the chrysanthemums

“The Chrysanthemums” John Steinbeck, in his short story "The Chrysanthemums" depicts the trials of a woman attempting to gain power in a man's world. Elisa Allen tries to define the boundaries of her role as a woman in such a closed society. While her environment is portrayed as a tool for social repression, it is through nature in her garden where Elisa gains and shows off her power. As the story progresses, Elisa has trouble …

…wine" she wants at dinner is a way to show her acceptance of this fact, of the typical married life of a woman. She condemns herself to attempting to gain power through normal female attempts in a static society. Elisa cries at the end, making her look "like an old woman" with the realization of this fact, that indeed, she will continue to age into the role of an old woman still enclosed by society.