Question

In “the chrysanthemums” why is Elisa considered a complex character?

Answer 1

Character Analysis of Elisa Allen in "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck

"The Chrysanthemums," written by John Steinbeck, captures one day in the life of a woman who yearns for a more fulfilling life. Elisa is first portrayed as a woman whose tasks are exceeded by her abilities. As the day continues, a stranger briefly enters her life and, through manipulative words, fills her heart with hopes of change and excitement. We learn that these newly-found hopes are crushed when Elisa eventually realizes that she has been used. A stranger manages to break Elisa's heart, not because of who Elisa appears to be, but because of who Elisa really is. To understand "The Chrysanthemums," we must first know the "real" Elisa. 

As she is …show more content… 

Apart from her gardening attire, Elisa's tendency to complete such a large amount of manual labor also blocks her femininity from our eyes. On top of all of that manual labor, Elisa also manages to keep her home spotless: "It was a hard-swept looking little house with hard-polished windows, and a clean mud mat on the front steps." It is obvious to us that Elisa has energy to burn. She seems to love work, the more work the better. In one instance, as Elisa was tending to her Chrysanthemums, Henry says, "I wish you'd work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big" to which Elisa enthusiastically responds, "Maybe I could do it, too."

We do not actually know the "real" Elisa until we reach the end of the story. In reality, we initially see her through her husband's eyes, since it seems that he does not know the "real" Elisa either. Poor Henry probably thinks that he makes his wife happy and that she has all that she needs in life. If Henry were only to pay closer attention to his wife's words, he might become aware of her true feelings. We may notice, as we read her story, that when Elisa speaks to Henry, she excessively repeats one word, "good." She is not as expressive towards Henry as she is towards the stranger. It seems as though she is faking enthusiasm when she uses this word, "good for you...it will be good, tonight, a good dinner." Another

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Character Analysis of Elisa Allen in "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck "The Chrysanthemums," written by John Steinbeck, captures one day in the life of a woman who yearns for a more fulfilling life. Elisa is first portrayed as a woman whose tasks are exceeded by her abilities. As the day continues, a stranger briefly enters her life and, through manipulative words, fills her heart with hopes of change and excitement. We learn that these newly-found hopes are crushed when Elisa eventually realizes that she has been used. A stranger manages to break Elisa's heart, not because of who Elisa appears to be, but because of who Elisa really is. To understand "The Chrysanthemums," we must first know the "real" Elisa. As she is first introduced to the reader, Elisa seems to be a woman who is satisfied with her life. Elisa appears to be part of a happy, fulfilling marriage; her husband, Henry, is earning a comfortable living and he even offers to take her out to dinner and a movie in celebration of his most recent sale. We assume that Elisa's main hobby and obsession are her precious chrysanthemums, since she spends most of the story tending to them. We also notice that the attire she is wearing, as she completes her various tasks, hides most of her feminine qualities. Apart from her gardening attire, Elisa's tendency to complete such a large amount of manual labor also blocks her femininity from our eyes. On top of all of that manual labor, Elisa also manages to keep her home spotless: "It was a hard-swept looking little house with hard-polished windows, and a clean mud mat on the front steps." It is obvious to us that Elisa has energy to burn. She seems to love work, the more work the better. In one instance, as Elisa was tending to her Chrysanthemums, Henry says, "I wish you'd work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big" to which Elisa enthusiastically responds, "Maybe I could do it, too." We do not actually know the "real" Elisa until we reach the end of the story.

Answer 2

As per the short story, Elisa is just a housewife.

Apart from the monotonous things of her daily life, she yearns for something more.

She is constantly tending to the chrysanthemums, and her complex characterization is also a part of her relationship with her husband.

However, as the story progresses and reaches its end, it becomes evident that Elisa’s false self-esteem cannot provide her any relief for her daily life.