( Steinbeck 2011, p 7) and yet in the same breath she is cut down by Henry telling her she wishes she could work in an area of the farm that she is not allowed to. She is emasculated when she is described as wearing a mans hat and a dress that was almost completely covered with denim overalls and clodhopper shoes. Elisie becomes almost submissev however when her husband asks about going to dinner and how she would not like
This is exemplified in the care that she shows in casual conversation with the traveling salesman. If she were to let her flowers die, she would lose a part of her marriage that she needs but cannot have. Henry Allen is an innocent rancher and the husband to Elisa. His first major scene in the story comes when he prides himself in the sale of thirty head of steers despite Elisa expressing her interest in her flowers. Henry continues with, “I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big” (Steinbeck 259).
She refuses to eat until she can try some of the rampion plant from the forbidden garden. Her husband worries himself sick until he finally gives in and ventures into the night in search of his wife’s rampion. The first time he is successful and his wife is absolutely thrilled. She soon begins to crave this plant more and more. Her husband is again forced to go steal some of the plant from the garden next door in order to satisfy his wife.
Forsaken Flowers “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck is about a woman named Elisa Allen who is tricked by a traveling tinker. In the beginning, Elisa is gardening while her husband Henry is speaking to a couple of men. She has a beautiful flower garden that is perfectly kept. Henry walks over and tells Elisa that he has just sold thirty steers and wants to take her out to dinner and a movie to celebrate. Elisa agrees and Henry jokingly asks her if she would want to go to a fight that evening.
Steinbeck has given a suitable title to the story, “The Chrysanthemums,” which relates to Elisa as chrysanthemums symbolize both Elisa and the limited scope of her life. Just like her, the flowers are unobjectionable and also unimportant; both are merely decorative and add little value to the world. Elisa is passionate and loving towards her chrysanthemums. She is smart, attractive and ambitious, but all these qualities go waste as she has limitations under which a married women lives. Henry Allen, her husband, clearly ignores her passion and care towards chrysanthemums.
Hidden Passion’s In John Steinbeck’s short story “The Chrysanthemums” imagery and symbols are used to show the repressed feminine qualities, hidden passion and feelings of inequality in the main character Elisa Allen. Who is a strong, capable woman kept from social, personal and sexual fulfillment . Elisa is a homemaker living in Salinas Valley, California with her farmer husband Henry. Elisa is a lonely woman whose days consist of nourishing and growing “chrysanthemum” flowers in her fenced in garden. Steinbeck uses the “chrysanthemum” flower, the variation of her clothing, the way she interacts with her husband and the tinker as examples of symbolism.
Elisa was not only trapped by the time period and society’s expectation of her gender role, but also by her marriage. In the short story The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck’s, the main character Elisa ‘s circumstances, point of view and actions were shape by her gender and class. In The Chrysanthemums Steinbeck addresses the issue of gender inequality a number of times, first when Elisa’s Husband Henry knowing about her love and passion for her chrysanthemums stated “ I wish you ‘d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big “ Literature a Portable Anthology (205). Assuming that her time would be better spent growing large apples at the orchard instead of wasting so much time caring for her chrysanthemums. Secondly, while Elisa was having a conversation with the thinker Elisa asked the thinker “ You sleep in right in the wagon?” The thinker replied, “ right in the wagon ma’am.
Celie: Mister. Shug: Why he do that? Celie: He beat me for not being you.” Shug is Celie’s friend because she spends time with Celie and helps her connect with her sister. Shug sews quilt with Celie on the porch and helps Celie read her sister Nettie’s letter to her. Sex is ruined by her rapist of a step-father and her forceful bland sex with her husband.
In the end, Steinbeck conveys a sense of hopeless about his main character's plight, and though she may try to rise beyond her position, reality will always intrude and keep her entrenched in a suppressed role. "The Chrysanthemums" is the story of Elisa Allen, the wife of cattle farmer Henry Allen. Elisa works diligently in her garden, preparing this year's chrysanthemums, while Henry conducts business. As she prepares her flowers, a traveling handy man passes, and inquires as to whether Elisa might have some scissors that need sharpening or pots that require mending. She rebuffs him until he takes an interest in her chrysanthemums, explaining that he knows a woman up the road who would love to grow such flowers herself.
Park asks Eleanor to sit next to him on the bus and they have an instant connection. On the ride Park learns eleanor is living in a small house with 4 siblings and a step dad that beats her mother. Soon they swap mixtapes, hold hands and fall in love. Although their relationship seems to be blooming, Eleanor is forced to deal with an unknown bully who keeps writing obscene comments on her school supplies. Eleanor tries to hide from Richie, her awful step dad at Park’s house but Park’s mother doesn’t seem to accept Eleanor until she learns about her home life and from then on Park’s parents are supportive and caring to Eleanor.