Jamie Antonino
Archer
11 Honors Literature
13 March 2015 Analysis of The Chrysanthemums
John Steinbeck’s short story The Chrysanthemums, about a woman who spends her time gardening in her husband’s ranch, conveys the idea that women do not realize their own worth and often settle for less than they should. Steinbeck develops this idea though the protagonist of the story, Henry Allen’s wife, Elisa. Elisa’s inverse transformation and internal conflict in her realization of her lack of fulfillment is signified through the chrysanthemum’s different symbolic meanings of Elisa throughout the story. Steinbeck first introduces protagonist Elisa “working in her flower garden” (Steinbeck 1). Elisa is dressed comfortably in her “gardening costume, a man’s black hat pulled low down over her eyes, clod-hopped shoes, [and] a figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron” (1). Her clothing reflects on her domestic role as a gardener and her comfortable, uniform life. Steinbeck emphasizes this unexciting lifestyle by stating that “it was a time of quiet and waiting” and that “there was no sunshine in the valley” (1). Despite the lack of excitement and sunshine, Elisa is still energized and active in her work, so much that even the “chrysanthemum stems seemed too small and easy for her energy” (1). She expresses herself through her strength …show more content…
He tells her, “Why—why, Elisa. You look so nice” (8). Elisa anticipates his admiration in her beauty, but instead he refers to her strength and goes on, “I don’t know. I mean you look different…You look strong enough to break a calf over your knee, happy enough to eat it like a watermelon” (8). Not only does this demonstrate Henry’s failure to recognize her femininity, but it also shows that Elisa is truly happy for the first time in her life. His response also demonstrates the Allens’ dedication to the ranch, which Elisa so desperately wants to
Archer
11 Honors Literature
13 March 2015 Analysis of The Chrysanthemums
John Steinbeck’s short story The Chrysanthemums, about a woman who spends her time gardening in her husband’s ranch, conveys the idea that women do not realize their own worth and often settle for less than they should. Steinbeck develops this idea though the protagonist of the story, Henry Allen’s wife, Elisa. Elisa’s inverse transformation and internal conflict in her realization of her lack of fulfillment is signified through the chrysanthemum’s different symbolic meanings of Elisa throughout the story. Steinbeck first introduces protagonist Elisa “working in her flower garden” (Steinbeck 1). Elisa is dressed comfortably in her “gardening costume, a man’s black hat pulled low down over her eyes, clod-hopped shoes, [and] a figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron” (1). Her clothing reflects on her domestic role as a gardener and her comfortable, uniform life. Steinbeck emphasizes this unexciting lifestyle by stating that “it was a time of quiet and waiting” and that “there was no sunshine in the valley” (1). Despite the lack of excitement and sunshine, Elisa is still energized and active in her work, so much that even the “chrysanthemum stems seemed too small and easy for her energy” (1). She expresses herself through her strength …show more content…
He tells her, “Why—why, Elisa. You look so nice” (8). Elisa anticipates his admiration in her beauty, but instead he refers to her strength and goes on, “I don’t know. I mean you look different…You look strong enough to break a calf over your knee, happy enough to eat it like a watermelon” (8). Not only does this demonstrate Henry’s failure to recognize her femininity, but it also shows that Elisa is truly happy for the first time in her life. His response also demonstrates the Allens’ dedication to the ranch, which Elisa so desperately wants to