In "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck, the role of Elisa shifts several times throughout the story, from the loving, sensitive wife, to strong, independent woman and back. This all comes about from a meeting with a traveling repairman. Her attraction to the repairman, and his apparent interest in Elisa's prized chrysanthemums, gives her a feeling of strength that she does not achieve from being with her husband Henry. Eventually, though, she finds that she was swindled, and returns to becoming an overly sensitive woman.

It seems that Elisa Allen puts almost all of her energy into her chrysanthemums, and that these flowers have become a reflection of her. Because of that, she works too hard on them.

"Evidence in the story suggests, that Elisa .

When the repairman shows interest in Elisa's flowers she becomes attracted at that moment. It almost seems like Elisa lives through her flowers, that they are a reflection of her.

It's obvious that Steinbeck use a shift in gender roles in describing Elisa's character. Her change from loving, quiet wife to strong, independent woman and back are what make this such a great story.

. . is talented and energetic-as well as frustrated. She cuts her chrysanthemum stalks with excessive energy; 'her work with the scissors [is] over-eager, over-powerful (Hughes, 23) '".

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 549
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)