"Assignment #2--Symbolism in Steinbeck."

In your own blog, post your thoughts on John Steinbeck's use of symbolism in 'The Chrysanthemums." How does the writer use particular symbols and symbolic actions to communicate to the readers the desires and thoughts of the characters, as well as other unspoken truths about the characters in the story? You should title your response "Assignment #2--Symbolism in Steinbeck."

John Steinbeck's use of symbolism in "the chrysanthemums" is very strong in meaning yet contrastly delicate or suttle in the text itself. The particular symbols that communicate this to me in the beginning of the story is the character of Elisa. Elisa is a woman who works her flower garden each day with her husband. One particular day we find two businessmen approach her husband to learn about an issue. In this instance, we find that Elisa adores the voice of her husband when he calls after her and he tells her that she does an excellent job. The thoughts of Elisa act as a kind of stream of consciousness throughout the story in which we observe the characters' behavior.

The truth about Elisa is what this story attempts to teach the reader. She is one who thinks she knows it all (about Chrysanthemums at least). On pg. 193, it reads, "I've a gift with things, all right. She(mom)said it was having planters' hands that knew how to do it". Elisa obviously thinks highly of herself and her mother, so it seems. Her husband eventually asks her to attend a fight but she wouldnt want to go since it wasn't a ladylike move. Elisa nonetheless is great at her job, yet for another reason cannot believe in herself. This reason unfolds towards the end of the story when Elisa asks "do any women ever go to the fights?" Her husband asks her if she wants to go but she quickly says "the wine will do". She also turns her head, in a feeling of shame, and a realization of how old she was. The author does an excellent job making this claim in the way Henry (husband) treats Elisa. He seems to want Elisa to do things but at the same time doesn't. Henry says "Do you want to go? I don't think you'd like it, etc".