Symbolism in The Chrysanthemum by John Steinbeck

Published in 1937, “The Chrysanthemum”, refers to a short story written by the famous American writer termed as John Steinbeck. The story revolves around a proud and extremely strong woman named Elisa Allen who throughout the story feels frustrated with her present life. Concerning this, Elisa’s frustration to a great extent stem from not only her childlessness but also her husband’s inability or rather failure to admire her romantically; thus as a woman (Steinbeck). As a result, Elisa’s only outlet for her life frustration is her garden in which she cultivated beautiful chrysanthemums. Throughout the short story, Steinbeck tends to bring symbolism into play in an effort to effectively communicate the story’s meaning as well as to represent Elisa’s frustrations as well as hidden passions. In relation to this, symbolism refers to an artistic style that involves the use of symbolic images inclusive of indirect suggestions, objects, a place, a person, or objects in order to express an abstract idea, or emotions (Literary Devices Editors). This paper therefore provides a detailed analysis of symbolism in story “The Chrysanthemum”.

Symbolism

The Flower Garden

In the short story, John Steinbeck uses the garden, chrysanthemums, as well as the fence around the garden to symbolize not only Elisa’s thoughts but also feelings; thus throughout the story. These symbols also advance themes such as love, loneliness, neglect, as well as passion.

Generally, the garden of chrysanthemums is symbolic of Elisa’s children which she longs for, in the story, Elisa passionately tends to her garden of chrysanthemums with both love and care as she would handle her children. She is also portrayed as very protective of the flowers as she places a fences around them to keep animals away, Elisa also ensures that no pests such as aphids, snails, and cutworms invade his garden consequently attacking her flowers (Steinbeck). The pests also to a great extent represents natural harm to her chrysanthemums and just as any good and caring mother she removes them before they have the opportunity to harm her children. When Elisa’s husband compliments her garden, she extremely pleased with her overall ability to nature the chrysanthemums. Therefore, her pride; thus in her ability to grow the chrysanthemums greatly reinforces the fact that the chrysanthemums are a symbolic replacement for Elisa’s children.

The flowers are also symbolic of Elisa’s sexuality as well as femininity, concerning this, although Elisa is presented in a masculine image as the story begins, the chrysanthemums symbolize her true beauty and femininity. Moreover, the flowers are also a symbol or rather and extension of Eliza herself and her actions of loving, tending, and caring for them shows the need to be not only loved but also cared for by a man particularly her husband. On the other hand, Elisa’s husband lack of interest in the chrysanthemums as demonstrated in his remarks, “I wish you'd work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big"is symbolic of his lack of interest in Elisa as a woman (Steinbeck, 2). Therefore, the chrysanthemums are a symbolic of Elisa’s own existence.

The Garden Fence

Elisa’s garden fence is used for the purpose of protecting her beautiful flower garden from animals such as cattle, the fence is also symbolic of a boundary that protects or rather separates the character from the man’s world and does not allow her to get entangled in it, she is therefore safe only if she chooses to stay with the boundaries (Steinbeck). However, in the story, Elisa steps outside the symbolic fence when the tinker visits her and she begins developing feelings for him. Moreover,  the symbolic fence also depicts her separation/isolation Elisa from the rest of the world, concerning this, as seen in the story Elisa barely has any friends; hence, lives isolation.

Elisa’s Clothing

In the short story Chrysanthemum, different types of clothing worn by the main/primary character Elisa Allen are used symbolically throughout the short story. Concerning this, as the story commences, the author provides a vivid description of the character’s clothing, according to him, Elisa wore a man’s black hat which had been pulled down; thus over her eyes, a dress which has been extremely covered by the big corduroy apron that she wore which had four pockets that held snips as well as clod-hopper shoes. The author recounts that, “her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume” (Steinbeck, 1). Generally, Elisa’s dressing while at her garden is symbolic of the oppression she; as a woman faces due to not only her gender but also her position in life. Just as her masculine outfit to a great extent seems to weigh her down so does the masculine patriarchy; in her society suppress her freedom. In addition, the author also uses Elisa’s clothing to symbolize her concealed passions, in relation to this, the character subdues all her sexual desires primarily by hiding beneath the both the manly tools and clothing.

Later in the story, following Elisa’s encounter with the tinker, Elisa rushes back to the house where removes all her clothes entirely which a shedding which to a great extent symbolically represents Elisa’s increasing or rather growing sense of both independence and her increasing desire to free from the society’s masculine forces which suppress her. Elisa then takes a bath where she scrubs herself vigorously using “little block of pumice…until her skin scratched red”, which is symbolic of Elisa’s shedding of her old self; hence, bring new life as well as change (Steinbeck). Afterwards Elisa dresses in one of the most feminine outfits she possess, and does both her hair and makeup carefully. Overall, Elisa’s encounter with the tinker to a great extent also awakens not only her sexuality but also her power and her feminine clothing as well as overall look is to a great extent symbolic of the awakening.

In conclusion, in the short story chrysanthemums a number of symbols among them the garden of chrysanthemums, the garden fence, and Elisa’s clothing to bring meaning to the story that is beyond the literal meaning. Furthermore these symbols also aid the author in illustrating the story primarily by striking a highly emotional chord; thus with the audience.    

Works Cited

Literary Devices Editors. “Symbolism”.  LiteraryDevices.net., (2013). Retrieved from; https://literarydevices.net/symbolism/

Steinbeck, John. “The Chrysanthemums”. (n.d.). Pp. 12. Retrieved from: http://olli.illinois.edu/downloads/courses/2018%20Spring/Short,%20Short%20Stories/THEMUMS.WEEK4.pdf

Steinbeck, John. “The Chrysanthemums; A Classic American Short Story by John Steinbeck (1902-1968)”. Literary Fictions, (n.d.). Retrieved from; https://literaryfictions.com/fiction-1/the-chrysanthemums-by-john-steinbeck-2/