind spins with bewilderment. Elizabeth realizes her mind is going through major changes when "something old and familiar [ends], and something unknown and therefore terrifying [begins]." Her amusement begins to differ, "torn between wanting to join the fun and feeling it was a bit silly." Before any one knew, the child in Elizabeth was almost gone, "[I] flinched at the thought of [what I have done]." Overall personality changes, changes in preferences, and guilt all expose the woman Elizabeth is becoming. Because what Elizabeth doesn't know is scary, she is uneasy of the changes that may come in the future. When Elizabeth notices a change in her likes and dislikes, it gets her worried about what else may change her as a person. As days go by Elizabeth gains "compassion" and therefore establishes a sorrow for how poorly she has treated her aged neighbor. When so many emotions get mixed together at one time, Elizabeth feels unsure of the way things will turn out. Elizabeth does not know what to think or if what she does think is right so she takes out her frustration on the marigolds.