Character Study of Eliza Henry
Eliza Henry is a talented, strong-willed woman who will not take charge of her own life. In other words, she is a mass of contradictions. On one hand she yearns to leave her prison of a marriage for a more exciting and fulfilling life. On the other, Eliza realizes the limitations pressed upon women and does the best she can to make her situation better. Eliza realizes her marriage is in trouble, there is no passion between her and her husband, but she insists on staying because she believes that is what women in her position are supposed to do. "You made your bed, now lie in it" seems to be her motto. Eliza throws herself into her housework and her gardening. In fact, she cares for her Chrysanthemums as if they were her own children. There will always be a conflict in her mind as to what she could do with her life and what she has to do as a married woman. On the outside Eliza seems to be a cheerful, lively person; but she suffers tremendously internally. She devotes her time and energy to her home and gardens, she has a "hard swept looking house with hard polished windows and a clean mud mat on the front steps". All of Eliza's excess energy is devoted to her flower garden. From
Eliza's interaction with the tinker forces all her fears and disappointments up front. She is then forced to deal with and reconcile them. After giving the tinker some of the Chrysanthemum sprouts, she feels as though she has given her children a chance to do something she will never be able to do which is to leave and live a new, exciting life. Like most parents who live vicariously through their children, this seemed to comfort Eliza. It then occurred to her that maybe should could revitalize her own relationship Henry. During her bath to get ready for dinner with Henry, she "scrubbed herself...legs and thighs, loins and chest and arms, until her skin was scratched and red". To Eliza, she felt this way of washing would cleanse her mind of the improper thoughts she had for the tinker as well as wash off old dreams and ideals of what her life should have been like, she was ready to look to the future. "When she dresses, she puts on her best underwear and applies makeup to her face. By doing these purely feminine things, she hopes to accentuate her role as a woman" T, G. "John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums": A Woman Bound by Society" http://wwwnhc.nhmccd.cc.tx.us/public lack of affection, Eliza and her husband Henry, do not have children In Eliza's garden she is the mother to all the flowers. She treats each Chrysanthemum sprout as if it were one of her children, caring and cradling each one with loving care and commenting to anyone who will listen that her flowers have the biggest blooms around, and each year they get just a little bit bigger. "She makes sure 'no aphids,
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Approximate Word count = 1077
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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