In the story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, Elisa is bound from expressing who she is, she is described as wearing men’s clothing which is hiding her printed dress. Her feminine aspects are hidden behind her clothing. Elisa’s husband comments on her chrysanthemums she was planting saying how they are strong flowers which pleases Elisa. She has a connection to her chrysanthemums as she plants and nurtures them as she would her own kids though her and Henry have none. Later on when Elisa is then telling her husband how she is strong as a person which reflects on society today that women protest they are strong and can do all the things men can, there should be no gap between the two. Women who are feminist protest and publicize feminism.…show more content… She feels her husband, Henry, doesn't acknowledge her femininity she has. The tinker renews Elisa’s feelings when he came to visit. She has a masculine figure that is described but while talking to the tinker her feminine side is revealed, “[s]he tore off the battered hat and shook out her dark pretty hair” (1226). Elisa feels hope for her relationship and herself as the tinker leaves with her seeds of the chrysanthemums. When Henry entered the room to see Elisa, he made a masculine remark on her appearance not recognizing her femininity. She is clearly upset by his response as she wanted him to compliment her beauty and how she looked strong. Women want to constantly be complemented on their beauty and traits. Ultimately, Elisa’s unhappiness in her life comes at the end of the story, she sees her chrysanthemums carelessly thrown on the side of the road, her hope and dreams of feminine equality were crushed. She was then left with no hope for equality. She realizes her femininity is never going to be fully appreciated in the society she lives in. Related to our society today, women may not ever be fully appreciated like Elisa though we try and protest there is only so much you can
