The short story "Marigolds" by Eugenia Collier explores several themes, including:

• Coming of Age: The story centers around the moment when Lizabeth moves from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood. The destruction of Miss Lotties marigolds marks the end of Lizabeths childhood, as she experiences her first understanding of the world as complex.

• Poverty: The story is set during the Great Depression and depicts the struggles of a poor African-American family). The marigolds in Miss Lotties garden are the only splash of beauty and color in the town, and their destruction serves as a metaphor for the destruction of hope.

• Empathy and Compassion: Lizabeth initially views Miss Lottie as an object of ridicule and scorn, but as she comes to understand the difficulties that Miss Lottie faces, she begins to feel empathy towards her. The story illustrates that compassion is the essence of adulthood.

• Memory and Context: The marigolds in Miss Lotties garden are a symbol of hope and beauty in the midst of poverty and ugliness. The story explores the idea that memories and objects can represent important moments in our lives.

In summary, the themes of "Marigolds" include coming of age, poverty, empathy and compassion, and memory and context.