The Chrysanthemums: The Failure of Communication

A detailed Summary of The Chrysanthemums: The Failure of Communication

To begin with, the main protagonist, Elisa Allen is quite interested in growing chrysanthemums. Given that it is hard to grow the sensitive plant, Elisa's interest seems unusual. Yet unfortunately her husband, Henry Allen does not understand her mind; his interest is focused not on the point that she likes to grow it but on the possibility of making money with the help of her great inborn skill. Meanwhile, Elisa confronts a puzzling situation in which a wandering mender visits her house. At first, Elisa does not pay attention to the mender's suggestion to fix domestic appliances. In other words, the mender's attempt to communicate with Elisa goes down the drain mainly because she is so absorbed in her chrysanthemums. But when the mender notices that El

Feminism in Steinbeck's The Chrysanthemums At first glance John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" seems to be a story about a woman whose niche is in the garden. Upon deeper inspection the story has strong notes of feminism in the central character Elisa Allen. Elisa's actions and feelings reflect her struggle as a woman trying and failing to emasculate herself in a male dominated society. Elisa is at her strongest and most proud in the garden and becomes weak when placed in feminine positions such as going out to dinner with her husband. Steinbeck carefully narrates this woman's frequent shifts between femininity and masculinity over a short period of time. In the opening of the story Elisa is emasculated by the description of her clothing. She wears "a man'

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 514
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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