The Chrysanthemums

A detailed Summary of The Chrysanthemums


As you know, women have often been portrayed as the weaker sex when compared to men but do not ask me why. It's been like that throughout the history of mankind. As a result of these assumptions, many women have been bravely trying hard to dissociate themselves from this frame of mind and become more independent with their lives. "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck is one story that addressed this issue by portraying Elisa Allen as lady who is unsure of her way of life and what she really wants actually.

The chrysanthemums in this story and other symbols showed us plenty about Elisa's struggle to find her own identity as a woman. I considered her opening appearance in the story is very manly but still showed a feminine side of Elisa. For Example, "Her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume." She wore "a man's black hat, clod-hopper shoes and heavy leather gloves". She was also wearing " A figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron." This shows that even though she is a woman, she still wear man's clothes. Despite her hiding behind these symbolic clothes she was still doing the seemingly "female" job of tending a flower garden. Her chrysanthem


The setting also plays a major role in the story. It reinforces Elisa's feelings of isolation from the world. The story is set in valley of Salinas, California. But with all its beauty, the location is like a prison in which Elisa felt trapped: "The high gray flannel fog of winter closed off the Salina's valley from the sky and from 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". Another part of the setting, which plays an equally important role, is the fence that surrounds Elisa's garden. It is a reoccurring symbol that represents the barriers that separate Elisa's garden from her husband and the rest of the world: "he leaned over the wire fence that protected her flower garden from cattle and dogs and chickens." These animals represent Henry's world while the garden represents hers. Henry always approaches the fence calmly and carefully never wanting to disrupt her wife's universe. On the other hand, when the tinker comes over, he is much more confident: "He leaned confidently over the fence." He is the first person who wants to enter her world. Later on, she decides to let him in her garden and, with that act, breaks the barrier that has isolated her from outside influences.

After the man left, Elisa feels happy. She rushes to take a bath and scrubs herself

Some common words found in the essay are:
Elisa Example, Salinas California, John Steinbeck, Elisa Allen, Chrysanthemums John, rest world, chrysanthemums john steinbeck, setting plays, flower garden, elisa's garden, john steinbeck, chrysanthemums john, elisa feels,

Approximate Word count = 901
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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