ELISA

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…

SA 2: "The Chrysanthemums" is a short story of John Steinbeck which reflects the frustration in the present life of Elisa Allen, strong and proud woman. This frustration arises from not having a child as well as from the dissatisfaction in a romantic relationship with her husband. The only possible way out for Elisa's frustration is her beautiful flower garden where she plants chrysanthemums. The author frequently uses chrysanthemums as a symbol as well as a number of other items in order to…

The shorty story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, deals with a person who is at odds with an unjust society. The story is about Elisa Allen who is unsatisfied with current life. Elisa’s frustration stems from not having a child and that her husband fails to appreciate her passionately as a woman (Kennedy). To ease her frustration, Elisa nurtures flowers in her garden where she grows chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums are Steinbeck’s symbol for Elisa’s inner self and the inner self of…

The chrysanthemums mirrors Elisa and her limited life. For example, Elisa is described as “lean and strong” just like the flowers in addition to “eager and mature and handsome” in her masculine gardening apparel. Elisa has variations with her confidence and strength throughout the story. For instance, Elisa feels strong and in control working in her flower garden but around Henry she cowers and stiffens. Also, the Tinker’s arrival and persistence for work irritates Elisa when she declares “I…

“The Chrysanthemum” by John Steinbeck In the short story "The chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck. Elisa the protagonist of the story is a strong and proud woman who owns a garden. This garden fulfills the empty space she feeling at her own house. Plating chrysanthemums is a way to release Elisa’s frustration. This is the only place where she can be herself and portrays what many other women go through during marriage. Flowers are usually associated with a woman because they represent beauty,…

Elisa is a lonely woman leading what seems like a mechanical life, her pride and focus is on her garden of chrysanthemums. They lived in Salinas Valley in the 1930’s where her husband raised cattle and she did nothing more then plant her garden and wonder about life outside of Salinas Valley. Henry, Elisa’s husband thinks like a business man and doesn’t share her glee to the garden. the tinker on the other hand in the process of trying to earn a buck, honeypots her with feign interest in them.…

examines a moment in the life of Elisa Allen, house wife and gardener. The story tells of Elisa’s experience with a traveling tinkerer who aims to earn a bit of money repairing their pots and pans. While the interaction with the man does not last long, it awakens something in Elisa that she had long put to bed. Steinbeck masterfully captures the suppressive life of an American wife in the 1930’s with realistic style. The story beings on a hazy December day with Elisa tending to her…

Elisa and Henry rarely engage in an intimate relationship and you can picture or imagine them as just being friends. Their marriage lacks any communication, passion, and romance. Henry is usually busy worker and Elisa is mainly working in her garden. The lack of romance between the two prevents them from having kids. When the salesman approaches Elisa, there communication brings a spark that she has not felt in a long time. It is stated “While the man came through the picket fence Elisa ran…

Necklace” by Guy De Maupassant is about Mme.Loisel, a trouble young lady who is ungrateful and greedy. In John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” the main character, Elisa Allen, appears to be a typical housewife with a pleasant life. However, Elisa’s character is anguished on the inside with feelings she has kept to herself. Mme.Loisel and Elisa lead two very different lives but they both suffer silently with lack luster marriages, an oppressed life, and the desire to be someone else. At first…

Elisa, the wife of Henry, gardener, and protagonist in John Steinbeck's, “The Chrysanthemums”, begins the short story showing little affection to others and isolating herself from her husband. She acts defensive around Henry, and the two are not close. They do not seem open with one another while they both show resistance. In the beginning, she sees herself as a strong and fully capable woman. She can rely on herself while gardening and does not need any help, but wishes to be accepted by her…