The Chrysanthemums Essay

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The chrysanthemums Setting: The story takes place in the Salinas Valley in winter season. “On the foothills ranches across the Salinas River, the yellow stubble fields seemed to bathed in a pale cold sunshine, but there was no sunshine in the valley now in December.” (The Chrysanthemums) Most events of the story take place in Henry Allen and Elisa Allen’s ranch. “Across the rivers, on Henry Allen’s foothill ranch there was little work to be done…” (The Chrysanthemums) Plot The story starts with the exposition, a brief description of Henry and Elisa. The narrator gives a detailed view of the couple daily life activities in their ranch. “Elisa Allen, working in her flower garden.”; “I’m going to take Scotty and bring down those steers from the hill” (The Chrysanthemums) The rising action presents when the events change as soon as Henry sets out to bring the steers. Elisa continues working in her garden, but suddenly along the country road appeared a wagon. “A square of wheels and plod of hoofs came from the road. Elisa looked up. The country road ran along the dense bank of willow and cotton-woods that bordered the river.” (The Chrysanthemums) From the wagon a man came out, which attracted Elisa’s attention. “Elisa saw that he was a very big man.” (The Chrysanthemums) The story reaches a high point or climax when the encounter with the wagon-man happened. Elisa expresses how she would like the job the visitor has. “She broke in on him. I’ve never lived as you do, but I know what you mean.” (The Chrysanthemums) An important issue was that Elisa felt a clear sexual attraction towards the visitor. For a moment Elisa almost touched the man’s leg.”Kneeling there, her hand went out toward his legs in the greasy black to users. Her hesitant fingers almost touched the cloth.” (The Chrysanthemums) The story’s actions fall when the wagon-man fixes the saucepans and
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