Chrysanthemums
"Chrysanthemums", by John Steinbeck is a short story written in 1938. Steinbeck discovered a new way of writing in "The Chrysanthemums". He began a new approach by displaying his characters traits by their self-image and actions. Elisa is a prodigy of his new approach. She is involved with various character traits that display her true inner feelings. There are signs of her personal issues throughout the story. Elisa Allen, whom Joseph W. Beach calls, "One of the most delicious characters ever transferred from life to the pages of a book." "The Chrysanthemums", depicts the life of a poor, hardworking people. A couple Henry and Elisa Allen live and work on a farm. The husband and wife seem to share uncommon grounds. They are pleased to be able to make a decent living, "but equally important are beginning to sense that not everybody can be satisfied by bread alone"(Lewis). They both have interests of their own. Henry is persisted into caring his livestock, as Elisa remains tendi!ng her garden of chrysanthemums. The garden is a part of Elisa, it helps her achieve and dominate her strengths. This way she can get others to appreciate her as well. She was content to receive a response from the big, hairy man who w
Elisa Allen portrays many characteristics as her situation is analyzed. She is occupied by loneliness, repressed feminine qualities, and sexism throughout the story. Her struggle for strength and happiness that doesn't meet her expectations is expressed through those characteristics. She compensates her longing of a different life by changing her attitude in separate situations. When she met the old and graying tinker, she was very irritated; however, content to their conversation. After struggling with her emotions and repressive feelings she brings it to a halt by accepting her fate. As she views herself as a withering old woman, it ends with a sign of strength of acceptance. Elisa is a very diverse character who overcame a challenging situation. orked through, "Pots, pans, knifes, sisors, lawn mowers, Fixed"(Steinbeck 349). Elisa decides to have him work on a few aluminum saucepans. After the comfort of another being complementing her on her garden, she pays the old man and goes to dinner with her husband. Elisa's actions and feelings throughout the story represent her characteristics of a struggling woman in the 1900's. She is occupied by loneliness, repressed feminine qualities, and sexism throughout the story. Elisa's loneliness is expressed through her relationships with others. Although her marriage seems reasonably happy, they only thrive on complementing each other. Elisa's husband Henry was proud of selling his 30 head of steers. She complemented "You've got a strong new crop coming," he returned the favor, "You've got a gift with things"(Lewis 3
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Approximate Word count = 1060
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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