The Chrysantemums Essay, Research Paper

Chrysanthemums , by John Steinbeck

To have an excellent short story, it must contain a vivid setting that the readers can visualize, a realistic characterization that is easy to relate to, and a well developed plot. John Steinbeck s The Chrysanthemums definitely meets all these requirements.

The Chrysanthemums is set in the Salinas Valley in California. A place where sunshine shines off the river, but in December, it bathes in cold sunshine. The high gray-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and all the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot (326). The wintry weather blew a light wind from the southwest, which the farmers hoped would bring rain. The immediate setting is Henry Allen s ranch across the river. There is little work to be done there, the hay has been cut and the orchards were plowed up awaiting the rain. In the garden, Elisa Allen is cutting down the old chrysanthemum stalks. Steinbeck s description of the Salinas Valley is remarkable. The setting is an important part of the puzzle that completes a short story; it lets the readers visualize the scenery.

Steinbeck creates a realistic characterization in this story with Elisa Allen. She is a strong woman who struggles with equality and feminism. Early in the story, Elisa conceals her figure in her gardening clothes. She wears a man s black hat to cover her eyes, clodhopper shoes to hide her feet, and an apron covering her sunflower dress. In her garden, Elisa cuts down her chrysanthemums stalks with intense energy. This makes her feel masculine and in control. She struggles to exemplify her masculinity in a male dominated society. When her husband Henry comes over and jokes about taking her to the fights, Elisa says she wouldn t like fights. Elisa reacts like a man to situations, but is always reminded that she is a woman. Her appearance and actions are a result that she has been kept out society. That is why her garden is her life, and the chrysanthemums are like her children. After her conversation with her husband, Elisa goes back to work on her garden. Her husband reminds her of her femininity by offering her an evening on the town. Elisa is unhappy with the traditional female role and is attempting to extend her abilities into masculine areas. When a drifter comes looking for work Elisa handles him the same way that men handle buyers and sellers of different things.

The author develops a well thought up plot. While working in the garden, Elisa looks up and sees an old spring-wagon coming up the road. The owner is a big bearded man. On his wagon in canvas, Pots, pans, knives, sisors, lawn mores, Fixed (328) was written in crooked letters. Elisa watched to see if the wagon would pass by, but it turned into the road in front of her house. The man asks if she needed anything fixed, and her response was that she had nothing for him to do. She starts getting irritated by the man. As soon as he mentions her chrysanthemums, the irritation she had was gone. As she talks to him about her chrysanthemums, Elisa shows her feminine side and she becomes more and more feminine as they are having their conversation. Elisa’s feminine side begins to emerge as she takes off her masculine gloves and hat. She is attracted to the man because he is interested in her chrysanthemums. The man tells her that he knows a lady down the road who has all kinds of flowers except for chrysanthemums. He said she told him that if he ever finds some chrysanthemums to try to get her some seeds. Elisa is thrilled by this comment that she runs to get the seeds for the man. She returned with a big red flower pot, and dug up the soil with her bare hands. When the man leaves, Elisa appears to be a transformed woman. After the man leaves, Elisa goes to take a bath. When she dresses, she puts on her best clothes and makeup. As Henry comes outside and tells her that she looks nice , Elisa gets defensive. Henry replaces his word with strong and happy , and she is satisfied. She thinks that she is stronger than she has ever been before. As Elisa and Henry drive down the road her strength is quickly damaged as she spots something on the side of the road. She immediately knows that it is the chrysanthemums that she had given the man. Elisa wants to be not only an equal to men, but to be dominant. As they pass by, she sadly realizes that she can never be equal to a man. Steinbeck uses his setting, characterization, and plot perfectly to create The Chrysanthemums .