Marigolds (short story)

In Marigolds story by Eugenia Collier, Why does this experience of hearing her parents fight have such a big impact on Lizabeth?

"The world had lost its boundary lines. My mother, who was small and soft, was now the strength of the family; my father, who was the rock on which the family had been built, was sobbing like the tiniest child. Everything was suddenly out of tune, like a broken accordion. Where did I fit into this crazy picture? I do not now remember my thoughts, only a feeling of great bewilderment and fear. "

Asked by
Last updated by Jill W
1 Answers
Log in to answer

Lizabeth's world is turned upside down when she hears her parents argue and realizes that their roles in their marriage seemed to have swtiched places. Lizabeth has always looked to her father for strength and guidance, hearing him cry shatters her vision. On the other hand, her mother, who had always deferred to her father in the past, now finds herself having to take charge and show the inner strength that her father has lost.

Source(s)

Marigolds