Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums Essay

Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums In The Chrysanthemums John Steinbeck develops a theme of limitations. The story is essentially a man in the mirror story where the rigid Elisa sees herself for the first time as trapped. Although Elisa has recognized her life as limited and confining, she sadly accepts her life as is and does nothing to rectify her situation. In John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums symbolism of the fence, the garden, and the chrysanthemums help illustrate the story by striking an emotional chord with the audience. Primarily the idea of limitation or confinement is presented as the story begins: the high gray-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from all the rest†¦show more content†¦The Chrysanthemums introduces us to Elisa Allen, a woman who knows she has a gift for growing things, but it seems to be limited to her garden. Diligently working in her garden, Elisa watches as men come and go, living their lives unconfined, wondering what it must feel like to have that freedom. That emotion is revealed as Elisa gases at her husband and acquaintances talking, she looked down toward the men by the tractor shed now and then. As she tills the soil for her chrysanthemums Elisa tills the thoughts in her head. The garden she so desperately maintained represents her world. A world that will only flourish if nourished. Emotional nourishment and stimulation is what Elisa lacked and longed for. The garden is limited in space to grow and so is her marriage. The garde n is safe, non-threatening and so is her world. The garden contains many different elements that make it what it is, although unseen, and if the proper nourishment is not given it will die, as with Elisa. 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 theyll 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 aShow MoreRelated Use of Symbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums944 Words   |  4 PagesUse of Symbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      John Steinbecks short story The Chrysanthemums is about a proud, strong woman named Elisa Allen who feels frustrated with her present life. Her frustration stems from not having a child and from her husbands failure to admire her romantically as a woman. The only outlet for her frustration is her flower garden where she cultivates beautiful chrysanthemums. Steinbeck uses chrysanthemums as symbols of the inner-selfRead MoreJohn Steinbecks Use of Symbolism in His Book The Chrysanthemums611 Words   |  2 PagesChrysanthemums John Steinbeck is remembered as one of the classic American writers, and his book Chrysanthemums is no exception. The title of the book is a reference to the symbols and plot of the story, a Chrysanthemum being a symbolic flower for the protagonist, Elisa Allen. The story is set during the Great Depression, and therefore marriage by arrangement was common in agricultural areas, as finding food and shelter were more important than childhood ambitions, as Elisa learned the hard wayRead More Symbols and Symbolism - Flowers as a Symbol in John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums983 Words   |  4 PagesFlowers as a Symbol in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck      Ã‚  Ã‚   In romantic or sexual context, a woman is often said to be as beautiful as a flower. 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Themes of sexuality, oppression of women, as well as other numerous types of conflict portrayed in this r ather somberRead MoreSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck Essay1547 Words   |  7 PagesSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck The Chrysanthemums, one of John Steinbecks masterpieces, describes a lonely farmers wife, Elisa Allen. Elisa Allens 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 Allens frustrations and hidden passions. Isolation is another representation through symbolism found in The Chrysanthemums. Elisas failing detached marriage is representedRead MoreComparing John Steinbeck s Mice And Men And The Grapes Of Wrath1126 Words   |  5 PagesComparing and Contrasting Steinbeck John Steinbeck is a famous author known for many of his short stories, as well as the books Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. His works have been studied and analyzed often because of his unique ability to create symbolism from small amounts of text. â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† is a short story written by John Steinbeck, and was first published in 1939. It tells the story of a woman who feels she is capable of completing any task a man can, but is set back byRead MoreEssay about Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck700 Words   |  3 PagesSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck At first glance John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums seems to be a story of a woman whose niche is in the garden. Upon deeper inspection, the story reveals strong symbolisms of children, vulnerability, and connection--being the most important, of the main character. Elisa Allen is the main character who is at her strongest and most proud in the garden and weakened when she becomes vulnerable and loses her connection to the outer worldRead MoreThe Chrysanthemums Symbolism Analysis1040 Words   |  5 PagesMale Dominance Revealed Through Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums In Steinbeck’s â€Å"The Chrysanthemum† a story is told of a woman who loves to garden and tend to her beautiful chrysanthemums, a husband who tends to the matters of business on the ranch, and the strange encounter with a tinkerer. Each of these aspects create the story, but there is more depth than what meets the eye. Through Steinbeck’s short story one can recognize many symbols that represent the different gender roles of men andRead MoreThe Chrysanthemums973 Words   |  4 Pages Prompt: How do the chrysanthemums as well as other symbols throughout the short story show women’s role in society? A Potential for Equality   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Humans, just as flowers, cannot fully live without sunlight. They cannot develop without nourishment, and most of all they cannot flourish if not carefully tended to. Just as the Chrysanthemums fight to stay strong and meaningful in the short story, â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† by John Steinbeck, the main character, Emily, tries to do the same. BothRead MoreThe Chrysanthemums By John Steinbeck982 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Chrysanthemums† is a short story written by John Steinbeck. The story was originally published in 1937 before later being released as a part of his The Long Valley collection. This is an important story as it expresses women in a way that is more realistic, showing their true boredom, ambition, and capabilities. Some scholars interpreted this story differently, but C. Kenneth Pellow interprets it as â€Å"radically feministic.† The Great Depression was finally ending and women’s rights were r ising