How does the author evokes the mood at the end of Marigolds?

In "Marigolds," the author evokes a sense of profound realization and regret at the end through the protagonist's reflection on her actions and the impact of her destruction of Miss Lottie's marigolds. The description of the barren, harsh landscape and the symbolic significance of the marigolds serve to underscore the loss of innocence and the understanding of the consequences of her actions. The mood is one of sadness and introspection as the protagonist grApples with the complexity of growing up.