Steinbeck utilizes the imagery to reinforce the mood of Elisa and the tone of her marriage.
Symbolism is also significant to understand the underlying issues of the Allen couple. The most compelling symbol in the story is the chrysanthemums, serving as the children Elisa does not have. It is obvious how she care for the plants that they are more to her than just plants; they are the creations that she gives back to the world. She cares for the in an extraordinary way, much like a parent would care for a child. We are told there are "no aphids, no sow bugs or snails or cutworms were there, no sow bugs or snails or cutworms" (1327) in Elisa's garden. We can also tell that she loves her plants because the flowerbed is also tended to with the utmost attention. They are an extension of her and when she gives them to the stranger, she is giving him a portion of herself. When we look at Elisa's situation from this perspective, we can see how her act of kindness was a symbol that the stranger may or may not have known. He wanted something from her and he knew that directing her conversation to the flowers would soften her attitude. A the end of the story, when she sees the flowers...
The tears she cries are for her hurt child and for herself as she realizes that the stranger was never interested in her masterpieces.
The Chrysanthemums," paints the picture of a woman that needs more in her life. While she loves her flowers, it turns out that they are the only things that she does love. Furthermore, they are the only things that bring her joy and help her feel complete. The attention to the flowers allows Elisa to express her maternal side in an environment that does not appear to have any children in the future. The destruction of the chrysanthemums represents the destruction of something Elisa brought into the world and nurtured; to destroy them was to destroy a piece of Elisa. Through symbol and imagery, we understand the plight of this lonely woman and, as a result, we understand the plight of mankind in a world that can be cold and cruel at times.
Works Cited
Steinbeck, John. "The Chrysanthemums." The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction. Cassill, R.V., ed. New York W.W. Norton and Company. 1981. 1326-35.
