The Chrysanthemums

A detailed Summary of The Chrysanthemums

The role of most women in cultures has always been submissive and secondary when compared to men. In John Steinbeck's short story, The Chrysanthemums, Elisa Allen is a strong woman trapped in a dull marriage. She leads a boring, terrible life that is repetitive and stifling. Elisa is a character of circumstance because of her gender. It is her place in society as a married woman that keeps her from pursuing the other avenues and opportunities a man is entitled.

On every side it (the valley) sat like a lid on the

mountain and made of the great valley a closed pot.(?)

This reference parallels Elisa's life. She is also trapped in a closed pot by two things: her gender and her marriage. Her only escape from the doldrums of her life is the care and raising of her chrysanthemums. They are an extension of both her capabilities and femininity. Elisa is a strong character and is repeatedly told so by her husband, Henry. It's this strength that motivates her almost male-like behavior to situations as an almost therapeutic form of bucking mores of female roles; especially when it comes to her blundering husband, who does not truly appreciate her.

Henry has dominated Elisa and treats her like any othe

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before they could get started...(?)

...no aphids were there, no sowbugs, or snails or

r man would treat a woman in that time period. All his comments and compliments to his wife are back-handed and filled with sexist actions:

and chest and arms, until her skin was scratched and red.(?)

chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches

She stands in front of a mirror and admires herself, her body, and her femininity. She hopes Henry will recognize her needs as a woman and provide her with the romance and excitement she craves. It is quickly dashed by Henry's remark on her new look:

This indicates he is not genuine in echoing Elisa's laughter. The references to teamsters and sailors is another hint at his questionable ethics and morals. His intense interest in her garden ultimately leads him to his goal. Once he has acquired work, he almost forgets he has her bulb:

On their way to dinner, they pass the tinker on the road. Elisa looks back and sees her chrysanthemum bulb and sand on the road. The tinker kept the flowerpot. In doing that, he rejected her very soul, her femininity, and her hope. She realizes her life will not ever change and she succumbs to the horrible realization of being used by the tinker and weeps. By exposing her feminine side, she was figuratively raped. She tries to bring back her masculinity by offering to go to the fights with her husband, but it cannot shield her from the truth; she was taken advantage of by the tinker. Her exposure to vulnerability leaves this "strong" woman crying and defeated.

You've a gift with things. Some of those yel

Some common words found in the essay are:
Elisa Henry, Elisa Allen, Henry It's, , John Steinbeck's, bulb sand, strong woman, closed pot, masculine image, flowers symbolic,

Approximate Word count = 1139
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English