Symbolic Chysanthemums

            
             John Steinbeck, in "The Chrysanthemums", focuses his story on a woman named Eliza and her extraordinarily large Chrysanthemums. Steinbeck uses the flowers to symbolize two things. First, the Chrysanthemums and the manner in which she cares for them, take the place of raising the children she and her husband never created. Second, the flowers represent Eliza's soul in regards to her sexuality. .
             In the first page of the story, Steinbeck portrays Eliza as a weary, aging woman. It seems to the reader that Eliza is just insipidly going through the motions of her day. Then, her husband inquires about this years Chrysanthemum crop. Her husband, Henry, asks Eliza if she is "at it again". Eliza answers back very arrogantly, "Yes they"ll be strong this coming year". This comment made by Eliza in a "smug" manner, implies that she takes great pride in her prize flowers. Further more; Steinbeck goes into detail about the method in which she cares for the chrysanthemums. .
             "The chrysanthemums were too small and easy for her energy. She . . . put her strong fingers . . . into the forest of new green chrysanthemum sprouts. No aphids were there, no sow bugs or snails or cutworms. Her terrier fingers destroyed such pests before they could get started" (Steinbeck). .
             The flowers are children to Eliza and she is protecting them. She refuses to let anything harm them. She wants be positive they aren't touched by outsiders. She is content and satisfied with her capability as a "mother" in caring for these flowers. Eliza's joy in her "planting hands" and their power to grow suck exquisite chrysanthemums stresses the fact that Eliza has exchanged her non-existent children for these flowers.
             Steinbeck states, "there is no sunshine in the valley now in December" (pp. Steinbeck). The author makes a point in the beginning of the story to describe the setting as dismal and frigid. He does this purposely. When a visitor comes to the ranch requesting directions Eliza gives him the quickest way to where he is going.