Assignment #2--Symbolism in Steinbeck

John Steinbeck has used many of symbolism in “The Chrysanthemums” since the symbolism in this article can create a better image of what John Steinbeck is trying to put across the main character, Elisa. Elisa has a lonely life because she got marry with his husband who is usually busy on his cattle, his orchards, and his ranch. His husband paid little attention to Elisa and her Chrysanthemums that we can see from article “some of those yellow chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches across. I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big,” (193). In this situation, Elisa was lonely and force on her chrysanthemums. “The wire fence that protected her flower garden from cattle and dogs and chickens (193)” symbolizes that she really cared her chrysanthemums. Also, when the traveling man said the smell of chrysanthemums is nasty, she was angry and retorted immediately. Beginning of “It was a time of quiet and of waiting (192),” it symbolizes that it would be a person who is waiting for something happen. This means Elisa is waiting for something which can change her life so that she would not feel such lonely any more. This symbolism is more like foreshadowing in the story that the traveling man will finally appear in front of Elisa. “That’s a bright direction. There’s a glowing there” which seems to talk about the correct direction for traveling man; however, it may symbolize Elisa has find a bright direction or have some change in her life. And then, she tried to make herself beauty, she was more beautiful that she was before that we can see from the reaction of his husband “why-why, Elisa. You look so nice!”

On the other hand, I want to talk about the character- the traveling man. He is a smart and business person. He knows how to catch the chance to do business. There are some symbolic showing that he had such a business mind. When he tried to persuade Elisa to let him repair something and Elisa refused, he soon changed the topic about the Chrysanthemums in order to get close to Elisa. “It’ nice, just like you say. Only when you don’t’ have no dinner, it ain’t. (196)” is a symbol that he’s final purpose is to do business with Elisa. He was so tactful on the way he did so that finally Elisa carried two old and battered aluminum saucepans for him to repair. After that, when Elisa asked him to keep the sand damp, he clucked his tongue: “Sand, ma’ma? ... Sand? Oh, sure. You mean around the chrysanthemums. Sure I will. (197)” which symbolizes that he has forgot the chrysanthemums because everything about the chrysanthemums he talked was a lie.

The story written by John Steinbeck is interesting because the symbolism let the reader to think about the story and image the story.

About me

My name is Wenhui Luo, and my English name is Fei. I was born in the southern part of China. I finished high school when I was in China. My stronger subjects in school were mathematics and biology. My major in China was pharmacy, it was a demanding major which could offer me a good future. I have always worked hard in high school in China, especially during junior year. I was ranked number one in all my biology classes within my major in every test and exam. I was surely convinced that I could have successfully entered the college I wanted with my high grades in high school. I actually did so; I have gotten accepted to the college of my choice, however, I chose to immigrate to the United States for my new life.