The Chrysanthemums
Feminism in John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” at first glance seems to be a story about a woman whose hobby is working in the garden. Upon deeper inspection the story has strong notes of feminism in the main character Elisa Allen. Elisa’s actions and feelings reflect her struggle as a woman trying and failing to castrate herself in a male dominated society. Steinbeck smartly narrates this woman’s frequent shifts between femininity and masculinity over a short period of time. In the opening of the story Elisa is unnerved by the description of her clothing. She wears “a man’s black hat pulled low down over her eyes, clodhopper shoes, a figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron…” (295). When Elisa’s husband, Henry, comes over and compliments her garden and ability to grow things Elisa is complacent with him and very proud of her skill wi
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Allen Elisas, Elisa Henry, Steinbecks Chrysanthemums, elisas chrysanthemums, elisas husband, 297 drifter,
Approximate Word count = 589
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)
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