Blog #2 John Steinbeck. "The Chrysanthemums"

The Chrysanthemums written by John steinbeck uses symbolism with Elisa Allen. She lives in Salinas Valley where in the winter its closed off, from the sky and from the world. "On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot. John Steinbeck is already giving me the visual of a lonely place, secluded from the rest of society. Elisa was 35 and married to her husband Henry Allen with no children. Elisa planted and grew lots of Chrysanthemums which she cherished and put much effort and time into it. Henry didn't pay her passion and most valuable possession any attention so she kind of felt Henry felt the same way about her. When a man in a wagon with "Pots, pans, knives, siscors, lawn mores, Fixed", written on it pulled up to her farm road in front of her house she was very well protected of herself. She wore a gardening costume which made her figure look blocked and heavy, and mans black hat pulled low down over her eyes, clodhopper shoes, a figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron with four big pockets to hold the snips, the trowel and scratcher, the seeds and the knife she worked with. She wore heavy leather gloves to protect her hands while she works.

Elisa was willing to make conversation with the very big man. She shared her love for the Chrysanthemums with the man, something she wasn't able to do with her husband often. She gave him some in a red pot to give to a lady. She told him step by step carefully what was to be done to make them grow tall. The man seem to take interest in the Chrysanthemums. John Steinbeck gives a visual of "her eyes shone", like she was in excited finally she was getting attention of what was hers that she loves so much. "She tore off her battered hat and shook out her dark pretty hair". The man gave Elisa courage to stand in front of the mirror with out any of her gardening costume and look at her body , she tightened her stomach and threw out her chest. I think John Stein is telling the readers how much more confident she feels. Elisa goes to dinner with Henry and sees on the road the Chrysanthemums she shared with the man on the road. She turned her coat collar so Henry could not see that she was crying weakly-like and old woman. Steinbeck is saying Elisa isnt happy or content with the life given to her she feel stuck. She only has her Chrysanthemums.

Blog #1

Hi my name is Ashley. I am returning to school after a two year break, I'm glad to be back. I live with my spouse, 90lb razor edge bloodline pit bull, california kingston snake and a bearded dragon. I am very into animals and would like to one day become a veterinary. My favorite color is green. Im out going, pretty easy to make friends with. I despise the cold weather.