The Chrysanthemums
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 Students compares Elisa Allen’s life to ecofeminism, the idea that “women and nature are dominated by men in similar ways, and that women’s connections to nature can be a source of strength,” (Bily) Men dominate women as they have always dominated the earth. If you have ever heard of the term, “rape the land” it bares similarity to ecofeminism and how Henry limits Elisa. He rapes her in such a way that prevents her from having a different life, holding her down and restraining her from the many opportunities that the world has to offer. But Elisa’s connection with her chrysanthemums isn’t necessarily representative of who she wants to be according to Bily, but rather her source of energy. Women have an innate, natural attachment to the nature, women are nurturers and Elisa has more of a connection with her garden than she does with the outside world. She lacks relationships it seems, the only person she comes in contact with her husband and even that relationship is unfulfilling. Henry treats Elisa as he treats his land, something to be controlled. He views their life as farmers as a way to earn money. He fails to see the beauty in nature; instead he is focused on the many ways he can make the land work for him. As Henry watched Elisa working in the garden he comments, “Some of those yellow chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches across. I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big.” (McMahan 326) Perhaps if she could raise apples, they could
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 Students compares Elisa Allen’s life to ecofeminism, the idea that “women and nature are dominated by men in similar ways, and that women’s connections to nature can be a source of strength,” (Bily) Men dominate women as they have always dominated the earth. If you have ever heard of the term, “rape the land” it bares similarity to ecofeminism and how Henry limits Elisa. He rapes her in such a way that prevents her from having a different life, holding her down and restraining her from the many opportunities that the world has to offer. But Elisa’s connection with her chrysanthemums isn’t necessarily representative of who she wants to be according to Bily, but rather her source of energy. Women have an innate, natural attachment to the nature, women are nurturers and Elisa has more of a connection with her garden than she does with the outside world. She lacks relationships it seems, the only person she comes in contact with her husband and even that relationship is unfulfilling. Henry treats Elisa as he treats his land, something to be controlled. He views their life as farmers as a way to earn money. He fails to see the beauty in nature; instead he is focused on the many ways he can make the land work for him. As Henry watched Elisa working in the garden he comments, “Some of those yellow chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches across. I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big.” (McMahan 326) Perhaps if she could raise apples, they could
Cited: Steinbeck, John. "The Chrysanthemums." Literature and the Writing Process. 8th ed. Elizabeth McMahon, ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2007. 325-332. Print. Bily, Cynthia. "The Chrysanthemums." Short Stories for Students. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CH1420022876&v=2.1&u=klnb_kanstlib&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w Higdon, David Leon. “The Chrysanthemums:Overview.” Reference Guide to Short Fiction. Ed. Noelle Watson. Detroit: St. James Press, 1994. Literature Resource Center. Web. 28 Feb 2010. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CH1420007686&v=2.1&u=klnb_kanstlib&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w Sullivan, Ernest W., II. "The Cur in 'The Chrysanthemums '." Studies in Short Fiction 16.3 (Summer 1979): 215-217. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CH1420022878&v=2.1&u=&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w