11 December 2007

Why marigolds? - Gamma Rays post #2

This is the second homework blog posting... Did you already complete the post on good literature?


It is due before class starts on Wednesday, Dec. 12


In The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Tillie conducts an unusual science project. She subjects three different batches of marigolds to the potentially damaging effects of gamma rays - a topic we addressed in a previous blog post. But why did the play's author, Paul Zindel, choose marigolds as the flower to use in the science experiment? Check out some information on marigolds at wikipedia and this information site on growing marigolds. Focus on the characteristics of the flower and how they grow... Then post your ideas about the use of marigolds in the story. What makes marigolds unique? When do marigolds bloom? How might the characteristics or qualities of this particular flower be a symbol that connects to important ideas in the play? Why might have Zindel used marigolds as the flower?
photo credit: Marigold by Floridapfe on flickr.com

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are beautiful flowers with long leaves, have a fuzzy stem, and can come in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They are a splendid flower indeed. They are different in many ways and it makes them stand out in a positive way. One way being the climate they grow in! Marigolds normally grow in the autumn while other flowers grow in the warm spring. They are considered to be the most versatile flower of all. Marigolds also are used to help many skin issues. (Like acne.)Another interesting fact on marigolds is that marigold petals are considered edible and humans may eat them if they desire.

The marigold is not only a special flower but also a flower that can be used to symbolize meanings in stories. One way to look at it would be to mention how marigolds can have healing powers. In the story we are reading, the marigolds can help heal the dysfunctional family were have met, Beatrice, Tillie, and Ruth. Another symbolic point of view would be that marigolds do not do well in cold or harsh weather. The marigolds can symbolize in our story the family freezes when times are tough and the world is cold. Other times, it grows quite well.

I'm sure there are other reasons as to symbolization between marigolds and the story. But, for now, we will just have to read more and find out!

Jenna, Period 6

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are beautiful plants that have log leaves and that bloom in the spring. They are mostly found in gardens and originated in the Mediterranean sea. They typically bloom in 2 months and are bright yellows, reds, and oranges. The marigolds are used to hail some skin problems and wounds. They are grown from seeds and you can find them in many different colors. They are mostly grown in rich soil and give off a smell that isn't so sweet. I think that the author of the play was thinking that since the marigold is used because it is a beautiful flower but the scene of the play is kind of a bad place and i think that he is trying to contrast that.
Said Annemarie Period 4

Anonymous said...

Even though marigolds are pretty and colorful, they are like no other flowers. Unlike other flowers, insects do not go near them because of their odor. Therefore, marigolds serve as the protector of other plants. They can also survive bad soil and the first light frost with only little damage. They can be used as a medicinal herb for common wounds and rash. They do not need much care as other flowers do which proves they are more independent and strong than other flowers. I think the author specifically used marigolds rather than any ordinary flower is because he wants to connect this flower with some character in the play. Since we are not that far on the course, I think author is comparing marigolds with Tilly. Tilly is shy, but she might prove to have strong willpower inside and be able to face the problems on her life. She is not treated nicely by her mother like other mothers. Her mother doesn't want her to be smart and go to school. Her future was already decided. Her mother might symbolize gamma rays since parents have great influence on their kids. The title of the book, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, probably means the strong effect Beatrice has on Tilly. This might bring positive or negative results.

Anonymous said...

A marigold is a unique flower: beautiful, precious, easy to take care of, but also extremely fragile. One of the things that make marigolds stand out from the plethora of other flowers is its late blooming time. A marigold will grow best in the last summer and early fall, a far cry from the average planting and blooming stage usually reserved for spring. A marigold is also incredibly versatile, and can be planted in any number of different regions, thriving equally in all.
It is not so coincidental that Paul Zindel decided to give marigolds the titular spot; many similarities can be drawn between marigolds and Tillie. Tillie is all the things that a marigold is; pretty, precious, and fragile. A marigold is a versatile flower; they can survive in many climates. Tillie is able to sustain life living in the dark confines of her house, sequestered there by her deranged mother. Tillie is still sane, and would be the same if she was a part of the happiest family in existence. Contrary to this strength is the fragility marigolds display later in their life. A simple frost can bring death to a marigold, and a simple mock can bring Tillie to tears. The play states that Tillie was embarrassed over the kids laughing at her at the science fair. Her fragility extends to home life as well; it is only a matter of time before she will not be able to withstand one of her mother’s tirades. Zindel probably chose this flower because of its dual nature; how strong and fragile it can be at the same time, just like Tillie.

Anonymous said...

The marigold is considered to be one of the most versatile flowers known to man since it is so easy to grow. The leaves are spirally arranged and the color of the flower heads can be from pastel yellow to deep orange. The ointment that can be harvested from the flower can be used to cure many skin problems from burns to acne. Flowers will bloom from the marigolds until frost starts to appear on the lawns.

I think that the marigolds are used in the story we're reading for a couple of different reasons. To me, the marigolds represent what a normal family could be like. The experiment Tillie is performing on them, exposing them to radiation, is kind of like what is happening to their family. The radiation represents a terrible misfortune, kind of like what happened to the family. The mother used to be a dancer and could have probably continued that career is she didn't throw her life completely away and she ending up the way she did, just like what will happened to the marigolds after awhile.

The marigolds could also represent a different kind of event. Maybe they are in the main title because they could heal their family, since the oitment from the petals can be used to cure certain diseases. It's not entirely clear yet, but I'm sure it will be as the story progresses. Peter per.4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are beautiful flowers that come in an array of colors such as reds and oranges. This flower can grow in many different locations and they can thrive off of almost any land. They bloom quickly, in the time period of two months. They are known as the flower of October for their colors and growing time. Paul Zindel used this flower for a couple of good comparison in Tillie. They are both described as beautiful, fragile, and well liked. Tillie seems to be able to live in any place, such as the old dumpy house that she lives in. The marigold is known to be a fragile plant as well. Tillie was said to have suffered mentally somehow and is also easily embarrassed by her family, mainly her sister.

Sean S., Period 4

Anonymous said...

What makes marigolds unique? The answer to that this flower produces a herb that releases an ointement that is thought to cure a range of skin problems from burns to acne. Insects don't go anywhere near these flowers because they produce a foul odor to the insects. Marigolds bloom in less than 2 months and they last throughtout the summer and also into the fall. Some characteristics of marigolds are that they are colors such as bright yellow, red, and orange. Throughout the blooming period these marigolds change colors and size. This could connect to the story in a way that as time goes on, Tillie will be like a marigold and change colors and grow up into something neither Beatrice or Ruth would ever imagine. This flower could also symbolize as the "treatment" that mends the relationship that Tillie has towards her mother, because marigolds cure a range of problems that people face.

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are extremely unique and versatile. They could grow in almost any soil in almost any condition. They repel against insects, and sprouts beautiful colors of red, orange, and yellow. They grow very quickly (within two months) so many gardeners love to plant marigolds in their gardens. Marigolds usually live through summer and all the way to end of autumn.
I think that marigolds were sued in this play because they go with the flow. They can grow and flourish in many harsh conditions, and when they do grow, they florish, and can fight against almost anything. This could mean that in order to survive in a dysfunctional family like the one in this play, you must be mentally tough and prepared for anything. I kind of thing as Tillie as the marigold of the family and Beatrice as the gamma rays.

Anonymous said...

The Marigold is a flower of extreme beauty; its bright petals, which come in orange, yellow, and red, all show how the marigold is always one of the first choices when it comes to flowers. Other then the flowers bright colors it is one of the fastest growing flowers and most versatile. It blooms in just under two months and can grow in pretty much any garden/pot that is in the sun. Other then its appearance, the marigold has “healing powers.” The oil from the marigold is used to cure skin problems such as acne and burns. The oils can reduce inflammation, control bleeding and soothe irritated tissue, all of these properties from a simple flower.
In the book, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds the marigolds are very symbolic. As of now, I can only make a hypothesis of what will happen. One of my guesses is, since the marigolds are affected with Cobalt 60 (a type of radiation) is that they will use the oils in this new and improved flower to heal something. My guess on who this will heal is Beatrice. Maybe she gets sick with a disease such as cancer, and these “gamma oils” will cure her.
Mike R, Per. 6

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are bright and cheery colors like yellow, orange and red. They have long leaves that are quite fuzzy. They also smell spicy, so spicy that they keeps most bugs away. Sometimes, farmers will plant them mixed into their crop so bugs don’t bother what they are growing. Marigolds are very easy to grow since they don’t require ideal conditions and are very versatile. You plant marigolds in the spring, but they don’t bloom until autumn, which is very late for plants. However, when they do bloom, it is very quickly. The idea of marigolds in the story is that marigolds can cure things. Maybe the experiment that Tillie does will fix the relationship the family has with each other. Zindel might have used marigolds because they can survive through tough conditions. Maybe this symbolizes that marigolds are not like the family because they couldn’t get through a tough time.

Megan Period 6

Anonymous said...

The Marigold, is a very versatile flower, with a long blooming time. They come in red, orange and bright yellow. They grow fast, and the leaves grow to about 5-18 cms. long. Although they are a favorite, Inside a home, they produce a strong smell. The Marigold, can be used to eat (Petals), and ointment from the flower, can cure burns. They're an excellent pet, and can help reduce presence of Aphids. Like Mike said earlier, The seeds have been affected by radiation. Colbalt 60, is used as a blue coloring agent in ceramic and glass. To me, The Marigolds, with C0-60, is used to cover up this dysfunctional family. The "odor" and "color" is what is used, to cover up what is, and has been happening inside this family.
- Sean H Per. 4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are unique for many reasons. Unlike other flowers that grow during the fall instead of the spring. ALso insects don't go near them because of their strongs odors. They are easy to grow and can grow in various climates and lands. Flowers will bloom from mid-summer all the way until frost. Marigolds like rich, well drained soil, but are very tolerant of average to slightly poor soils. SO like Marigolds, Tillie has great qualities and she is tolerant to other people who are bad. Both are beautiful but not usually recogined for it. i think Zindel used Marigolds represant Tillie.

Anonymous said...

Marrgolds are unique because of the way they can do some things that other flowers cant. And example of that would be the climates that flower can grow in. They normally grow in the fall, while most other flowers grow in the spring. They can have a couple of different colors. They can be red, yellow or orange. They can help heal wounds and akin problems.
I think that the author choose the marigolds because they can help heal wounds and skin problems, so it can help heal what ever is going to go wrong in the book. It is his way of droping a hint that somthing bad is going to happen possibly.
Morgan, period 6

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are a type of flower that have many unique properties, they can heal people when used as an ointment and are even edible. Marigolds are a very adaptable flower and can grow almost anywhere. One thing I found interesting was the meaning behind the name marigolds “it turns with the sun” I believe that this meaning could represent Tillie and how smart she is and how she doesn’t want to follow the path her mother and sister have chosen. It could mean she wants to find her own way.
Marigolds strive the most when planted in good soil and have plenty of sunlight. This reminds me of Tillie because she can’t grow and learn to be independent if her mother doesn’t let her go to school. The author, Zindel must have chosen marigolds because they such a striving type of flower. He’s trying to show how unique Tillie is and how wherever she is she is going to try to do her best despite her mothers anger and disapproval.

Anonymous said...

The reason that marigolds are unique is that there are a variety of ways it can be grown and kept up. They bloom in the spring/summer and die in frost. This type of flower might relate to characteristics or ideas in the play because it takes some work to keep these flowers alive. That is the same with any relationship, especially one connecting a dysfuntional family. Also, these flowers may look very pretty, but things are not always what they look like. These flowers have a terrible smell that can be used as insect repellent, and even people don't like it. This is the same with families because even if they look fine to everyone around them, there are problems hiding underneath the surface. Zindel might have used marigolds as the flower because the work you need to do to keep them alive will frustrate and anger the characters and cause issues.

Colleen period 4

Anonymous said...

Tillie chose marigolds in her experiment because they usually bloom quickly and are easy to grow. Marigolds are very unique because they can be any color between pastel yellow and deep orange. They also give off a spicy aroma. Another unique thing about marigolds are that they can be used as foods or to cure a range of skin problems. I think the author might have chose marigolds for the story because they are considered the companion plant. The other might have chose the companion plant because Tillie might need a friend to talk to when things get rough in her hosehold.

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are unique when it comes to colors and they do not attract insects. When it comes to the time of blooming for marigolds unlike many other flower that bloom in the spring marigolds bloom in the fall. I think that the author Zindel uses Tillie’s science project as a symbol of the three characters in the house because they are all different in there own way. And all the different atoms being put into the three separate plants and the effects on the plants can be what the characters do in the book too as things change for them.
Andrew Per.4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are very unusual and unique flowers. They are unique because they are versatile and easy to grow. This might symbolize the originality of each person in Beatrice's family. Tillie and Ruth are both unique and different in their own ways just as marigolds are different from other flowers. Also, marigolds grow best in sunny and warm locations and when they are given the water and food that requires them to grow. Children all have their needs that their parents must meet, so like marigolds, children need the right environment to grow and succeed. The equivalent of a disfunctional family could be bad conditions for marigolds. Flowers, such as marigolds, are all very special and different from each other. There are so many ways is which an author can use them as symbolism in a story.
Maria Period 6

Anonymous said...

Marigolds come in all colors. They grow specifically in the summer until the frost of winter, which is unusual for plants. Marigolds are unique because of their bloom and when they grow and because they leave a unpleasant odor so insects don't feed off of them. The marigolds could symbolize Tillie because she wants to learn and go to school and knows unusual facts like the marigolds blooming in the mid summer until winter, unusual. She is held back by her mother who ignores her feelings which could be like the insects avoiding the flower because of its smell. Marigolds could have been used in this play because it symbolizes difference in something and shows how growing up in a dysfunctional way isn't a bad thing, such as Tillie, being as knowledgeable as she is, growing up with a rotten mother who doesn't care about her feelings and an annoying sister who lies about her in school for her mother.

Anonymous said...

I think that the reasons that the authors used Marigolds in Tillie's experiment is because marigold s refer to the Virgin Mary, or taht 'it turns with the sun. It is possible that he chose to use this flower for some religious reason because it represents a deeper meaning in his religion.
A more practical reason that i found is that Marigolds typically bloom in under two months in bright yellows, reds, and oranges throughout the summer and well into the fall. So Tillie would be able to test the effects of Gamma Rays on these flowers relatively quickly because Marigolds generally grow at a faster rate than other flowers.

-Mike P. P-4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are an interesting type of flower. Many experts state that they are one of the most versatile flowers one can grow. They are so versatile because they grow easily in sunny or half-sunny locations and keep growing from Spring until the first frost of Winter arrives. I think the marigolds symbolize families in general. I think they symbolize families because they can grow anywhere and are rather resilient. I think Zindel used the marigolds instead of any other flower because they represent a normal family very well. Also, the fact that Tillie is exposing them to gamma rays just supports my theory. I think Zindel is comparing the marigolds to a family and the fact that gamma rays are potentially upsetting stimuli which can hurt the growth of the flowers is likened to upsetting stimuli that can stunt the growth of a family. The problem though is it might not do just that. I can't help but think the gamma rays will help the flowers grow that much stronger in some way by augmenting them to be able to adapt better.

Anonymous said...

Forgot to put my name on above comment

Dom D, period-4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are beautiful red or orange flowers that are very versitile and can bloom quickly in almost any surroundings. Not just are they beautiful, but they are also very unique flowers in that they can be used to heal. The oil from a marigold can be used to treat skin problems such as acne or burns and soothes irritated tissues in our body.
In the play "The Effect of Gamma-Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds", I think these plants hold very strong symbolism. As we learned in class, gamma-rays are a type of radiation that can be used to treat cancer. In the play, Tillie exposes these flowers to radiation. I think the title of the book definitely has something to do with this. Maybe somebody in this dyfunctional family will suffer from some kind of cancer, maybe skin cancer since marigolds can treat the skin, and Tillie's marigolds will be able to heal whoever it is. This may bring the family closer together and maybe the mother will treat Tillie differently.
-Chloe per.6

Anonymous said...

merigolds are an unusal flower that only blooms in the spring. They are colors such as red and yello and orange. They bloom in time periods of about two months. The unique thing about them is that they are sometimes used to treat skin problems. I think the author used them because they can be used to treat skin problems that in theory can be cause by gamma rays.

pat per. 6

Anonymous said...

The unsual thing about merrigolds is that they can be eaten by humans. The author may have used this flower to be used in the science experiment because parhaps the flower is eaten by someone or something the radiation could cause serios problems. Maybe it even further damages the functionality of the mother or the family. Maybe the rabbit eats it and causes major problems. If the rabbit did eat the radioactive marrigolds it could finaly play a signifigant role in the story. Marrigolds also bloom in the fall so that show us what time of the year it is in the story. It means that the marrigold would probably be the most abundant flower for the season and reason that Tillie used them.

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are a kool kind of flower. They are easy to grow and keep pests away. I think maybe one reason the author chose to use these flowers in his writing is because it goes along with the title ''man-in-the-moon marigolds'', the 3 M's make it a catchy title. Since they are so simply grown also, they could be easy for expirementation.
Dylan Per. 6

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are very beautiful flowers,they are also very unique.They are easy to grow,and i think the author used them because they are unique and they are probobly used for alot of expirements,and they arent heard of alot and the author probobly is trying to say that you really never know what to expect.Refering to the story and their whole family,anything can happen.it refers to tillies family because they maybe grow differently through out the play.

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are one of the most versatile flowers grown and are easily grown. They are grown in temperate climates from spring to autumn. Since marigolds are extremely versatile, the author may have used them in the story to symbolize Tillie, who owns the marigolds. It may mean Tillie is able to adapt in many situations. Marigolds have the power to heal. They can be used to treat skin problems and soothe the tissues in our body. Maybe Tillie will be their family's healer in a sense. There might me an issue within their family that comes up, and Tillie could be the one who saves them.

Lindsay, per. 4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are a very versatile type of flower which can grow in even harsh conditions. They bloom from mid Summer to Fall and are grown in a wide variety of colors such as red, orange, and gold. The ointment is used to help treat skin irritations and burns. Zindel may have used the marigold, as opposed to some other flower, to symbolize how Tillie's personality is different from her sister and mother. Although the conditions in her family are hard she still manages to try and achieve her goals.
Josh period 4

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are used in the play because they are very versitile. In a disfunctional family children and people around the adults need to be versitile because the parents can lash out at any moments. They are very unpredictable. Marigolds bloom in very bright colors such as red, yellow, and orange. In the play the mother and the older daughter use a bright red lipstick.The marigold is also used as a healer. This could show that the mother wants to try to get her life in order and make it better for her children. Marigolds also come in a varity just like disfunctional families. Marigolds can grow practically anywhere just like disfunctional families.

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are very unique life forms, not only in comparison to all others, but to theirselves as well. They come in numerous colors and heights-adaptations derived from how their guardians of Earth and Sky influenced them. Like other flowers, they prefer an abundance of sunlight and mineral-rich soil, however unlike the other feeble flowers, they can live lives in partial sunlight and semi-poor soil in three out of the four seasons. Most life forms will simply die if they aren't only exposed to their environments of desire. The marigold, like Tillie, is a special flower that's essentially impermeable to conditions that inevitably and unintentionally try to exterminate it; no matter what, it always conforms to its perils with infinite wisdom and beauty. I believe that when the marigolds are exposed to the gamma ray radiation, they will not survive. It's meaning is equivalent to that of a dysfunctional family. A marigold may be one of the stronger flowers, but it is definitely not strong enough to alter its environment, just like a meer child is definitely not strong enough to draw his/her own fantasy-oriented conclusions when his/her parents unleash their decades older and decades truer negative realities.

Anonymous said...

i think that he picked marigolds beacuse they can just about grow in any climate anywhere. i think that the reason why he picked the title The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds was beacuse he is realting to the chracters in the story and how the grow up going trough hard times

kyle per 6

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are very unique flowers because they can grow almost any where and they usually bloom in october which later then when most other flowers bloom, which can kind of be an example of Tillie because she is sort of a late bloomer. The flowers also are like Tillie because they can bloom almost anywhere, Tillie lives in a dumpy old home with a really crappy mother, but she stills is doing well and loves science which is like her blooming.

Anonymous said...

the use of marigolds might mean to stand for tillies life the three flowers mean one thing for all her, freinds, and family my idea is the aouther ussed the radiation as influence the bad kind and the good kind , the plants that used little radiation were normal or casual wich stand for her freinds, the ones that stood up to more rradiation were tillie, and the ones that used the most radiation was tillies family.

Anonymous said...

Marigolds are very beautiful bright yellow, orange, and red colored flowers with long fuzzy stems. The flower itself is very versatile. They are mostly grown in rich soil and give off a disgusting smell. I belive this connects to the book due to the dysfunctional families. Tillie is like a marigold, she's very versatile and different than the rest of the flowers.. (flowers often grow in the spring and they grow in autumn). Tillie is very different than both her sister and her mother who are both entirely wacked out and odd. Tillie is the beautiful marigold whose stuck in a terrible place [Tillie's home]. Tille's home is very bad for her because there's so much negativity there and if it rubs off on her... she not only throws her dreams away but is stuck living a terrible life.

Theresa p4