The Chrysanthemums
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In his short story "The Chrysanthemums," John Steinbeck presents a narrative rich in symbolism, focusing on the yearnings of a frustrated farm wife. However, it is not simply the tale of an individual woman's oppression, but a commentary on the limitations that faced all women in early twentieth century America. Steinbeck uses both symbolism and setting to create a mood of isolation and longing. The reader is able to understand how a woman comes to feel trapped within her own life, and begins to resist the constraints that are forced upon her. In the end, Steinbeck conveys a sense of hopeless about his main character's plight, and though she may try to rise beyond her position, reality will always intrude and keep her entrenched in a suppressed role. "The Chrysanthemums" is the story of Elisa Allen, the wife of cattle farmer Henry Allen. Elisa works diligently in her garden, preparing this year's chrysanthemums, while Henry conducts business. As she prepares her flowers, a traveling handy man passes, and inquires as to whether Elisa might have some scissors that need sharpening or pots that require mending. She rebuffs him until he takes an interest in her chrysanthemums, explaining that he knows a woman up the road who would love to grow such flowers herself. Elisa gladly provides the handy man with a pot of clippings from her garden, so that he might take them to the other woman. Elisa is so moved by the handy man's interest in her chrysanthemums that
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s that society has placed on her. In addition, her print dress, which is indicative of her femininity and womanhood, is covered by a utilitarian corduroy apron. This seems to suggest that while engaged in the kind of manual labor that is typically associated with men, Elisa must cover up the traits that distinguish her as a woman in order to perform effectively.
At the same time, symbolism is used to demonstrate Elisa's relationship to the men in story as well. When her husband finishes his business dealings and comes to speak with Elisa, "he leaned over the wire fence that protected her flower garden from cattle and dogs and chickens" (Steinbeck 420). The fence that surrounds her garden is symbolic of the way in which Elisa is isolated from the world dominated by men. The garden, full of flowers that represent femininity and womanhood, is the only proper domain for Elisa, while her husband is free to conduct business with the outside world, as represented by the "two men in business suits" (Steinbeck 420).
As the story's title might indicate, the chrysanthemums are its most significant symbol. Steinbeck seems to suggest that the care with which Elisa tends her flowers is her way of channeling the frustration t
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Approximate Word count = 1395
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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