The Chrysanthemums Internal Conflict

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In John Steinbeck's The Chrysanthemums, Elisa Allen faces many conflicts internal and external. These conflicts force her to change her point of view on certain things in her life. It even makes her rethink her marriage, point of view on society, and her role as a farmer’s wife in Salinas Valley, Northern California. Throughout the short story there are many conflicts that force Elisa Allen to grow and change. Elisa struggles with fitting into the role society has given women in the 1930’s and hates being confined by the man. She dresses in a non feminine fashion, cladding herself in baggy work clothes instead of a skirt and apron. “Her face was lean and strong and her eyes were as clear as water. Her figure looked blocked and heavy in her …show more content…

She suppresses all of her emotions and puts all of it into the care of her ‘children’, the beloved Chrysanthemums. Elisa feels oppressed by her husband Henry and isn’t getting what she wants out of the relationship. Elisa's attempts to make an effort towards looking nice are blind to her husband, he doesn’t realize what she does for him. Elisa even tries to get him to appreciate the beauty of her chrysanthemums, but instead he comments on how she should be doing something useful with her time instead of planting flowers in winter. Henry is a concrete wall that blocks Elisa from expressing all the feelings she wants to, whether sexually or mentally. He isn’t a bad husband but the effort that he outs into their relationship is not enough. He doesn’t see that he needs to take care of her emotional needs too. “Why—why, Elisa. You look so nice!- Nice? You think I look nice? What do you mean by 'nice'?" (Steinbeck). Their marriage is an uncomfortable fit and Elisa can feel it. She will never be satisfied with her way of life. By the end of the story, Elisa’s conflict causes her to change her view on her marriage. This is because she opened herself up to a person for the first time in what it seems is forever, and he tore her down. Elisa realizes that her marriage, although unsatisfying is stable. And that is the best she can get out of an oppressive

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