The Chrysanthemums
Answer the following questions about this story
- When we first meet Elisa Allen in her garden, with what details does Steinbeck delineate her character for us?
Elisa works inside a “wire fence that protected her flower garden form cattle and dogs and chickens” (paragraph 9) What does this wire fence suggest?
- How would you describe henry and Elisa’s marriage? Cite details from the story.
- With what motive does the traveling salesman take an interest in Elisa’s chrysanthemums? What immediate effect does his interest have no Elisa?
- For what possible purpose does Steinbeck give us such a detailed account of Elisa preparations for her evening out? Notice her tearing off her soiled clothes and her scrubbing her body with pumice (paragraph 93-94)
- Of what does of what significance to Elisa in the sight of the contents of the flower pot discarded in the road? Notice that, as her husband’s car overtakes the covered wagon, Elisa averts her eyes; and then Steinbeck adds, “ In a moment it was over. The thing was done. She did not look back.” (Paragraph – 111). Explain this passage.
- How do you interpret Elisa’s asking for wine with dinner? How do you account for her new interest in prizefights?
- In a sentence, try to state this short story’s theme.
- Why are Elisa Allen’s chrysanthemums so important to this story? Sum up what you understand them to mean.
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