How Does Steinbeck Use Imagery In The Chrysanthemums

Women live their lives under the idea that they do not have the right to express themselves independently. Living on a ranch with her husband, Elisa struggles to free herself from the stereotype that women have little value in society. In John Steinbeck’s short story, “The Chrysanthemums”, he uses symbolism, imagery, and tone to convey that society often puts a strain on women’s roles in a world surrounded by men. Elisa’s daily life includes tending to her prized possession, Chrysanthemums, but throughout the story the deeper meaning behind these flowers comes to life. Through her eager and aggressive hard work, the small Chrysanthemums seemed to “easy for her energy”(Steinbeck 1). The flowers symbolize her strength and the power that she

Salinas Valley was covered by a “high grey-flannel fog of winter” that closed the valley off from the outside world(Steinbeck 1). The color imagery of the dull sky over the valley, created a sort of enclosed barrier over their lives. Elisa is trapped in this position and she struggles to find happiness in her life due to the constant reminder that she is not worthy enough. She “laid his dark suit on the bed” to make sure her husband’s clothes were prepared for his return(Steinbeck 9). This action shows the role that Elisa plays in their marriage. She takes care of her husband so that he does not have to worry about things other than his work to support the family. Her role lies in the household, although she desperately wishes to have more control. The farmhouse had perfectly “hard-polished windows”, with “clean mud-mat” sitting at the door. One of Elisa’s main job is to clean and garden, which is shown by way the house is portrayed in the beginning of the story. It shows her confinement and how she is only allowed to do minimum things in the household,which is not useful if she were to have to make money and make a life for herself. The scenes in this short story portray her guarded and controlled life in Salinas

Elisa’s life was quiet and peaceful, where the air around her “ was cold and tender”(Steinbeck 1). At the beginning of the story the overall tone is depressing because Elisa is in a position where she feels like she is being oppressed by her husband and the society. She is stuck in the constant cycle of living a life that she feels like does not suit her capabilities. “Her face was tight with eagerness’ as she began to tell the tinker loads about her Chrysanthemums(Steinbeck 6). After meeting the traveler and after a while of talking, she begins to feel happiness in her life again. She is having a conversation with someone who enjoys talking to her and about things she likes. Elisa longs for the way of being free and able to go where she wants without anybody’s rules but her own.Her life began to dwindle back to normal as she turned to hide the fact “that she was crying weakly-like”(Steinbeck 11). After this experience with the traveler, Elisa senses things going in her direction, but once she sees the flower on the ground she knows that change is going to be hard to come by. Seeing the flower thrown to the side of the road just assures her that men will never respect women for who they are. Elisa is still stuck in a life where she feels as if her hard work gets no