John Steinbeck’s short story “The Chrysanthemums” is filed with symbolism. In the beginning of the story, we learn that "fog and rain do not go together". Fog and rain can be seen as the male/female equivalents to the main character Elisa Allen, and her husband Henry. Elisa is lonely, unloved and unappreciated by her husband. Steinbeck portrays her behavior as that similar to the dog. She is faithful and obeys her husband, as a dog would its master. She also looks for appreciation and acceptance like a mongrel dog would. The author describes her voice as “husky”, which right away brings to mind thoughts about a dog breed (Alaskan or Siberian Husky). When Steinbeck describes her behavior towards snow bugs, snails and cutworms, again comparing it to a dog’s behavior, he writes, “Her terrier fingers destroyed such pests before they could get started”. Furthermore, when Steinbeck characterizes Elisa’s meeting with the tinker, he again compares her behavior to that of a dog; he writes, “She crouched low like a fawning dog”, when the tinker becomes attractive for her and when she becomes angry at what he is saying, he goes on to state, “Her upper lip raised a little, showing her teeth”.
The title chrysanthemums flowers have been used to symbolize Elisa’s hankering for children. The way she cares for her flowers is the way she would for her children - with love, care and pride. Steinbeck writes, "she turned the soil over and over, and smoothed it and patted it firm”.
Another symbol used by Steinbeck is a bright red flowerpot that Elisa brings for the tinker. The red is important here because red is the symbol of power, love and passion. At this point in the story, Elisa is beginning to feel her own power. She realizes she can bring forth life in her flowers, even if she is not powerful in other aspects of her life. Also, since the encounter with the tinker is likened to a sexual experience, the red flowerpot signifies their passion. The pot symbolize her self and her feelings. When Elisa digs up the flowers to put them in the pot, Steinbeck notes, "The gloves were forgotten now". This is the part of the story when she reaches the pinnacle of her experience with the tinker as she finds digging in the dirt liberating; Initially sexually frustrated at the beginning of the story, covering her hands with gloves, Elisa now has been set free and she is not shy anymore to show her sexuality. All these symbols make this story a bit difficult to comprehend at first, but after deeper analysis make it amazing.
