chrysanthemums
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
"The Chrysanthemums"
Steinbeck's "Chrysanthemums" contains many symbols that reflect the life of a woman named Elisa Allen. Although the first reading of this story might only tell of a woman who plants flowers, looking further into "Chrysanthemums" will give the reader an in depth look of who Elisa Allen truly is.
The title "The Chrysanthemums" has symbolism in itself. Chrysanthemums are planted by Elisa and are her pride and joy. Even though the story does not directly say the Allen's have no children, the fact becomes apparent in this symbolic image. The flowers are the only thing that Elisa can grow since she is barren, so she takes care of her flowers as a mother would take care of her children.
The very first sentence tells the reader that it is winter and the presence of fog is in the Salinas Valley. Steinbeck also describes the valley in which Elisa lives to be a "closed pot"(419, par. 1). This shows the reader a picture of death and loneliness of the protagonist...