Elisa’s Life in “The Chrysanthemums” Thesis: In “The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck talks about Elisa’s frustration for her lack of children, appreciation as a woman and realization of her life. I.Chrysanthemums are a symbol of her children. A.She protects them as if they were children 1.She puts a fence around them. 2.She keeps them out of the reach of pests. B.Her happiness about her ability to nurture them. II.Chrysanthemums symbolize Elisa’s femininity and sexuality. A.Henry does not recognize her femininity. 2.He does not appreciate her work B.The encounter with the tinker C.Her hopes about her marriage and life III.Realization of her life. B.The realization of the truth C.Her acceptance of her future. Symbolism in “The Chrysanthemums” The role of women in most cultures is and has been strongly affected by the role of man for many centuries. In the short story “The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck talks 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 husband’s 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-self of Elisa. Eliza tends her garden and handles the chrysanthemums with love and care, just as she would handle her own children. Elisa is very protective of her flowers and places a wire fence around them; she makes sure “no aphids were there, no sowbugs or snails or cutworms. Her terrier fingers destroyed such pests before they could get started” (1082). These pests represent natural harm to the flowers, and just as any good mother, she removes the pests before they can harm her children. The chrysanthemums are a symbol of her children, and she is very proud of them. Elisa is happy ...
