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Symbolism In The Chrysanthemums

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Symbolism In The Chrysanthemums
In John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums”, the reader visits Salinas Valley, California, where we meet a depression era ranch wife Elisa Allen. Elisa, married but lacks children takes great care in gardening, specifically raising Chrysanthemums or mums. Steinbeck exercises setting to create to an environment that reflects that Elisa has a lack of fulfillment. This includes extreme care of her “mums”, the environment surrounding her, also, how she covers up her femininity while gardening.
As the story develops, it becomes evident that Elisa enjoys and takes great care while gardening. Elisa manifests an overpowering love into her chrysanthemums similarly to one might gush over their own children. “The irritation and resistance melted from Elisa's
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