Steinbeck
In John Steinbeck’s short story, “The Chrysanthemums,” he uses the flower to symbolize his main character’s thoughts and ideas. ... The result of this dispassionate marriage leads Steinbeck to describe his main character as follows, “Her face lean and strong…Her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume, a man’s black hat pulled low…clod-hopper shoes…completely covered by a big corduroy apron…” (Page 206-207) This neglect from her busband causes her to turn to her “chrysanthemums,” of which she is very proud. ... Early in the story, Steinbeck uses little symbolic phrases to let the reader know that the chrysanthemums are an extension of Elisa.