Symbolism in Steinbeck's "the Chrysanthemums"

"The Chrysanthemums"

By

John Steinbeck

(A.) The chrysanthemums are a clear representation of Elisa's life. They are her hopes, dreams, children, and her lovers. When the handyman stops by and talks to her about fixing her pots and sharpening her scissors, she just gets irritated. But when he asks about the flowers, she immediately warms up to the man. The man has said the right thing at the right time. He has complimented her "children". He has led her into a false security. After they discuss a few things, she ends up giving him a chrysanthemum. He accepts it only to throw it on the side of the rode later, thus destroying Elisa's dreams.

(B.) The setting is a sunny, cold day most likely in late fall, though it doesn't say. The bleakness of the day resembles Elisa's real life while the chrysanthemums resemble her dreams. The juxtaposition of the two is quite striking. One on side you have classic Steinbeck; bleak, cold, dry, dirty and on the other side you have kind of surreal reality; bright, yellow, nice.

(C.) The washing scene symbolizes a rebirth of Elisa. As she is washing off all of the dirt her body has collected she is symbolically "shedding her skin". When she looks into the mirror at her nude body, she is looking at her image of beauty. All of her worries seem to fade as she stares and thinks about her life and her dreams. When her husband comes home and asks her if she's ready to go, she says "yes" with tears in her eyes.