The Chrysanthemums Symbolism Analysis - 1040 Words

Male 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 and women and the male dominance perceived during the time the story was written. Some of the symbols Steinbeck places in his story to represent this are the setting of Salina Valley, chrysanthemums, Henry’s apple orchard, a wire fence, and scissors.†¦show more content†¦The male dominance on the farm is immediately brought to the reader’s attention as her husband, decent but dull, excludes her from the important business of the ranch (Renner). In re lation, Elisa is isolated from the rest of the world in Salina Valley. Elisa’s flower garden is also shown as isolated as it is placed within the confines of a wire fence that â€Å"protect her flower garden from cattle and dogs and chicken† (Steinbeck, 207). It is from this fenced-in garden Elisa witnesses her husband and a ranch worker â€Å"ride up the pale yellow hillside in search of the steers.† (Steinbeck, 208). There is a tone in the writing that suggest Elisa is ready to escape the confines of her fenced-in garden and join the men on the hill doing something different than working in the flower garden. This illustrates the literal boundaries Elisa has, and boundaries society bounds women by. The fence around the farm also indicates boundaries society set for women and some of the same boundaries Elisa feels especially as she interacts with the tinkerer. When the tinkerer comes along, â€Å"the caravan pulls up to Elisa’s wire fence† (Steinbeck, 209) As the tinkerer explains the lifestyle he lives, traveling year-round and repairing things, Elisa become interested and tells the tinkerer, â€Å"it must be nice. I wish women could do such things.† The tinkerer replies in the way which society would at that time, â€Å"It ain’t the right kind of lifeShow MoreRelatedSymbolism 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 More The Chrysanthemums Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s, The Chrysanthemums, was published in 1938 in a book of short stories, entitled The Long Valley. The Chrysanthemums has been a rather powerful draw for scholars because of its wide gap for interpretations and analysis of its main protagonist character, Elisa Allen and also the unique descriptions used to portray the deeper meaning behind the setting of the story. Themes of sexuality, oppression of women, as well as other numerous types of conflict portrayed in this rather somberRead 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. 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