In the story “The Chrysanthemums” John Steinbeck uses symbolism to reflect the characteristics of his protagonist, Elisa Allen. Elisa, a married woman, inconspicuously discovers her deeply suffocated femininity. Her life in the valley had been limited to the duties of a housewife and the only sustenance that seemed to exist could simply be found in her chrysanthemum garden. Only when she meets a remote tinkerer looking for work does she begin to reach many of the inner emotions that had long inhibited her femininity. The tinkerer's cunning sparks an interest in Elisa's chrysanthemum garden which encourages Elisa to react radically. When Elisa realizes that there are other ways to live, she attempts to lift the lid on Salinas Valley, but unfortunately the tinker's insincere actions return Elisa to her old self and leave Elisa without any optimism about her empty breakthrough. The somber details of Steinbeck's setting, the strong description of the chrysanthemums, and the telling illustration of the red flowerpot reveal the distant and natural ambitions that Elisa Allen desired to achieve. The Salinas Valley is the symbol of Elisa's inner feelings. The farming responsibilities that Elisa shared with her husband Henry encouraged “cold and tender” thoughts that often made Elisa feel “closed off from the rest of the world” (para. 1). His lonely and empty days began to “cloud” the belief of better days to come. The [quiet of waiting] yearned for any “strong and positive” notions (paragraph 2) that had yet to be cultivated. But until Elisa was given the opportunity to free herself from such desires, she had to remain forcibly content within her chrysanthemum garden. The chrysanthemum... in the center of the card... and ready to be rediscovered again. At the beginning of the story Henry treats Elisa to dinner in the city and reluctantly suggests they go to a local fight. Elisa, not fond of arguments, refuses. In retrospect to her inner ambitions, Steinbeck tactfully portrays the message that the only way to follow "the bright direction" that Elisa strongly desires is to be willing to fight for it. However, do not be fooled into believing that such inspirations to acquire will come to you. But Elisa, really nervous, at the end of the story asks Henry about the fights and he suggests if she wants to go. She refuses, Steinbeck once again symbolically suggesting that she is not willing to fight for what she wants. So her chrysanthemums will remain out of reach until she decides to do so. Works Cited Roberts, Edgar, Literature An induction to Reading and Writing, Steinbeck, John "The Chyranthemums"