Elisa Allen, Confused? Like many short stories, John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” deceives most readers by appearing to be a simple short story. “The Chrysanthemums,” which only occupies about eight pages in textbooks, captures the emotional pain of a woman trying to live in the 1930’s. As critic Stanley Renner wrote, “’The Chrysanthemums’” shows “a strong capable woman kept from personal, social, and sexual fulfillment by the prevailing conception of a woman’s role in a world dominated by men” (Renner 306). Elisa Allen, the only female in “The Chrysanthemums” displays her sexual frustrations throughout the short story by slipping in and out of masculine and feminine characteristics.“The Chrysanthemums” begins by describing Elisa’s surroundings. The fog covers the valley like “a closed pot” (Steinbeck 220), which symbolizes Elisa’s isolation from the world. Because the Allen’s live away from town, Elisa rarely encounters other people besides her husband, Henry Allen. The work “on Henry Allen’s foothill ranch,” (220) as it is described, is scarce, leaving Elisa to work in her garden. Wearing “a man’s black hat, . . . clod-hopper shoes,” and “heavy leather gloves,” Elisa’s appearance begins as very masculine (220). This masculine vision of Elisa is the first sign she is sexually frustrated. Elisa continuously glances at her husband, who is speaking with two men, almost adoringly. When first reading this image, the reader may pass it off as useless information, but after studying Elisa’s character, it is evident Elisa is envious of the “male” meeting. She asks her husband, curiously who the men were, and he answers her as short as possible. Henry avoids speaking about masculine “business” with Elisa for ...
