Character Analysis of Elisa Allen in The Chrysanthemums by Steinbeck Es

Many readers who analyze Steinbecks short story, The Chrysanthemums, feel Elisas flowers represent her repressed sexuality, and her anger and resentment towards men. Some even drudge the symbolism of the flowers, and Elisas masculine actions, to suggest she is unable to establish a true relationship between herself and another. Her masculine traits and her chrysanthemums are enough to fulfill her entirely. This essay result discuss an opposing viewpoint. Instead, it will argue that Elisas chrysanthemums, and her masculine qualities are natural manifestations of a male dominated world. Pertinent examples from The Chrysanthemums will be given in an attempt to illustrate that Elisas character qualities, and gardening skills, are the survival traits shes adopted in order to survive, and keep her femininity and vulnerability in a mans world.The inaugural evidence that supports this conclusion is the behavior which occurs between Elisa and her husband, Henry. There is a de eply rooted dysfunction between Henry and Elisa, which is a lack of very communication (Palmerino, 1). They are successful farmers, save it is Henry who tends the economic production. The opening sets up a character contrast which runs throughout the piece by wake Henry selling thirty head of beef, while Elisa grows beautiful chrysanthemums. The contrast is that of the differences between a masculine and a feminine perspective of distributively other. This shows a limiting of Elisa from a mans point-of-view. Henry tells Elisa that she has a way with growing things, but he feels she is only contributing in an aesthetical way. In other words, Elisa is made to feel that her contribution isnt as worthy as a mans even though the insult is hidden ... ... accepted love, she may be able to find fulfillment in her flowers more than she ever has. They can be released into the male world and survive, beautiful and strong, though fragile, bonnie as she has. The chrysanthemums are not Elisas frustration, they are her hope in a world she sees without hope. Therefore, when the tinker simply drops the flowers on the side of the road, the symbolic weight of the chrysanthemums moldiness be considered. Higdon states that the crucial question remains whether or not Elisa has been destroyed (Higdon, 668). The reader can see how the flowers represent mostly a substantiating symbol of growth and life. Elisa may not have anywhere to turn for real understanding, since men are not able to explore her inner-qualities, but it is better that she grows flowers than shutting off her own emotions and feelings and using others like the men around her.