The Chrysanthemums

The Chrysanthemums The role of most women in cultures has always been submissive and secondary when compared to men. In John Steinbeck’s short story, The Chrysanthemums, Elisa Allen is a strong woman trapped in a dull marriage. She leads a boring, terrible life that is repetitive and stifling. Elisa is a character of circumstance because of her gender. It is her place in society as a married woman that keeps her from pursuing the …showed first 75 words of 1176 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1176 total…life will not ever change and she succumbs to the horrible realization of being used by the tinker and weeps. By exposing her feminine side, she was figuratively raped. She tries to bring back her masculinity by offering to go to the fights with her husband, but it cannot shield her from the truth; she was taken advantage of by the tinker. Her exposure to vulnerability leaves this “strong” woman crying and defeated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**