The story of “the chrysanthemums” by Johan Steinbeck begin with description of Salinas Valley which symbolizes Elisa Allen’s depression and unhappy life. The valley described as “closed pot”(192) which symbolize her isolation from the rest of the world. Even though she lives with her husband Henry in the valley , but he neglects her, and had never given her enough attention or any kind of affection that any woman needs from her husband.
The author use symbolism throughout “the Chrysanthemums”. The chrysanthemum flowers symbolize Elisa’s emotions and spirit that needs love and care. Both Elissa and her flowers need love and care. There fore, Elissa expresses her feeling by taking care of her garden like if it was her “children“.
Steinbeck uses the stranger, the tinker to symbolize and present the outside world, that Elisa has not experienced yet. the tinker showed an interested in the flowers which she never got had before. He made her feel attracted as female confident of her feminine side. She even felt more confident when she had giving him the flowers. The flowers here represent as her dreams of having better life when she had given him part of her life. But in reality the tinker used her to get some business with her husband and make money. when Elisa sees the flower lying on the road, these hopes and dreams ruined like the chrysanthemum lying in the road. Steinbeck present dreams and hopes like flower that can damaged easily if no one take care of them.
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The point you made with the stranger relating to the outside world seems accurate and is represented well. While reading i did have a feeling that the stranger made her change her perspective on how she presents herself as well. There was a lot more detail to it though. But good point blanks otherwise.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on pretty much sumerizing what happens in the story. The most important part of the symbolism in this story was the Chrysanthemums.
ReplyDelete"The author use symbolism throughout “the Chrysanthemums”. The chrysanthemum flowers symbolize Elisa’s emotions and spirit that needs love and care."
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this statement. The lack of love and care she receives clearly shows in her caring for the chrysanthemums.