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The Chrysanthemums - Online Term Paper

The Chrysanthemums

John Steinbeck's "" shows the true feelings of the main character, Elisa Allen, through the use of setting and her interactions with other characters in the story. By way of vivid descriptions, Elisa's feelings of dissatisfaction over the lack of excitement in her life and her role as a mere housewife and then the subsequent change to feelings of a self-assured woman, are clearly seen. These inner feelings are most apparent with the portrayal of Elisa working in the garden with , the conversation she has with the man passing through, and finally, when she and her husband are going out to dinner.
Steinbeck's strong and somewhat manly description of Elisa while working in the garden, ...

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this excerpt you can see that she has covered up her hair with a "man's hat" and has thrown an apron over her dress in attempts to cover up her femininity. This apron also takes on a similar role as a man's tool belt as he works the land. Other phrases used by Steinbeck further the above points. He mentions that her face was "handsome," her work with the scissors was "over-powerful," and her fingers "destroyed such pests." She hints to the reader that she would like to take on more masculine responsibilities after her husband Henry says that he wishes she'd work out in the orchard and "raise some apples that big." She reacts to this by saying "Maybe I could do it too. I've got a gift with things." All of these descriptions show the reader that Elisa Allen strives to be more than just a woman in her own world. At the same time, she leads her husband to believe that she is content with being a mere housewife.
In the portion of the story where Elisa is talking to the "Pot ...

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The Chrysanthemums. (2004, August 31). Retrieved January 13, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Chrysanthemums/13596

"The Chrysanthemums." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 31 Aug. 2004. Web. 13 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Chrysanthemums/13596>

"The Chrysanthemums." Essayworld.com. August 31, 2004. Accessed January 13, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Chrysanthemums/13596.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/31/2004 05:06:41 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1007
Pages: 4

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