In John Steinbeck’s “Chrysanthemums” he hauntingly weaves a tale of repression. He explores creative‚ sexual and feminine repression that are all felt poignantly by his main character Elisa Allen. Although Elisa is described as strong we learn that she appears to be quite the opposite and spends her days feeling vulnerable and frustrated. As the story opens Elisa is working in her flower garden‚ tending her beloved chrysanthemums. Elisa encounters an old man in a dilapidated spring wagon who comes
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“The Chrysanthemums” In the story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck. The main character Elisa allen is visited by a stranger who apparently changes her outlook on life. According to the story she seems to be a stay at home wife who loves to garden and is fascinated by chrysanthemums. While she is gardening one afternoon while her husband was in town‚ a man stops at her house. He offers to fix any pots or tools she has. While they are conversing he strikes up a conversation about the chrysanthemums
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John Steinbeck’s "The Chrysanthemums" features a strong capable and unsatisfied woman‚ Elisa Allen‚ whose talent cannot be recognized in the male-dominated society. Elisa Allen is a strong‚ talented woman‚ with powerful hands just like a man’s‚ and she is "over-eager" to puts her potential into practice. Even though she is "over-eager and over-powerful"‚ she could use her potential only in her flower garden. Actually‚ she does an excellent job there‚ keeping the farmhouse "neat" with windows "hard-polished"
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The Chrysanthemums. While Elisa wasn’t expecting any visitors‚ a man showed up and affected her strong and independent feelings to make her realize that she is lonelier than expected. First off‚ the narrator of the story shows that Elisa is a strong woman that could complete any task that needs physical strength with ease. He shows her strengths while she is working in the garden on her flowers and describes: “even her work with the scissors was overeager‚ overpowerful. The chrysanthemum stems
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John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” In John Steinbeck’s story “The Chrysanthemums” the symbolic connection between the flowers and Elisa‚ the main character‚ was very interesting. Throughout the story the chrysanthemums gave meaning to several things and the way things grew and changed. Although Elisa was a rather flat character within the story‚ she seemed to have been watered‚ grown‚ and blossomed like a flower; the symbolic connection between Elisa and the chrysanthemums illustrated a sense
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The Chrysanthemums In John Steinbeck story “The Chrysanthemums” a middle age wife‚ who obsess with her garden‚ struggles with societies biased opinion on a women’s role. The whole story revolves around her movements and mindset in her garden only. She longs for freedom‚ equality‚ and a life full of passion and love. The title “The Chrysanthemums” gives a hint of joy and happiness. It tricks the readers to think the story will be about life and creation‚ but that thought becomes obsolete. It is
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that we have read in which symbolism is demonstrated is in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck‚ and The Worker in Sandalwood by Majorie Pickthall. In The Chrysanthemums‚ Steinbeck tells a story of a married couple living on a farm. The husband‚ Henry Allen‚ works most of the day while his wife‚ Elisa Allen‚ spends most of her time tending to her garden. The couple have no children. However‚ in Elisa’s garden she grows Chrysanthemums‚ which she cares for as if they were her children. During the
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Lanicia Gunter English Comp. Mr. Briggs 3/5/2010 The Chrysanthemums Elisa Allen’s life can be interpreted in different ways‚ but there seems to be one common theme‚ oppression. Controlled by her husband’s and society’s expectations‚ she is confined to her pitiful life as a farmer’s wife. Through detailed descriptions and symbolism‚ John Steinbeck‚ author of short story‚ “The Chrysanthemums‚” a picture is painted of unattainable desires and hopelessness. Cynthia Bily of Short Stories for
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There is a quote that I think is fitting for the challenge that Benedict was given in writing The Chrysanthemum and the Sword‚ which is “There are two kinds of opportunities: one which we chance upon‚ the other which we create. In time of great difficulty‚ one must not fail to create his opportunity”‚ (Takamori Saigo‚ 1989: 28). When Benedict was given the opportunity to do an ethnography‚ she was made to do so during a time of great difficulty. She was unable to go on a field trip to Japan to observe
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John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums”‚ is a story about a woman struggling with strong inner feelings of loneliness and isolation. Elisa Allen is initially portrayed as a woman who overcompensates and whose tasks are far exceeded by her abilities. She appears content with her life and adores tending to her garden. However‚ a tinker briefly enters her life and through his power of persuasion and manipulation provides Elisa with hopes of change and excitement. He gives her the much needed attention
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