<P> Shy Matilda Hunsdorfer, nicknamed Tillie, prepares an experiment involving marigolds raised from seeds exposed to radioactivity for her science fair . She is, however, constantly thwarted by her mother Beatrice, who is self - centered and abusive, and by her extroverted and unstable sister Ruth, who submits to her mother's will . Over the course of the play, Beatrice constantly tries to stamp out any opportunities Tillie has of succeeding, due to her own lack of success in life . As the play progresses, the paths of the three characters diverge: Tillie wins the science fair through perseverance; Ruth attempts to stand up to her mother but has a nervous collapse at the end of the play, and Beatrice--driven to the verge of insanity by her deep - seated enmity towards everyone--kills the girls' pet rabbit Peter and ends up wallowing in her own perceived insignificance . Despite this, Tillie (who is much like her project's deformed but beautiful and hardy marigolds) secretly continues to believe that everyone is valuable . </P> <Dl> <Dt> Matilda "Tillie" Hunsdorfer </Dt> <Dd> The main protagonist of the play . A quiet and introverted character who is teased at school . She copes with her life by immersing herself in science, hoping to reach a philosophical epiphany . Her untiring quest for her individuality stands in open defiance of her mother's wish for total control over the family . Consequently, she receives the brunt of the abuse . Tillie also owns a rabbit named Peter, given to her by her science teacher, Mr. Goodman . </Dd> </Dl> <Dt> Matilda "Tillie" Hunsdorfer </Dt> <Dd> The main protagonist of the play . A quiet and introverted character who is teased at school . She copes with her life by immersing herself in science, hoping to reach a philosophical epiphany . Her untiring quest for her individuality stands in open defiance of her mother's wish for total control over the family . Consequently, she receives the brunt of the abuse . Tillie also owns a rabbit named Peter, given to her by her science teacher, Mr. Goodman . </Dd>

The effects of gamma rays on man in the moon marigolds