Clue 2

Q#1) Please draw a picture of a plot graph, using a mountain as your central image. Label all parts and get creative (add a mountain goat or two!).

- Exposition: In the exposition, usually the character and the setting is introduced in the exposition part of the plot. Also, the main conflict might be introduced here as well. It is mainly the beginning part of the story.


- Rising Action: In this section, or the part of the plot, the story begins to develop conflicts. The story also builds of suspense and interest.


- Climax: This is the part where the main character or characters come to face to face with the main conflict. In the climax, the character will also change in some way. This is the turning part of the story; or the main part.


- Falling Action: The conflicts are all taken care of; the situation and the story begins to settle down.


- Resolution: The story comes to an ending that is reasonable.


Q#2) Why do stories need to be structured? What does this reveal about our need, as humans, to construct understanding?
- The stories we write need to be structured and that is for sure. The stories are constructed by Exposition - Rising Action - Climax - Falling Action - Resolution. The story needs to be structured so that our writing will be heading a way to a one united resolution. If the story is not structured, the story's ideas and details will flow away in many and variety of directions. And eventually, the story won't make sense. It is basic stuff; if a group of people are constructing a building, they have to unite their thoughts into one idea; constructing a building. Also, the construction needs to be in a order and process or else, things will go bad. First of all, people need to unite their thoughts because if not, the building will have many missing fragments that needs to be filled in. If there are missing fragments, the building will eventually crash. Also, if the construction is not in a process, you won't be able to build a proper building. You can't build the 5th floor if there aren't 1,2,3,4 floors beneath. This is same for writing stories. If you don't unite thoughts and write in a structured process, the story will eventually be a mess. We always need process and united thoughts.

Q#3) After you looked at the plot graph and structure of "Marigolds", what new things did you see in the story that you didn't see before?
- I was basically able to see how the story flowed; how the story began by Lizabeth introducing that her memory was in fragments, and to the end where now she plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. It was very easier for me to understand the story after I wrote down the plot graph. I was also able to see why Lizabeth ran to ruin the marigolds and why she now plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. I also understood that Miss Lottie had her verve in the marigolds. One other thing I found out was that the story did come to an end with a reasonable solution; Lizabeth plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. Lastly, the story was easier to understand as I said earlier.

Q#4) What is the theme of Marigolds and how does the structure of the story make that theme evident?
- Just like other stories, this story too has a theme. A theme is pretty much how stories exist. The story is there to communicate the idea or the theme that the author is trying to say to the audience or the readers. In this story, Marigolds, the author is trying to say that as we live our lives, we will eventually face a moment where we will make terrible decisions because of our emotional movement. The story also talks about growing in poverty. In the story, Lizabeth comes to a age when her families' struggles become real to her. She realizes how poverty can drag down people. Through this, she also does a unforgivable thing to Miss Lottie. However, she later on realizes what she has done after the maturity.