The Caretaker: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Flowers recur throughout the novel and take on multifaceted symbolism. When Jacob is away at war, Naomi makes plans to plant a marigold garden. Marigolds are a simple and hardy flower, representing Naomi’s straightforward and resilient character. That she makes plans for the future indicates her positive outlook and her optimism that Jacob will return from war and that they will continue in a life full of love together. Blackburn understands the significance of these flowers to Naomi, recognizing that they signify her commitment to Jacob. Because he, in turn, has made a commitment to care for Naomi in Jacob’s absence, Blackburn sets about planting the flowers in her absence. Further, Naomi intentionally chooses marigolds as the flowers to be placed on Jacob’s grave. Because Blackburn knows these flowers’ significance to Naomi, they prompt him to seek out the truth about the existence of Naomi’s child.

The marigolds both parallel and contrast the red roses that Jacob places on what he believes to be Naomi’s grave. Placing flowers on a grave is a traditional act of mourning and an expression of the love that the living person has for their deceased beloved.