“The Chrysanthemums”, a short story by John Steinbeck depicts the typical life of people living in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Steinbeck focuses on Henry Allen and his wife Elisa Allen, who live on a small ranch in The Salinas Valley, California. It starts with Elisa doing what she loves to do, work on her flower garden, although she wishes Henry would care more about her talent of gardening. Even though Henry did end up complimenting her flowers she was not satisfied because she knew it was not genuine. It was not very often Elisa and Henry saw people where they live but as Henry left on this gloomy, foggy day a bearded large man appeared on a wagon. The man was wearing dirty and ragged clothes but Elisa was attracted to him because
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The story begins with Steinbeck explaining the gender roles of both Henry and Elisa. However, Elisa is illustrated as being feminine she is also described as being very masculine but is still limited to what a typical woman of this time did. “Henry compliments her on her gardening skills. But there is no intimacy in his talk; the two are serious and formal with each other, and when Henry attempts a bit of humor Elisa does not understand it” (“The Chrysanthemums”). The Author uses this quote to help the reader understand the relationship between Elisa and Henry. They are very formal towards each other and his compliments are misinterpreted by Elisa frequently. This can be seen in the quotation “You look strong enough to break a calf over your knee, happy enough to eat it like a watermelon” (Steinbeck). From Elisa’s perspective she was offended by this and asked him never to say it again, because she wants to feel pretty, not strong like a man. This problem of misinterpretation is what is the stem of their problems in their relationship and Henry is clueless to her sadness and …show more content…
Elisa throughout the story goes through a roller coaster of emotions. Starting from feeling satisfied with her life and her formal relationship with her husband. However, when meeting the tinker and hearing about his adventurous way of life and finally feeling appreciated, he brings out her happiness. Elisa is happy and has hope for herself that she one day could do such a thing, and that women would not be subject to the same typical chores all the time. Steinbeck explores the idea of her frustration by showing the misunderstood compliments from Henry and
The story begins with Steinbeck explaining the gender roles of both Henry and Elisa. However, Elisa is illustrated as being feminine she is also described as being very masculine but is still limited to what a typical woman of this time did. “Henry compliments her on her gardening skills. But there is no intimacy in his talk; the two are serious and formal with each other, and when Henry attempts a bit of humor Elisa does not understand it” (“The Chrysanthemums”). The Author uses this quote to help the reader understand the relationship between Elisa and Henry. They are very formal towards each other and his compliments are misinterpreted by Elisa frequently. This can be seen in the quotation “You look strong enough to break a calf over your knee, happy enough to eat it like a watermelon” (Steinbeck). From Elisa’s perspective she was offended by this and asked him never to say it again, because she wants to feel pretty, not strong like a man. This problem of misinterpretation is what is the stem of their problems in their relationship and Henry is clueless to her sadness and …show more content…
Elisa throughout the story goes through a roller coaster of emotions. Starting from feeling satisfied with her life and her formal relationship with her husband. However, when meeting the tinker and hearing about his adventurous way of life and finally feeling appreciated, he brings out her happiness. Elisa is happy and has hope for herself that she one day could do such a thing, and that women would not be subject to the same typical chores all the time. Steinbeck explores the idea of her frustration by showing the misunderstood compliments from Henry and