Elisa Allen: The Chrysanthemums Elisa Allen is a smart, attractive, and ambitious woman whose talent goes unnoticed and lives in a society that does not allow women to have professional careers in John Steinbeck’s The Chrysanthemums. Elisa longed for her husband’s approval when it came to her talent with planting flowers. She desperately wanted to work in the business of the ranch and her offers of helping her husband were brushed off. Elisa’s husband is not as smart, but he makes all of the business decisions and runs the ranch while Elisa watches from afar. Elisa is unsatisfied with life and came in contact with a man who showed up on the ranch who she found appealing to talk to and quite flirtatious which is the kind of interaction she
The poorest of people in America have an equal chance and opportunity to succeed as much as someone who came from a wealthy background, despite their financial problems. A great example of this is Oprah Winfrey. Coming from a poor family life and living with almost entirely nothing, she was free to step beyond her boundaries to achieve her social empire. In America, one can start with surely nothing but always somehow end up with a successful opportunity to be happy. Happiness is proved to be possible for every individual living in America, but it’s up to the individual to reach out for it.
“She guessed she was lucky, compared to most kids in the desert. Her father brought food home, he had never hit or even touched her and he hadn’t disappeared” (Straight 12). The author says that because Elvia felt that her mother had just disappeared and left her but she did not do that. It was much more to the story, but at least she knew her father was going to always be there. Her father is a loving dad and would kill for her.
Matt now has a son, a good wife, and an ordinary life; he still has a good family life without going to university. In contrast with Kate, although she has good education and job, she doesn’t have her own family and in fact, she says, “I had never thought I would really love anyone.” (89) From another perspective, she seems to be the one that is going to have a sad life. Similar with Luke, when he rejects Sally it is due to his responsibility as a caregiver. He is happy with his decision since it is for his family. If Matt chooses to go to university instead and leaves Marie, he will most likely lose his happiness and truly be an emotionless “nerd” and suffers like Kate who does not truly knows the meaning of love.
Later in the story, Billie Jo learns that it is better to live with a family, rather than running away and becoming a homeless and poor person. It was a typical day in Oklahoma. It was dry and there were no sources of water what so ever. Billie Jo was a strong, brave, and young girl who lived through all of this with her Ma and Pa. Pa wanted a boy because a boy could help him out with all the farm works. However, Billie Jo was still treated like a boy.
Recognition Ruined In The Road Henry’s wife, Elisa was intelligent and passionate about her gardening and having the well known qualities of being a woman and wife, although she lived a unsatisfying and under stimulated life, in which her husband didn’t know of. Elissa was talented and was longing for people to recognize her and what she experts in. In the story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck Elisa doesn’t have a professional career, no children to take care of, and even though she is interested in her husband’s business on the ranch he’s is not fully conscious of that. Elisa’s wish to travel the world and to work on the farm with Henry is implied, but it is expressed to be a unfit desire for a woman. Elisa puts all her energy and time into perfecting the chrysanthemum garden and her house working skills, even though she would rather be doing more exciting things.
In the article, a Vietnamese woman was asked what is most important thing for her about working at the Nike factory, and she responded that besides her wages she is glad that she no longer has to work on a rice farm anymore. Like many of her compatriots working in agriculture was once her only option. Her work was extremely grueling and she was left without any prospects for a better future for her and for her children. Now, at Nike, she is much happier working indoors in the factory, which allows her to learn different skills, become more productive, and most importantly, earn more wages, which in turn enables her son to attend a better school and pursue his desire to become a doctor.
She had been receiving letters from her ex-husband saying "How are you and the boys? Bet they’re getting big," (1, Medicine River). The clear absence of the father has caused Rose to become independent and have to raise her children by herself, as well as support her kids with no financial aid from a husband, an uncommon front for a woman in a time where men dominated. In addition to the independence and self-reliance of Bertha and Rose, Louise, a female who lives in Medicine River with Will, possesses these same characteristics. She has found a way to succeed at a job in a time when it occurs very seldomly for women.
If Pearl was to look back on this very day and growing up in the Salem community, not knowing who her father was, or why others never really cared for her. It might sadden her a little. But then again Pearl was an optimistic child; she never dwelled on one situation. Pearl was content with the company of her mother, and their simple everyday life. Hester Prynne was a stay at home mom
Success is also something that is viewed differently in the eyes of everyone. This is because success means doing what you have always wanted to do, being where you have always wanted to be. If a man’s goal in life is to eventually get married to a good wife and have many happy children, and he accomplishes that, then he could view himself as having success. Success basically means being happy with what you are doing in life. Success is in some ways a state of the mind.