John SteinbeckS The Chrysanthemums Essays - The Chrysanthemums

John Steinbeck'S ?The Chrysanthemums? Elisa Allen, Confused? Like many short stories, John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums deceives most readers by appearing to be a simple short story. The Chrysanthemums, which only occupies about eight pages in textbooks, captures the emotional pain of a woman trying to live in the 1930s. As critic Stanley Renner wrote, The Chrysanthemums shows a strong capable woman kept from personal, social, and sexual fulfillment by the prevailing conception of a womans role in a world dominated by men (Renner 306). Elisa Allen, the only female in The Chrysanthemums displays her sexual frustrations throughout the short story by slipping in and out of masculine and feminine characteristics. The Chrysanthemums begins by describing Elisas surroundings. The fog covers the valley like a closed pot (Steinbeck 220), which symbolizes Elisas isolation from the world. Because the Allens live away from town, Elisa rarely encounters other people besides her husband, Henry Allen. The work on Henry Allens foothill ranch, (220) as it is described, is scarce, leaving Elisa to work in her garden. Wearing a mans black hat, . . . clod-hopper shoes, and heavy leather gloves, Elisas appearance begins as very masculine (220). This masculine vision of Elisa is the first sign she is sexually frustrated. Elisa continuously glances at her husband, who is speaking with two men, almost adoringly. When first reading this image, the reader may pass it off as useless information, but after studying Elisas character, it is evident Elisa is envious of the male meeting. She asks her husband, curiously who the men were, and he answers her as short as possible. Henry avoids speaking about masculine busin ess with Elisa for too Whitaker 2 long. For instance, when Henry comments about Elisas chrysanthemums, he first uses the word strong which implies masculinity. Elisa then speaks about how she would be good at working in the orchards. Henry apparently feels Elisa has spoken too much about masculine subjects because he resorts back to calling the chrysanthemums simply flowers (221). This first scene between husband and wife sets the tone of the entire story. Elisas gestures and actions change as different words and topics are mentioned to her. She feels unimportant and inferior as a woman and strong enough to be a man. Soon after Henry leaves to finish he work, the tinker is introduced into the story. Here is where Elisas sexuality is tested. Elisas first reaction to the tinker is similar to that of a mans, for she resists giving him work (Marcus 56). She show strong qualities as she tells the tinker she as no work for him. The tinker begins to weaken Elisa, though, and eventually breaks her strong stance by using her pride and joy - her chrysanthemums. The tinker captures the beauty of the chrysanthemums in a poetic, feminine nature. He describes them as a quick puff of colored smoke, which appeals to Elisas feminine side. Suddenly, Elisa begins to unveil her womanliness. She tears off her hat and shakes out her dark pretty hair (Steinbeck 224). By being interested in Elisas feminine flowers, the tinker makes Elisa comfortable with her sexuality. Allowing her feminine nature to appear, Elisa becomes emotional vulnerable during the business transaction involving her chrysanthemums. This is feminine nature because men tend to be unemotional during business related activities (Sweet 213). After the tinker leaves, Elisa finally appears content with her sexuality. As she gets ready for her outing with Henry, Elisa shows complete femininity. She scrubs her Whitaker 3 body until her skin turns red, as if she is rinsing away the masculine way about her. Elisa then dries herself off, and studies her body in the mirror. She has become comfortable with being a woman just by receiving attention from a male who is interested in her life. After studying herself, Elisa applies her makeup and puts on her newest under-clothing. Henry then comes home and they leave to go to town. As the Allens are on their way to town, Elisa spots a dark speck in the road. She knows this speck is her prize chrysanthemums. As they pass the chrysanthemums lying in the road, Elisa cannot bear to look. The tinker appears in the road next. For this situation, Elisa has to