Part 1 of Essay
The Use of Symbols in John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” In John Steinbeck’s short story, “The Chrysanthemums,” he uses the flower to symbolize his main character’s thoughts and ideas. There are many examples of such symbolism in this work. Elisa Allen is a lonely woman who enj ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big” (Page 207), shows how little his interest he has for her chrysanthemums/herself. As shown here, Elisa does not feel appreciated by her husband and so she takes care of her chrysanthemums, symbols of how beautiful she really is. Early in the story, Steinbeck uses little symbolic phrases to let the reader know that the chrysanthemums are an extension of Elisa. Her gardening area could be described as a “cage” to protect herself from anythin ....