Symbolism In The Chrysanthemums By John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck’s short story “The Chrysanthemums” shows a time when women are controlled and restrained to a traditional lifestyle. It portrays a struggle for equality that is played out through the eyes of the third person narrator. In telling the story, the narrator depicts the story through speech, actions and appearances of the main character, Elisa. Her place in the story is that in a world of masculinity during the times of the Great Depression and a fight to keep a bit of her happiness and self-confidence as a women intact.

   A pattern of repeated words or phrases can have a significant impact in conveying a particular impression about a character or situation, or the theme of a story. In the story "The Storm," by Kate Chopin, and "The Chrysanthemums," by John Steinbeck, imagery is an integral element in the development of the characters and situation, as well as the development of theme.

John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" shows the true feelings of the main character, Elisa Allen, through the use of setting and her interactions with other characters in the story. By way of vivid descriptions, Elisa's feelings of dissatisfaction over the lack of excitement in her life are portrayed. Her role as a mere housewife and then the subsequent change to feelings of a self-assured woman are clearly seen. These inner feelings are most apparent with the portrayal of Elisa working in the garden with the chrysanthemums, the conversation she has with the man passing through, and finally, when she and her husband are going out to dinner.

In John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums”, he uses the chrysanthemums, fence, and garden to symbolize Elisa’s thoughts and feelings throughout his story. He uses these symbols to show love, neglect, loneliness, protection, and passion for his characters.

John Steinbeck wrote “The Chrysanthemums” where the protagonist, Elisa maintains her flower garden with a flower called Chrysanthemums. In a daily routine, Elisa’s husband Henry is a typical farmer who was busy with his orchard and steers, while Elisa, a housewife tends to her garden as the chrysanthemums were shown as Elisa’s children. Written by Susan Glaspell, “Trifle” was a play about Mrs. Wright who was put through an investigation where she was the main suspect in the case of her husband‘s death. In the play “Trifles”, the canary symbolizes a child for Mrs. Wright who’s also a house wife and she took care of that bird like it was her child. The bird (canary) in “Trifles” is symbolically similar to the flowers in the Steinbeck story

Elisa is especially proud of her chrysanthemums and how big they are this year. Steinbeck exhibited this pride Elisa portrayed as "she straightened her back and pulled on the gardening gloves again. Yes they'll be strong this coming year." Elisa worked hard at her garden and it was important to her. In fact it was the only thing she had to be proud of. For Elisa the chrysanthemums symbolized the work she feels she is capable of as a

"The Chrysanthemums", one of John Steinbeck's masterpieces, describes a lonely farmer's wife, Elisa Allen. Elisa Allen's physical appearance is very mannish yet still allows a hint of a feminine side to peek through. John Steinbeck brings symbolism into play to represent Elisa Allen's frustrations and hidden passions. Isolation is another representation through symbolism found in "The Chrysanthemums." Elisa's failing detached marriage is represented through two symbols. The two reoccurring symbols are the chrysanthemums and fences. John Steinbeck draws pity from the reader for Elisa Allen who desperately wishes to experience the passions of a fulfilling marriage and the stimulation of

As one grows older the playful times and careless nights of excitement come to an end. The years of having no chores or responsibilities closes and a new door opens. Once of appropriate age and maturity the real world begins to set in. After a short time in the real world one realizes that they are not all-powerful. In fact they fall subject to society’s dominating rule over our decisions and desires.

John Steinbeck Uses Symbolism to show how the main characters have hope in there american dream.  Hope is symbolised as light and hopelessness is symbolised as dark, in the book the characters notice “When Curleys wife first apears in the bunkhouse, both lennie and george notice the rectange of sunshine in the doorway is cut off.”  When they first arrive full of hope with the sunshine(light) coming in through the door than Curleys wife blocks it, it symbolsis that Curelys wife is blocking off there hope for there american dream.  This qoute is also foreshadowing that Curelys wife will also will ruin there american dream and cut of all of the little hope they have left.  He also uses the of the sun in the seanory of each paragraph “The sun came

“The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, is about a woman named Elisa Allen who is frustrated with her present day life due to her marriage. Her relationship with her husband lacks romanticism and connection. The chrysanthemums she grows are her outlet where all her problems and frustration disappear. In a way, her chrysanthemums are what keeps her going and provide her only source of joy. The chrysanthemums represent herself, strong and beautiful yet unimportant to the world that surrounds her.

John Steinbeck's short story "The Chrysanthemums" is impeccably written because he creates a setting using vivid imagery and diction, and he also uses the curious man to leave an impression on Elisa. Steinbeck creates a beautiful scene by describing the sky and the Allen's beautiful picturesque home. The story is slow to build, which is due to the dialogue, however, it does eventually get to the climax of the story. The man who appears to be a haggler seems to have a soft spot for Elisa. I assumed that the man was trying to take the plant roots so he can make some money, but later when she passes him on the road, I begin to wonder if that is really the case. Elisa takes their conversation to heart, and then later lashes out at her husband,

“The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck is a story about the risk of opening up to people that we shouldn’t. The story begins with the description of the isolated California homestead, and transitions into the isolation of Elisa Allen, the main character. The story begins with her watching men debate a business deal. After the deal comes through, her husband comes and tells her that they are going out tonight to celebrate after he leaves to corral their cows. When he leaves, a craftsman comes through looking to fix some pots and pans in return for money. Elisa declines the service, so the craftsman decides to get her to loosen up by talking about her favorite thing; her Chrysanthemums. After doing that she decides

Steinbeck uses chrysanthemum’s to symbolize Elisa’s strength and power in order to show how societal standards cause women to miss out on opportunities and become frustrated with the confinement of their expression. “[Elisa] was cutting down the old year's chrysanthemum stalks with a pair of short and powerful scissors. She looked down toward the men by the tractor shed now and then. Her face was eager and mature and handsome; even her work with the scissors was over-eager, over-powerful.” Chrysanthemum stalks require a great deal of force to be cut down, which is highlighted through Elisa’s use of “powerful scissors.” Ordinarily, flowers are portrayed as beautiful and delicate; however, chrysanthemums are sturdy and tough. Steinbeck chose specifically to use chrysanthemums because they symbolize the strength Elisa has; she is confident, empowered, and masculine, but all of her strength is confined within the standards of society just as the chrysanthemums are confined within the walls of her garden. Elisa, as a woman, is unable to express herself as strong, masculine, and proud because that was not the standard that women were held to during that time; her expression is confined to her work in the garden with her chrysanthemums, and it is frustrating for her to miss out on the opportunities that would showcase her strength and let it be appreciated by her husband and the mender because of the standard of delicacy and beauty that women are held to.

William Booth once said, “Don’t be deceived by appearances-men and things are not what they seem.” In the novella, The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, both people and symbols can confirm this quote. John Steinbeck frequently used different people and objects to show that something that may seem good, actually is the opposite. Simple things that readers may not notice have different meanings-such as the doctor, the mountains, and most importantly, the pearl. Steinbeck shows that things are not always what they seem to be through characters and

Their are times in life when we all get so busy that we forget to make time for people we care about. This is because we take each other for granted and push aside the important things such as having fun, talking to each other and enjoying life with each other to deal with things we consider to be more important and concerning. This type of situation is becoming way too common in todays society with people connected with their work and that we no longer spend time with people in person which can affect an individuals emotions and well being. In the story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck a couple have issues with their relationship due to being overworked and not spending enough time together. The relationship and situation of the character is shown by the landscape, the deep issues between them and how they grow and change because of it.