In his story "The Chrysanthemums", written in 1938, Steinbeck introduces us with a woman, named Elisa, who is trying to gain power in a man's world. Elisa Allen tries to define her role as a woman in a very close society. ... The symbols in setting and characters show us the scope and nature of this empty society, and the chrysanthemums portray Elisa's existence and emptiness of her life. ... The Japanese still hold the chrysanthemum as a symbol of the sun, and they consider the orderly unfolding of the mum's petals to be a symbol of perfection. ... Color Messages While chr...

• Word Count: 920
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

- which could be compared with what her husband says, "Some of those yellow chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches across."" ... From the masculine figure of her, she changes by putting "on her newest under-clothing and her nicest stockings and the dress which was the symbol of her prettiness. ... At the very end, she "turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly "like an old woman,"" telling us that her chrysanthemum is "destroyed-, along with her confidences and her feminist side. ...

• Word Count: 625
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Symbols are important in the story because they are responsible for unfolding and revealing the meaning of the story, and Elisa's character, as well. ... "Oh, those are chrysanthemums, giant whites and yellows. ... Or should she be a more aggressive woman, for example, one who isn't afraid to go to the fights in Salinas? ... At the very end of the story, Elisa is found "crying weakly--like an old woman" (253). ... Steinbeck uses Elisa's emotions to represent how fragile the heart of a woman is. ...

• Word Count: 1566
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School