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The Tone in The Chrysanthemums

            The tone in The Chrysanthemums, by John Steinbeck gave me a sense of envy toward men. The main reason why I get this feeling is because Elisa Allen is a hard working housewife who doesn't really have much of a life but to stay at home and tend to the garden and the house. She enjoys her garden and her husband but feels that there could be more to life. In the beginning of the story there is no hint of her being at all envious toward the men in the story. Then, when the big stubble-bearded man comes along in the wagon who fixes pots and pans, the mood changes after she starts to talk to him. She then becomes interested in how he lives his life in his wagon. .
             Elisa's curiosity in the man grows and she starts to have these feeling of what it would be like to live in the wagon and to travel the road, with freedom and no inhibitions. She becomes very upset when he said that the wagon is not a place for a woman. That right there changes her whole tone from being happy with everything that she has and is. Then she gets upset because this guy is telling her where her place is. She gives him the chrysanthemums and sends him on his way. She then goes into the house and takes her bath to get ready to go out. .
             While taking her bath it seems like the mood changes again she turns into a feminine woman again. The reason I say this is because while trying herself of she poses in the mirror, looking at her body. She tightened her stomach and threw out her chest and looked over her shoulders. This is a typical thing that a woman would do in the mirror to look at her feminine body, trying to see if they are still beautiful. .
             Then the mood changes again when her husband comes home from doing his business with the cattle. All he did was compliment her in telling her house nice she looked all dress up. She takes this as an insult, but he didn't mean anything by it. She goes off, telling him that she is strong.


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1. Chrysanthemums

In the story of "Chrysanthemums" the tone of hopelessness is revealed through the use of language: specifically, diction, symbols, repetition, and figurative language. Diction is one of the main elements of language unveiled in the story of "Chrysanthemums" supporting the tone of hopelessness. ... This action is referred to once again when she is she is telling him how to care for the chrysanthemums (1062). ... All of these references of imagery support the tone of hopelessness. ... In John Steinbeck's "Chrysanthemums" the tone of hopelessness is revealed through the use of l...

  • Word Count: 961
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2. Womens Emotions

Elisa's Emotions in Steinbeck's "Chrysanthemums" The short story, "Chrysanthemums", written by John Steinbeck, is a story that uses plenty of symbolic objects and symbolic personal attributes to the characters. ... Her tone is noticeably different from her tone and actions toward her husband. ... "Oh, those are chrysanthemums, giant whites and yellows. ... In Elisa's case, the value of the chrysanthemums to her is what causes her to react in such a way. ... After this incident, Elisa's character changes again due to her expressed emotions caused by the chrysant...

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3. Death Foretold by a Flower

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  • Word Count: 1584
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Literature and Themes of Confinement

The settings in "The Chrysanthemums" and "To Set Our House in Order" bring to life the confinement of Elisa and Grandmother MacLeod. ... From the onset of "The Chrysanthemums" a tone of isolation is introduced: "The high gray-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from the rest of the world. ... The chrysanthemums seemed too small and easy for her energy" (Steinbeck 214), she has nowhere to use her talent. ... The point is driven home when even this extremely desperate man dumps her chrysanthemums in the road. ...

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5. John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums", at first glance, seems to be a story about a woman and her passion for gardening. ... Elisa does not seem to cultivate her chrysanthemums in a way that is gentle and loving. ... Her tone and the look on her face is smug when she replies, "Yes. ... He asks for a few sprouts to take to a customer, a lady down the road with a nice garden, but no chrysanthemums. ... Steinbeck ends "The Chrysanthemums" with Elisa Allen, a strong capable woman, accepting exclusion from personal, social, and sexual fulfillment by society's concept of women in the 193...

  • Word Count: 927
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