What is a metaphor? A metaphor is a figure of speech where a comparison is made between two things based on similarity. Metaphors are widely used in literature today and are very important. They can create powerful and lasting images and ideas. Metaphors make the images described by the author more creative and interesting. The best writers use metaphors in their writing. The short story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck is a great story pervaded with metaphors. The story opens in the Salinas Valley at Henry Allen’s ranch in the foothills during December. As Steinbeck describes “The high grey-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made the great valley a closed pot”(438). This description of the valley portrays that it is enclosed. Steinbeck is using the imagery of the grey-flannel fog surrounding the valley as an indicator of their isolated world. …show more content…
Elisa is unhappy with her life, feels trapped, and unappreciated. The only way out for her frustration is her flower garden where she grows beautiful chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums symbolize Elisa and the limited scope of her life. Her husband is always too busy on the farm with the cattle so she never has enough attention or any kind of affection. Her husband also does not find any interest in her chrysanthemums. Her husbands remark “I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big” (439) shows how little interest he has in her chrysanthemums and even