the chrysanthemuns

Name

Professor R .M . Stambaugh

English Composition 2

Simple Yet Complicated

During his lifetime , John Steinbeck wrote a number of stories that depict the social struggles of the common people , especially those living in the rural areas . His stories commonly express a streak of worship of the soil (The Nobel Foundation 1962 , which could be attributed to his agricultural background as he was raised in Salinas California . In the story , The Chrysanthemums ' Steinbeck provides a view of the struggles women face as they attempt to establish their identity in

a male-dominated society . Through setting and symbolism , the author projects an image of the society that alienated simple wives like the protagonist , Elisa Allen

In the story , Steinbeck depicts reality through the use of realistic setting . Set in his hometown in Salinas California , the author illustrates the simplicity of life in the agricultural land that flourished beginning the 1800s (Salinas California Website 2009 . The introduction provides the story a melancholic tone . The high gray-flannel fog of winter ' that closes on the Salinas Valley suggests the emotions of characters , the coldness between the couple , Elisa and Henry . It also foreshadows the emotions Elisa will feel at the end as she learns truth about her experience

Further s of the setting provide a more vivid illustration of the emotions assigned to the character . The yellow stubble fields that bathed in pale cold sunshine ' symbolize the hard heartedness of the characters , the coldness of their hearts - Elisa towards her husband and the repairman and...