y to understand Elisa and her longing for a more exciting life is proof of the distinct lack of harmony between the two (Kassim 1). The Chrysanthemums embody Elisa’s children for her own unharmonious marriage has produced none. Elisa, a very protective mother of her flowers, places a fence around them and “her terrier fingers destroyed [any] pests before they could get started (Steinbeck 1463).” As any mother would be, Elisa is very proud of her chrysanthemums and when she receives compliments “on her face there was a little smugness (Steinbeck 1463).” Because her husband Henry is too shy and so out of tune from Elisa their monotonous marriage ahs failed to produce children and the chrysanthemums have come to be Elisa’s children.John Steinbeck’s Elisa Allen is the depiction of a woman in Steinbeck’s world (Dickman 1). They are typically isolated and held away from outside contaminating influences. Though Elisa was isolated she was still able to pick up the stereotype of a woman’s place. She kept her sexual urgings in place for a more dull life as a farmer’s wife. The tedious life could not have been spiced up for they were lacking the fruit of a marriage, children. Elisa Allen allowed her suppressed sexuality and passion to have free reign only to have it crushed by a money-grubbing gypsy. ...
