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Gender roles, in The Chrysanthemums, are portrayed as very stereotypical. Men are the providers; the workers and women are dainty homemakers with only the purpose of cooking and cleaning. Steinback shows this when Elisa asks Henry about the men he was talking to. “Why, sure, that’s what I came to tell you. They were from the Western Meat Company. I sold those thirty head of three-year-old steers. Got nearly my own price, too.” (Steinback. Para. 15). This same stereotype is shown again when Elisa is talking to the traveling repairman, “It must be nice,” she said. “It must be very nice. I wish women could do such things.” “It ain’t the right kind of a life for a woman.” (Steinback. Para. 80). I like how throughout the story you sort of get the feeling from Elisa that she wants more than what is expected from her. Such as right after that last quote, her actions and response demonstrate this perfectly. Her upper lip raised a little, showing her teeth. “How do you know? How can you tell?” she said. (Steinback. Para. 85). She obviously wants to be seen as more than just a dainty flower. She secretly wants it to be known that she can do everything that men can do. Elisa, our protagonist, challenges the stereotype for women throughout the story. Near the end, she talks to Henry about the fights and he is shocked that she has ever read such things. “Well, I’ve read how they break noses, and blood runs down their chests. I’ve read how the fighting gloves get heavy and soggy with blood.” He looked around at her. “What’s the matter, Elisa? I didn’t know you read things like that.” (Steinback. Para. 120). She then continues to ask, “Do any women ever go to the fights?” she asked. “Oh, sure, some. What’s the matter, Elisa? Do you want to go? I don’t think you’d like it, but I’ll take you if you really want to go.” (Steinback. Para. 120). It is adding such comments such as “I don’t think you’d like it” that I think makes Elisa feel trapped in her place as a woman, which in turn... [continues]

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