John Steinbeck in his short story The Chrysanthemums used many ideas for symbols. In fact the use of the chrysanthemums symbolizes the main character Elisa ideas and thoughts. The flowers also refer to her beauty. When her husband shows no interest and does not appreciate her she feels depressed and neglected so she turns to her pride and joy the chrysanthemums. Elisa and the chrysanthemums are defined as one in the story. When a stranger comes into Elisa life and talks with so many compliments about the chrysanthemums and him showing interest in the flowers also showed that he had some interest in Elisa. With this interest Elisa feels like a new woman and she feels wanted and appreciated. Elisa confidence went to a new high and felt like a sexy woman with her putting on her sexy clothes and transformed into a model. Her excitement from the stranger’s interest in her chrysanthemums, gives her the confidence to grow and blossom like her flower.
Also The Salinas Valley symbolizes Elisa’s emotional life. The story opens with a very detailed description of the valley. The metaphor of the valley as a “closed pot” suggests that Elisa is trapped inside an airless world and that her existence has reached a boiling point. Although there is sunshine nearby, no light penetrates the valley. Sunshine is often associated with happiness, and the suggestion is that while people near her are happy, Elisa is not. It is December, and the atmosphere in the valley is chilly and watchful but not yet devoid of hope. This description of the weather and the general spirits of the inhabitants of the valley applies equally well to Elisa, who is like an empty field: quiet but not beaten down or unable to grow.
