Second, there are conventional symbols. These present things for the meanings people within a particular group have agreed to give them. For example,
a national flag may represent patriotism and a badge civil authority. The third kind are literary and are sometimes built upon natural or conventional symbols, adding
meanings appropriate primarily with the work at hand, and like the symbols with invested meaning which Harmon identifies, these symbols may sometimes create
meanings within a work for things that have no natural or conventional meaning outside it”. Frye, Baker, and Perkins, 1985: 452-453.
There are several ways to recognize symbolism in literature. One is the frequency an object or character is mentioned in a piece of literature--if it is
mentioned often, it is probably important. Another way to find a symbol is to look at how much detail is used in describing an object. These two methods give clues
that the writer wants the readers to infer something about a particular object. According to most definitions, a symbol is an objectpersonidea that represents
another idea through association or resemblance. When reading, the reader should pay attention to any items, locations, or people that are described with extended
details. The author is using these descriptions as a sign. If the author repeats the object or idea, then there is significance to it.
C. Theoretical Framework
After mentioning those theories which related one another, the writer decided to use those theories because they are needed in analyzing the meaning of
symbol related to the major character in “The Chrysanthemums” short story. It is
needed the theory of characterization which is the way how major cha racter‟s
looks like and her characteristics described in the story. Characterization is also the way to identify the characters through
physical description of the character , the dialogue, the character‟s actions, the
character‟s thoughts, and the ways in which he or she get in touch with other characters in the story. Theory of character is also needed because to understand a
story, character is the first thing to know; characters are the engine which drive a short story. The character who is going to be characterized here is Elisa Allen, the
major character. Theory of symbol is needed because
symbolism is also a key part of poetry with many poets using symbols to express emotions like love, grief, death,
anger, jealousy, etc. Understanding symbolism can be difficult because while some writers use very simple imagery to put forward their views, there are
authors, playwrights and poets who believe in using multiple symbols and several contexts to play on the symbols they have used. And also, symbolism is what
makes literary
works more
enchanting to
read. By seeing that theory we can identify easily what the symbol that represents
something valuable in the story.
19
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
First published in the October, 1937 issue of Harpers, The Chrysanthemums was included in John Steinbecks 1938 short story collection,
The Long Valley. In several significant ways, this story of an unhappy marriage is typical of Steinbecks fiction. It takes place in the Salinas Valley of California, the
Long Valley named in the title of his first short story collection. It concerns a married couple and examines the psychology of the unhappiness their marriage
causes. Finally, it contains many vivid images of the seasons, weather, plants, and animals, all of which fascinated the writer his entire life. One of Steinbecks most
accomplished short stories, “The Chrysanthemums” is about an intelligent, creative woman coerced into a stifling existence on her husbands ranch. The story
appeared in Harpers Magazine in 1937; a revised version, which contained less sexual imagery, was published in the 1938 collection The Long Valley. Many
critics believe the story reflected Steinbecks own sense of frustration, rejection, and loneliness at the time the story was written. Some scholars also have
speculated that the female protagonist of “The Chrysanthemums,” Elisa Allen, was inspired by Steinbecks first wife, Carol Henning.
The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck is about a frustrated woman Elisa who feels a strong sense of feminism and loneliness in her life.
