"Assignment #2-- Symbolism in Steinbeck."

John Steinbeck can be considered one out of the many authors who use symbolism as a way to reveal the thoughts and desires of his characters ,we can clearly see this in his story "The Chrysanthemums." Throughout the story we learn about a woman named Elisa who is married, loves her chrysanthemums and encounters a traveling salesman. If we look at the symbols that Steinbeck gives us we can clearly see how life for Elisa truly is. Steinbeck begins by describing the Salinas Valley as a "closed pot," and later on describes Elisa's appearance "her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume..... Almost completely covered by a curdoroy apron," which suggests that she is hiding within herself guarding her feelings. "He leaned over the wire fence that protected her flower garden from cattle and dogs and chickens," which also shows that Elisa was trapped in being protected by the outside world.
As the story goes on she meets the traveling salesman who claims to fix pots, knives, and other things. He arrives with a mongrel dog who is quickly apprehended by two sheperd dogs. The mongrel dog symbolizes the salesman since he's the outsider and the 2 sheperds
are Elisa and her husband. The salesman invades the closed space that Elisa has.
He introduces himself and she takes off her gloves as a symbol that she's willing to listen and open up to a stranger, something she might not do with her husband. This salesman knows how to get on her good side by pointing out her flowers. To Elisa her chrysanthemums represent something much more than flowers. When he says a bad comment about the flowers she quickly defends them just like a mother defends her children. Her chrysanthemums are her children since she has none with her husband. She then describes the connection she has with her fingers and the plants to the salesman to really let him know about making love. We can see how Elisa opening up to this stranger makes her feel when she is described showering turning her skin red. Elisa is clearly ashamed and wants to wash all the memories away. When the salesman tells Elisa that he would like some chrysanthemum seeds for a woman she is enlightened and feels hope. She quickly gives him the seeds in a red pot. For a moment she thinks that some part of her might escape and explore a world she has never met. As the story reaches it's end we can see how Elisa's hopes and dreams are quickly shattered when she discovers the seeds lying on the floor on her way to dinner with her husband. She questions her husband about men getting broken noses in bloody fights, suggesting that she wanted that for the stranger who broke her heart. Elisa knew that she would never escape such a miserable life.

About me

This is the start of many thoughts and ideas to be shared.
Today I will share some things about myself. My name is Suheidy and I am 21 years old.
I am currently attending college to pursue my dream as a bilingual teacher. I am very grateful to God for giving me health, food, a loving family and an education. I currently work in a hair salon where I love to do hair and meet different people.
I'm looking forward to making new friends and great experiences.