John Steinbecks Use of Symbolism in His Book The...

Chrysanthemums John Steinbeck is remembered as one of the classic American writers, and his book Chrysanthemums is no exception. The title of the book is a reference to the symbols and plot of the story, a Chrysanthemum being a symbolic flower for the protagonist, Elisa Allen. The story is set during the Great Depression, and therefore marriage by arrangement was common in agricultural areas, as finding food and shelter were more important than childhood ambitions, as Elisa learned the hard way. Symbols are used to convey a particular meaning constantly in the Chrysanthemums, the flowers within the story reflect the emotions involved in the events that take place in the story. Elisa begins the story in a boring and depressing marriage, which has lead her mind to wander about the world outside of her property. When her husband confronts her and suggests that she concentrate on the apple orchards for profit rather than her beloved Chrysanthemums, which are simply for show, she breaks d own and realizes how deeply depressed she has become. The flowers have become a symbol of her feelings, as the beautiful but neglected girl who resents not being appreciated by her own husband. Another symbol in the story is her garden itself, as Elisas cage. John Steinbeck was writing during the Great Depression, and the number of unemployed around the country meant that crime had risen dramatically, limiting the movement of housewives like Elisa. It is at this point that a travelingShow MoreRelated The Chrysanthemums Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s, The Chrysanthemums, was published in 1938 in a book of short stories, entitled The Long Valley. The Chrysanthemums has been a rather powerful draw for scholars because of its wide gap for interpretations and analysis of its main protagonist character, Elisa Allen and also the unique descriptions used to portray the deeper meaning behind the setting of the story. Themes of sexuality, oppression of women, as well as other numerous types of conflict portrayed in this rather somberRead MoreComparing John Steinbeck s Mice And Men And The Grapes Of Wrath1126 Words   |  5 PagesComparing and Contrasting Steinbeck John Steinbeck is a famous author known for many of his short stories, as well as the books Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. His works have been studied and analyzed often because of his unique ability to create symbolism from small amounts of text. â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† is a short story written by John Steinbeck, and was first published in 1939. It tells the story of a woman who feels she is capable of completing any task a man can, but is set back byRead MoreJohn Steinbeck2062 Words   |  9 Pagesminiature versions of books or novels, where an author takes a tale and crams it into a ten to twenty page story. John Steinbeck is not only a well-known novelist, but also writes short stories like â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† and â€Å"Flight†. In Steinbeck’s â€Å"The Chrysthemums† Elisa Allen is married to a negligent ranch owner. While her husband works on the ranch, Elisa tends to her chrysanthemum garden daily. One day while tending to her garden, a charming tinker man pulls up to her in his wagon and tries to