What is the central idea of the chrysanthemums?
The story’s major theme is about gender roles and the oppression of women. Trapped in her role as “wife”, “gardener”, and “housekeeper”, Elisa longs to have more agency, but can only watch from a distance as her husband negotiates business deals, and ask for small favors like wine at dinner.
What do the chrysanthemums symbolize?
Steinbeck uses chrysanthemums as symbols of the inner-self of Elisa and of every woman. First, the chrysanthemums symbolize Elisa’s children. Elisa’s pride in her ability to grow such beautiful flowers reinforces the fact that the flowers are a replacement for her children.
Why are the chrysanthemums so important to Elisa?
The chrysanthemums symbolize both Elisa and the limited scope of her life. Like Elisa, the chrysanthemums are lovely, strong, and thriving. Their flowerbed, like Elisa’s house, is tidy and scrupulously ordered.
What does Elisa see at the end of the chrysanthemums that make her sad?
What happens at the ends of “the chrysanthemums” that makes elisa sad? She sees that the stranger has thrown her chrysanthemum sprouts onto the road.
What happens at the end of the chrysanthemums?
The Chrysanthemums Summary and Analysis of ‘The Chrysanthemums’: The End. Once the tinker’s wagon disappears, Elisa returns to her house, where she removes all of her clothes and bathes thoroughly. Finally, she slowly gets dressed, wearing her newest and nicest clothes, carefully styling her hair, and doing her make up …
Why do her actions and speeches confuse Henry?
Why do her actions and speeches confuse Henry? She runs and take a bath scrubbing her body and putting on clean cloths. This is partly because she feels dirty and guilty because of what she was thinking and doing with the tinker. Henry is only getting part of the story that is why he is confused.
What is Elisa’s reaction after the stranger leaves?
After the stranger leaves her house, Elisa is left feeling good for his visit and gets dressed up in her prettiest dress for dinner.
How does Elisa show that she has begun to trust the stranger?
Answer. She shows that she has begun to trust when she opens up conversationally about her flowers, and also physically, when she takes off her hat, draws out her hair, and invites him beyond the fence.
How does the stranger show that he is more aggressive than Henry when interacting with Elisa at her garden?
Based on the given question above, the option that shows how the stranger show that he is more aggressive than Henry when interacting with Elisa at her garden is that, he leans over the fence and eventually enters Elisa’s garden, while Henry respects her space and remains outside.
Where does the chrysanthemums take place?
Salinas Valley
What is the setting of the chrysanthemums?
The story takes place in the Salinas Valley in December at Henry Allen’s ranch in the foothills. Immediately, we’re placed in a rural setting, where women are isolated and men are manly.
Which detail from the beginning of the chrysanthemums foreshadows Elisa’s feelings of being trapped?
The detail from the beginning of “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck foreshadows Elisa’s feelings of being trapped in the description of the setting. In the first two paragraphs the Salinas Valley is described as sleepy and a “closed spot” surrounded by fog in winter which shuts the valley off .
Which method of characterization does Steinbeck use?
The method of characterization that Steinbeck uses in the Chrysanthemum is indirect characterization. He describes Henry by his appearance and how he moves and talks. He also uses the thoughts and feelings of the character as well as what the other characters think of him.
Where is John Steinbeck’s chrysanthemums short story?
What motivates the stranger to ask Elisa about chrysanthemums?
The stranger asks Elisa about her chrysanthemums motivated by his desire for money. The stranger is a tinker, in other words, a person who goes from one place to another, mending metal objects such as pots and pans.