Symbolism in "the Chrysanthemums"

Nathan Thomas

March 7, 2006

Symbolism in "The Chrysanthemums"

In the short story, "The Chrysanthemums," the main character, Elisa Allen, is portrayed as a lean, strong, masculine figure. She is neglected sexually by her husband and later regains a new hope for her relationship. Elisa's femininity, frustration, hope, and eventual devastation are shown through Steinbeck's use of symbolism throughout the story.

In the beginning of the story Elisa is tending to her garden of chrysanthemums within the confines of a wire fence while watching her husband, Henry, across the yard talking to some men. Although the purpose of this fence is to protect her flowers one might also say it symbolizes an obstruction between her and Henry. Elisa is portrayed as a masculine figure. She has strong fingers and is described as having a lean, strong, handsome, and mature face. She looked blocked and heavy in her gardening attire with a man's hat pulled low over her eyes. The house behind her was depicted as being hard swept and polished with a clean mud-mat on the front steps. The description of the house hints that she was a hard working woman.

The pride and motherly love in which she carefully nurtures and checks each flower for harmful pests is a strong feminine image that shows her wish to have children. Henry's remark, "I wish you'd work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big," towards the flowers suggest Henry doesn't identify or value her femininity. This causes Elisa to be opposed toward Henry. Henry's failure to meet Elisa's needs of understanding and compassion leaves her at risk in the meeting of the tinker. At first Elisa refused the tinker's services, but when the tinker commented on the chrysanthemums her face lit up and her feminine feelings were renewed, hence the removal of the tattered manly hat to reveal her pretty dark hair. The tinker has given her the recognition she has desperately wanted from her husband, therefore he was invited into the yard. Elisa granted his wish to carry some chrysanthemums to a woman on his normal route. She presented him with a large red pot of chrysanthemum shoots and instructions of care for delivery. By giving him this pot she is giving him a symbol of her