Question

what is and example of personification in the short story marigolds and what was the authors purpose for using it

Answer 1

In the short story 'Marigolds,' personification is used to portray the weather as a threatening antagonist and the flowers as exhausted friends, echoing the characters' emotions and creating a vivid emotional landscape that deepens the narrative.

Step-by-step explanation:

An example of personification in the short story Marigolds is how the weather is described as an antagonist. Words like "threatening," "cheerless," and "gloomy" give the non-human entity ominous human traits, and the act of it 'seizing' the breath of characters suggests an aggressive, almost sentient behavior. Similarly, the marigolds are given human-like qualities; they are depicted as friends that "reel and dance" and "rest their heads" from exhaustion which parallels the human characters' moments of weariness.

The author's purpose for using personification in Marigolds is to create a vivid emotional landscape that mirrors the protagonist's inner feelings. By ascribing human characteristics to the natural environment, the author allows readers to better engage with the protagonist's experiences and draws a parallel between the human condition and the natural world. This technique enriches the emotional depth of the story and invites readers to contemplate the connection between humans and nature.

Answer 2

~Hi hope this helps

The story personifies the Marigold flowers in a multitude of different ways. The flowers are often seen as a representation of the creation of beauty even during difficult conditions. Yet, when the Marigolds are destroyed by Lizabeth it can be inferred that Lizabeth lost her innocence and then became compassionate for she knew she had made a mistake.