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 enjoys growing and nourishing her chrysanthemums. Since h...

The use of symbols in fiction is to give the events of the story and stronger presence and to help explain better the intent of the story. Just as dialogue, characterization, and plot work on the surface to move a story along, symbolism works under the surface to connect the story's outside action ...