The Man to Send Rain Clouds

Depression and Isolation of Women in a Male-Dominated Society

Women have been discriminated not only in America during the early 20th century but also at present. However, the reality of the situation somehow tells us that it is not only the manipulative ways of man that contributes to such negative circumstances but also the natural weakness of women themselves. In the story “The Chrysanthemums,” Steinbeck uses symbolism, setting and conflict to demonstrate that women feel depressed and isolated in a male-dominated society.

The symbolism in the story actually reveals the depression and isolation of women in a society where men rule and dominate. In the story, one symbolism used to represent the sensitivity and weakness of women is the chrysanthemums themselves. The chrysanthemums are described as having stems that are too small and easy for Elisa’s energy, and this is basically the same as her character. As a weak and sensitive woman, she easily becomes prey to the kindness displayed by the stranger. Just like the chrysanthemums that need to be constantly transplanted and regularly cut, women like Elisa easily believe what men tell them although this is not necessarily true. Moreover, the chrysanthemums are somehow ridiculed by Harvey when he tells Elisa, “Some of those yellow chrysanthemums you had this year were ten inches across…I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big” (Steinbeck). This line clearly shows that no matter how big the chrysanthemums are, they are basically useless. In the same way, women, during times of famine in the Depression and during the time when the story was written, basically lacked utility. For example, Elisa is a “strong, capable woman” but she is “kept from persona...

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... Through the symbolism, setting and conflict, “The Chrysanthemums” depicts the truth of the isolation and depression of women not only in early 20th century America when Steinbeck wrote his novel but also at present. In the story, the symbolism of the chrysanthemums and how it is viewed by the male characters of the story somehow shows the dominance of men and their natural tendency to manipulative women. Moreover, the setting of the story somehow describes how isolated the Salinas Valley is from the rest of the world, which is rather symbolic of women’s isolation from the rest of the free society. Lastly, the conflict in the story, which is the lying and manipulative ways of the tinker, somehow brings to mind the idea that both the evil ways of men and the submission of women actually produces the reality of gender discrimination that is very difficult to change.