Analysis of Character : "The Chrysanthemums"
             John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" shows the true feelings of the main character,
             Elisa Allen, through the use of setting and her interactions with other characters in
             the story. By way of vivid descriptions, Elisa's feelings of dissatisfaction over
             the lack of excitement in her life are portrayed. Her role as a mere housewife and
             then the subsequent change to feelings of a self-assured woman are clearly seen. These
             inner feelings are most apparent with the portrayal of Elisa working in the garden with
             the chrysanthemums, the conversation she has with the man passing through, and finally,
             when she and her husband are going out to dinner.
             Steinbeck's strong and somewhat manly description of Elisa while working in the garden,
             gives the distinct impression that she is not as weak as a stereotypical housewife would
             be. He writes that "Her face was lean and strong and her eyes were as clear as water.
             Her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume, a man's black hat pulled
             low down over her eyes, clodhopper shoes, a figured print dress almost completely covered
             by a big corduroy apron with four big pockets to hold the snips, the trowel and scratcher,
             the seeds and the knife she worked with." As evidenced by this excerpt you can see that she
             has covered up her hair with a "man's hat" and has thrown an apron over her dress in attempts
             to cover up her femininity. This apron also takes on a similar role as a man's tool belt as he
             works the land. This initial description lends to the notion that Elisa wants to be stronger as
             a woman, to stand beyond the stereotype of a housewife. Other phrases used by Steinbeck further
             the above points. The author mentions that her face was "handsome," her work with the scissors was
             "over-powerful," and her fingers "destroyed such pests." This description shows an ...