John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” (reprinted in Edgar V. Roberts, Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, 6th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001, 447-454) is about a proud, strong woman named Elisa Allen, yet she feels frustrated with her present life. Her frustration stems from not having a child, and her husband’s failure to admire her romantically as a woman. The only outlet for her frustration is her flower garden. This is where she cultivates beautiful chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums tell a great deal about Elisa’s struggle to find her own identity. She does not seem in touch with her sexuality, and she is unable to articulate the source of the dissatisfaction. The meeting with the tinker renews Elisa’s feelings of femininity and sexuality as a woman. The tinker gives Elisa hope of a more fulfilling life, while providing her with a renewed sense of self.

In the portion of the story where Elisa is talking to the tinker, Steinbeck shows Elisa’s eagerness for attention, and how she comes to the realization that there is a more exciting life outside of the farm. In the tinker, Elisa finds someone who sees her as mo

After the tinker leaves, Elisa finally appears content with her sexuality. As she gets ready for her outing with Henry, Elisa shows complete femininity. Elisa bathes, scrubbing herself “with a little block of pumice, legs and thighs, loins and chest and arms, until her skin was scratched and red” (452). It was as if she was rinsing away the masculine exterior about her. Elisa then dries herself off, and she studies her body in the mirror. She has become comfortable with being a woman just by receiving attention from a male who is interested in her “life.” After studying herself, she applies her makeup, and she puts on her newest underclothing. She is looking forward to her evening with her husband. She hopes Henry will recognize her need as a woman, and he will provide her with the romance and excitement for which she longs. Her hope is finally crushed when she sees the flowers on the road. She feels devastated by the tinker’s thoughtless rejection of her soul. He, like her husband, has failed to appreciate the qualities that make her unique as a woman. This one symbolic act has left her with no hope. She realizes that her life is not going to change. Her femininity and sexuality are never going to be appreciated by Henry. She must learn to be content with an unexciting husband, and her less-than-romantic marriage to him. Her devastation at this realization is complete, and it leaves her “ crying weakly

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