Abstract Steinbeck's short story "The Chrysanthemums" can be read as a feminist diatribe against women's commonly misplaced self-worth. The paper discusses critics who hold this view, and how it comes through in the story itself. Feminist interpretations of Steinbeck rely on a dualism that puts woman away from the labor of the land, but closer to the purity of art and society. This is an artifact of the era in which Steinbeck wrote, but also provides the inner conflict for the character of Elisa in the short story.
Abstract This five page paper critically examines John Steinbeck's short story, 'The Chrysanthemums' in order to extract the symbolism of the tale. It looks at the central characters of Elisa, Henry and the stranger to evict a deeper understanding of both the characters and the elements of the story. The writer demonstrates that through the symbols, Steinbeck expresses the undercurrent of frustration throughout the tale.
From the Paper "There are many famous short stories, such as Ernest Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants" which, although startlingly short, reveal major insights about both the central characters as well as humanity in general. Through heavy yet artful symbolism, an author can make something seemingly confusing or insignificant manifest itself into a hugely relevant detail. John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" is one of those tales. Utilizing a variety of symbols, such as Elisa's clothing, images of inside versus outside, fights and flowers, carefully placed throughout the short story, Steinbeck highlights the emotional separation of the main couple--Elisa and Henry--until it appears completely devoid of all hope for any recovery."
Abstract This paper discusses the herb known as Wild Chrysanthemum or ye ju hua. According to this paper, Wild Chrysanthemum is an extremely valuable herb in the use of alternative medicine to heal the body. This paper further explores the various medicinal uses for this herb.
From the Paper "Wild Chrysanthemum or ye ju hua demonstrates the great value of the use of herbs in alternative medicine. This single herb is extremely beneficial since it can produce four different extensive actions on the body. Ye ju hua is a cardiovascular relaxant, as well as being a hypotensive, antibacterial, and antiviral agent. The herb is used in alternative medicine in the treatment of minor problems such as the common cold as well as to treat the most serious conditions such as angina and cardiovascular disease. Research demonstrates the effectiveness of Wild Chrysanthemum, but it is never actually used unless in combination with other herbs."
Abstract The paper shows that in the short story "The Chrysanthemums," John Steinbeck meshes the elements of character, plot, theme, symbolism, point of view, setting and tone to explore the life and attitudes of one particular woman while at the same time exploring the nature of gender roles in society. It shows how the story makes use of the reader's expectations regarding gender to turn those expectations around, showing the woman as the strongest character and the most able to prevail over the weaker natures around her.
From the Paper "The point of view of the story centers on Elisa. The story is told in the third person, but the narrator chooses to keep the focus on Elisa and her actions, allowing the reader to see what she sees. This makes her all the more the central character end emphasizes that it is her reaction that is important. The other two characters in the story, Henry and the stranger, are important as they interact with Elisa, usually isolated with her flowers."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the short story, "The Chrysanthemums", by John Steinbeck. Specifically, it discusses the theme of the story and how it relates to the story's conflict and outcome. It looks at how Steinbeck weaves the theme of loneliness and isolation throughout this touching story of a lonely woman and her unfulfilled life and how the outcome of the story is as unemotional and removed as Elisa's life is.
From the Paper "In "The Chrysanthemums," Elisa Allen is a lonely and unfulfilled woman who has dreams of a far different life. She truly covets the tinker's independence and his power to simply pick up and move where he wants when he wants. She wistfully tells the tinker, "'It must be nice,' she said. 'It must be very nice. I wish women could do such things'" (Steinbeck 182). This theme of loneliness and dreams unfulfilled is woven into "The Chrysanthemums," and it makes the reader sad. Elisa illustrates what can occur when a person allows loneliness to take over, and the people close to them do not take the time to appreciate their desires and needs. Elisa is a sad and pitiable character because she seems to have no choice in her meager life, because of the constraints placed on her by her husband and society."
Abstract This paper examines how a feminist approach to "Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D. H. Lawrence and "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner reveals that, while both stories depict women that are struggling in a male-dominated world, the narrators are rejecting the traditional notions associated with patriarchal power. It looks at how both stories illustrate how gender determines much, if not everything, in one's life.
From the Paper "In "Odour of Chrysanthemums," we are also presented with a woman that is a product of the male-dominated society in which she lives. In much the same way as Faulkner, the mood of the story can be seen in the descriptions the narrator provides. For example, the story takes place in a mining town. While looking for her husband, we are told, "darkness was settling" (Lawrence 305) and the miners walked in grey somber groups" (305). The inside of her home is painted with dark images as well. For instance, when Elizabeth is eating with her children, we are told that John complains that he cannot see because it is so dark. The family is only together in a physical sense and even then, they are lacking the presence of a father. Mr. Bates would rather spend time drinking with his buddies than be home with those who really need him. Here we see how Elizabeth's world is darkened by her husband's very existence."
Abstract Throughout history, women have often been portrayed as inferior to men or considered the "weaker sex." As a result of these social assumptions, women have been fighting to dissociate themselves from this stereotype and gain their independence. This paper examines how John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" is a classic illustration of the frustration felt by woman before she was observed as being more than just her sex.
From the Paper "Elisa is first presented as a very domesticated woman. Living in a time where women didn't have much liberation, she is placed to perfectly fulfill her duties of being a good housewife. She is a young thirty-five year old woman whom is "lean, and strong and her eyes were clear as water" (477). The choice of words used, such as handsome shows her as not being typically "ladylike." She is exemplified as rough and somewhat masculine. Elisa is also proud of her chrysanthemums focusing all of her energy into her gardening work. As her husband is negotiating business, she is pretending to be deeply involved in such matters that are only to be for women."
Abstract This paper contains a literary analysis of Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" and Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." The writer of this paper details the shared themes in both novels including that of a woman trapped in a world in which her creativity and ambitions are hindered and oppressed by the men in her life. This paper also examines how both authors use effective and powerful symbolism to instill a painful picture of the conflicts experienced by the characters which convey the underlying themes of social isolation and gender oppression.
From the Paper "In The Yellow Wallpaper, by Gilman, an unnamed woman is quickly driven from a state of postpartum depression to madness by her husband's idea of a treatment plan for her depression. Written in a first person autobiographical point of view, Gilman treats the story as if it were a diary of the narrator, in which every word written is part of her entry into a journal kept through her stay at the old house. These entries are not meant to appear clearly thought out or coherent, but, rather, a series of scattered and random thoughts, as one may expect from a person suffering from mentally illness."
Abstract The paper shows via the symbolism of gloves and hands how Steinbeck portrays the ways in which the patriarchal society of 20th century America suppresses women's potential and thwarts their ability to live the kind of life they desire. The writer argues that chrysanthemums and their fate are associated with Elisa and her fate; when Elisa handles the flowers with gloved hands she uncouples the connection and becomes determined to accept her lot as a woman, but when she handles them with her bare fingers she becomes vulnerable in the clutches of her desire for a better future in which she would have more agency as a human being. In conclusion, it discusses how Steinbeck's book asserts that women's desire to overcome the restraints of a patriarchal society, in the reign of the same, cannot evolve into anything other than a quick puff of colored smoke.
From the Paper "In Steinbeck's story The Chrysanthemums, Elisa Allen is portrayed as an archetypal woman who tries to fit into a life style that is not suited for her, but is constructed via gender specific roles that she is unable to identify with. The story reveals her struggle to accept the life that she leads with her husband on a farm that, in its enclosure "from the rest of the world" (1874) mirrors Elisa's isolation from any possibility of new achievements by the elements such as fog; elements expected at this "time of quiet and of waiting" (1874) but nevertheless undesirable. Elisa's world becomes briefly unbalanced when she comes in contact with the traveling repair man, who allows her to make informed comparisons between the life that she would prefer to lead, and the paralyzing life that she currently leads. The symbolism of Elisa's use of gloves and fingers illuminates the change in the main character's psychological state and the cyclical nature of her entrapment and desire for escape. I will argue that chrysanthemums and their fate are associated with Elisa and hers; when Elisa handles the flowers with gloved hands she uncouples the connection and becomes determined to accept her lot as a woman, but when she handles them with her bare fingers she becomes vulnerable in the clutches of her desire for a better future in which she would have more agency as a human being."
Abstract This paper provides a critical analysis of "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck, focusing on his use of setting and symbolism. It also examines the theme of the yearnings of a frustrated farm wife.
From the Paper "In his short story "The Chrysanthemums", John Steinbeck presents a narrative rich in symbolism focusing on the yearnings of a frustrated farm wife. However it is not simply the tale of an individual woman's oppression but a commentary on the limitations that ..."
Tags: chrysantehmums, steinbeck, symbolism, oppression, women
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts Calixta and Elisa as married women seeking fulfillment in two short stories: "The Storm" by Kate Chopin and "Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck. It looks at how each women is tempted by a romantic male and their differing reactions.
Tags: Kate Chopin, The Storm, John Steinbeck, Chrysanthemums
Abstract In this paper, the character of Elisa Allen is examined in John Steinbeck's short story, "The Chrysanthemums." The paper discusses the influence of her husband on her emotions. The paper also treats the issue of feminine submission and masculine domination.
From the Paper "John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" was published in the late s when some critics consider his greatest works were published including "Tortilla Flat Of Mice" "Men The Red Pony" and " The Grapes of Wrath." The story is about Elisa, a farm wife who is sexually frustrated, lonely and in need of validation as both a woman and a human being."
Abstract The paper presents a comparison between two short stories, Steinbeck's "Chrysanthemums," and Hemingway's "A Cat in the Rain." The paper examines both stories through elements of literature; the narrator, characterization, plot, setting and symbolism. The paper discusses how these elements further the point of the work as a whole and the author in general.
From the Paper "John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway are generally considered to be among the best American writers of historical note. Certainly in reading and studying their work one can come to a better understanding of the writing craft as a whole. Here we will examine how the two writers use such elements of literature as point of view, narration, symbolism and setting in creating their work."
Tags: steinbeck, chrysanthemums, hemingway, a cat in the rain
Abstract In the short story, The Chrysanthemums, written by John Steinbeck, the protagonist Elisa Allen dreams of doing things in a man's world. Her dreams come alive only to be bashed as she realizes a woman could never do the things a man can in her world. This paper looks at how John Steinbeck uses five elements of short stories to tell this story about a woman who dreams to be in a man's world, but she comes back to reality knowing that she is only a housewife.
Abstract The paper discusses John Steinbeck's writings and refers to the fact that he has always infused his work with the issue of gender and tends to blend the men and women into a general view of humanity that is purposefully meant to see the "us" in the relationship between the two sides of the same coin. The paper states that this is the case with the two primary characters in his short story, "Chrysanthemums" and concludes that, in this story, Steinbeck is not only telling us that men and women are different, but he's illustrating that fact in an exceptionally small and effective context.
From the Paper "Henry represents a "typical" man, one whom Elisa must "set herself for". In their relationship, Henry is woefully ignorant and uncomprehending of his wife's archetypal feminine interaction with the world. Where he sees form and function, she sees beauty and spirituality. Nowhere in the story does this receive more attention than in the entire discourse over the flowers. Henry refers to them in terms of size and shape, emphasizing that his understanding of the natural world is directly connected to his job in which manipulation of nature and the total control over the natural order is the goal. For Elisa, building a relationship with nature, appreciating not only the beauty but all of the various aspects (both pleasant and unpleasant) of the flowers as a whole. We can understand that, for her, the connection of humanity to nature is one of mutual respect, of accepting things as they are, of communicating with nature as a caretaker. If we then, as the author wants us to do, take this relationship with nature and juxtapose it upon the relationship between man and woman within the context of the story, we can see how simply and fundamentally different men and women are. While they live in the same house, live off the same money, and function within the same society, these two people fail utterly to connect with each other because they do not share a common emotional language."
