Character Roles in Steinbeck's The Crhysantemums

Character Roles in Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” In “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, the role of Elisa shifts several times throughout the story, from the loving, sensitive wife, to strong, independent woman and back. This all comes about from a meeting with a traveling repairman. Her attraction to the repairman, and his apparent interest in Elisa’s prized chrysanthemums, gives her a feeling of strength that she does not achieve from being with her husband …

…all bloody during their fights. The very last line, though shows how Elisa felt about the whole episode: “She turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly - like an old woman (345).” It’s obvious that Steinbeck use a shift in gender roles in describing Elisa’s character. Her change from loving, quiet wife to strong, independent woman and back are what make this such a great story.