The Chrysanthemums

“The Chrysanthemums” Analysis

In John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums,” vivid imagery of early 1900’s farm life sets the stage of a day in the life of Elisa Allen. She is gifted with a green thumb and pours her talent into her garden, making sure to delegate extra attention to her prized chrysanthemums. The impression given to the reader is that she is middle aged, though she embodies youth, enthusiasm, and is rife with unbridled passion. She is the epitome of excellence, of health, and all that health entails. Yet, she is somehow limited by her surroundings. Her zest for life, though not problematic in and of itself, necessitates activities and creative outlets that are simply unavailable on a farm, thus causing her much internal frustration. The only solace she has is the zeal with which she applies her floral expertise, which, while rewarding, falls significantly short of what she is ultimately capable of as a human being. “…even her work