The Chrysantemums

A detailed Summary of The Chrysantemums

To have an excellent short story, it must contain a vivid setting that the readers can visualize, a realistic characterization that is easy to relate to, and a well developed plot. John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" definitely meets all these requirements.

"The Chrysanthemums" is set in the Salinas Valley in California. A place where sunshine shines off the river, but in December, it bathes in cold sunshine. "The high gray-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and all the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot" (326). The wintry weather blew a light wind from the southwest, which the farmers hoped would bring rain. The immediate setting is Henry Allen's ranch across the river. There is little work to be done there, the hay has been cut and the orchards were plowed up awaiting the rain. In the garden, Elisa Allen is cutting down the old chrysanthemum stalks. Steinbeck's description of the Salinas Valley is remarkable. The setting is an important part of the puzzle that completes a short story; it lets the readers visualize the scenery.

Steinbeck creates a realistic characterization in

The author develops a well thought up plot. While working in the garden, Elisa looks up and sees an old spring-wagon coming up the road. The owner is a big bearded man. On his wagon in canvas, "Pots, pans, knives, sisors, lawn mores, Fixed" (328) was written in crooked letters. Elisa watched to see if the wagon would pass by, but it turned into the road in front of her house. The man asks if she needed anything fixed, and her response was that she had nothing for him to do. She starts getting irritated by the man. As soon as he mentions her chrysanthemums, the irritation she had was gone. As she talks to him about her chrysanthemums, Elisa shows her feminine side and she becomes more and more feminine as they are having their conversation. Elisa's feminine side begins to emerge as she takes off her masculine gloves and hat. She is attracted to the man because he is interested in her chrysanthemums. The man tells her that he knows a lady down the road who has all kinds of flowers except for chrysanthemums. He said she told him that if he ever finds some chrysanthemums to try to get her some seeds. Elisa is thrilled by this comment that she runs to get the seeds for the man. She returned with a big re

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Approximate Word count = 812
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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