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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.
She seems to be oppressed by a male-driven society. The title itself depicts as a symbol of the nature of Elisa. It is a story about a marriage which has its
limitations. This story gained popularity among the critics and different opinions and views were commented on it.
In his short story The Chrysanthemums, John Steinbeck presents a narrative rich in symbolism, focusing on the yearnings of a frustrated farm wife.
However, it is not simply the tale of an individual womans oppression, but a commentary on the limitations that faced all women in early twentieth century
America. Steinbeck uses both symbolism and setting to create a mood of isolation and longing. The reader is able to understand how a woman comes to feel trapped
within her own life, and begins to resist the constraints that are forced upon her. In the end, Steinbeck conveys a sense of hopeless about his main characters plight,
and though she may try to rise beyond h
er position, reality will always intrude and keep her entrenched in a suppressed role. lotsofessays.com, 2012
The story tells about a proud, strong woman named Elisa Allen who feels
frustrated with her present life. Her frustration stems from not having a child and from her husbands failure to admire her romantically as a woman. The only outlet
for her frustration is her flower garden where she cultivates beautiful chrysanthemums. Steinbeck uses chrysanthemums as symbols of the inner-self of
Elisa and of every woman. In the second part of the story, the chrysanthemums come to symbolize Elisas femininity and sexuality. The portrait of Elisa caring
for the flowers as though they are her children is clearly a feminine image, but her
masculine image is also observed in her hard-swept and hard-polished home. This image is carried over into her relationship with her husband. Elisa feels that
Henry doesnt recognize or appreciate her femininity, and this feeling causes her to be antagonistic towards him.
There is an undercurrent of resentment towards her husband. Throughout the story Elisa has built up the idea that she has worth as a woman to society
because someone has taken interest in her gardening. At the end of the story, however, Elisa comes to a realization about her current life and situation. When
she sees the chrysanthemum tossed on the side of the road she has an epiphany about the events of that day and her life as a whole. Elisa comes to realize that the
fix-it man was just using her. She realizes that the man actually had no interest in her, but only for his business. Seeing the chrysanthemum on the side of the road
also brings Elisa back into reality.
B. Approach of the Study
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