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John Steinbeck's Use Of Nature In The Chrysanthemums

1466 Words6 Pages

Hans Christian Andersen a well-known Danish author once said, “Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower”. This quote by Andersen exhibits that in order to live an individual must have the necessities of life that makes life more interesting which can be nature. By incorporating sunshine and flower he explains examples of nature and how nature can affect an individual’s ability to live whether it is physically or mentally. In other words, anyone can be considered living as long as they are breathing, but really living the world includes connecting yourself to things that bring happiness such as nature, and freedom. Similarly, in “The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck’s use of nature affects the actions and …show more content…

The story confirms this suggested confinement as it narrows its focus onto Elisa and the work she is doing “in her flower garden” inside a “wire fence”…” (Tebbetts, 56). This line by Tebbett reveals that the setting that Steinbeck chose to place Elisa in reveals that like the Salinas valley is closed off so is Elisa. Therefore, Elisa’s interaction is seen limited to only her husband Henry and the Tinker an unknown man. Behind that valley we as readers see how for Elisa the garden and fence that she places herself is her strength and is like the bigger world that she was restricted from due to the valley. Elisa is seen communicating with nature in her own garden and is seen as strong as she reveals the traits of masculinity with her dressing style and actions. For example, as Steinbeck writes, “Her face was lean and strong and her eyes were as clear as water. Her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume, a man’s black hat….heavy leather gloves” (Steinbeck, 801). The description of Elisa seems to be misleading as after reading this we as readers would assume that Elisa is a powerful woman who lacks the qualities of women with masculine qualities. The eyes being described as

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