What Does Miss Lottie Symbolize

Miss Lottie is an elderly woman living alone in a dilapidated house on the edge of town. Isolated both physically and emotionally, she spends most of her days tending to her marigold garden, which serves as her solace and symbol of hope. Though she faces hardship and loneliness, her marigolds provide her with a sense of purpose and resilience.

Her backstory suggests a life marked by poverty and unfulfilled dreams. Likely with few opportunities in her youth, Miss Lottie has endured personal sacrifices and solitude in her later years, possibly due to the loss of a spouse or estranged relationships. Her son, John Burke, offers little companionship, leaving her to find comfort in her vibrant garden of marigolds.

Though her education is unknown,
However, despite the lack of appreciation from others, she takes immense pride in her marigolds, seeing them as a defiant beauty in her otherwise bleak existence.

Her house is weathered, with peeling paint and the smell of decaying wood mixed with the fresh fragrance of marigolds. Her skin is darkened and weathered from years of labor under the harsh sun, and her hands, gnarled by age, move with steady care as she tends to each bloom. Her voice is soft but firm, carrying the quiet authority of someone who has been both ignored and misunderstood for years.

Lizabeth is a young girl at the crossroads of adolescence, struggling to reconcile her childhood innocence with the complexities of the adult world. She is curious, but also angry, confused, and seeking control over a life that feels chaotic and unfair. Throughout the story, her actions reflect a growing understanding of the world’s injustices. Lizabeth’s Role in the
He is a foil to Lizabeth, embodying the innocence she is leaving behind.

Lizabeth’s Father.

Lizabeth’s father is a broken man, once proud but now defeated by unemployment and the strain of poverty. His sobs echo through their house, a painful reminder of the emotional toll the family’s situation has taken on him.

Primary Conflict: His main conflict is internal, as he struggles with feelings of helplessness and despair in the face of his inability to provide for his family. This emotional breakdown influences Lizabeth, causing her to reflect on the unfairness of the world.

Lizabeth’s Mother.

Lizabeth’s mother is a gentle and nurturing figure, offering comfort in times of distress. While her husband crumbles under the weight of their struggles, Lizabeth’s mother remains a pillar of quiet strength, doing her best to maintain peace and offer love to her children.

Primary Conflict: Lizabeth’s mother faces the external conflict of poverty and the emotional toll it takes on her family. Her calm, soothing demeanor is contrasted by the pain and turmoil of the men in her life, and she plays the role of emotional caretaker.