Lives Of Two Characters In Paul Fleischmen's Seedfolks

How a Community Garden Changes the Lives of Two Characters
Plants can teach us how to nurture living things and help people carry out their responsibilities in life.In Paul Fleischmen’s novel Seedfolks, two main characters who change because of the garden are Curtis and Sae-Young.Fleischmen’s vacant lot garden changes the lives of Curtis and Sae-Young, because the garden helps Curtis by gaining a better perspective of what he should do in life.Sae-Young was changed by the garden, because she felt like she was accepted and could socialize with others.
To continue, Curtis was full of himself and then realized he should think more about others than himself.That is why Curtis planted the tomatoes for Lateesha, because it is her favorite snack.

Curtis says, “Lateesha was always talking about eating ‘em out of her aunt's garden when she was a kid and how she wanted to grow ‘em someday,she probably thought I forgot all that” (Fleischman 53). This shows that Curtis has feelings about others than himself, because he finally realizes what he has done and says,” You do not know what you have until it is gone” (Fleischman 52).
Furthermore, Sae-Young was shy scared woman who did not even want to go to the store after she had been robbed at her dry cleaners. The community garden changed Sae-Young, because she felt unsafe then when she grows hot peppers at the garden she started to socializing with other people. Sae-young says, “When I wake up, I no more like to be with people, like before. Afraid of everyone, all the time. I don’t leave apartment for two months” (Fleischman 46) then she says, ”I want to be with people again” (Fleischman 47). This shows that the garden changed her from being a shy,scared woman to a person who enjoys being around and helping others.
Essentially, Curtis and Sae-Young changed drastically because of the garden. They became better people by plant plants in the garden. Change is an important part of life because it helps other become a better person. If people did not feel a sense of community we would not have people to help or encourage us to do better things in life.