Literature provides a concentrated, imaginative vision of the world.
The type of literature known as the short story deals with every
conceivable subject. An author can dramatize any aspect of human
nature or the human condition: youth, happiness, marriage, divorce,
nonconformity, growing old, dying. The narrative gives life to the idea,
but what an author wants to convey about some aspect of life is what
makes the story significant and meaningful.
OPENING
Summary and
Theme
OPENING
Summary of the story followed by a one-sentence
statement of the theme*.
In “The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck tells the story of Elisa, the 35
year old wife of Henry, a rancher who is unaware of the state of her
loneliness. One day a 'tinker' arrives and taps into Elisa's repressed
passion and desire in order to 'con' her out of a pot. He flatters her
ability to plant and raise flowers, but in reality could care less. Lisa is
taken in and gives him a pot with some of her flowers only to see later
that evening (as she rides toward town with her husband) that the
tinker has tossed the flowers away. Through Elisa's story, Steinbeck
shows us how women who are unhappy can be easy prey.
* The central idea, or theme, of a story is the motivating force that influences the author's
choices.
PLOT
Chronological?
PLOT SECTION
Briefly outline the major events of the story, identify
whether or not they are presented in chronological
order and if they are not, explain why.
The plot of “The Chrysanthemums” is chronological. Elisa is tending to
her garden when the tinker arrives and talks her into giving him a pot.
After he leaves. Henry offers to take her to dinner and on their way
she sees that the flowers have been tossed aside. Steinbeck does no
tell us that the tinker has done that until Elisa sees them. By doing this
he has saved the revelation of the betrayal so that we share it with
Elisa and so, feel her pain.
CONFLICT
Between?
CONFLICT SECTION
Identify the conflict, explain whether it is internal
or external and what it is 'between‘ followed by
support for your 'claim
The conflict in the story is internal, within Elisa. She is torn between
her mundane life which is devoid of excitement and adventure and the
world described by the tinker, filled with travel and exotic experiences
(or so she believes.) Sadly, this conflict is not resolved, as Steinbeck
suggest she will always be as she is, for in the end "she was crying
weakly--like an old woman."
CHARACTER
Round/Flat
Static/Dynamic
CHARACTER SECTION
Brief description of each character followed by the
character's type (Round or Flat, Static or Dynamic)
and if he or she is a stereotype. With support for each
choice.
There are only three characters in this story. Elisa is the most
developed. Her character is round and dynamic. She has many
facets to her character; she is a wife and she is an extra-ordinary
gardener, but she is childless and has substituted her flowers for the
children she (or, perhaps, Henry) cannot have. By the end of the
story, she is a different woman. She knows she has been played for
a fool. Henry and the tinker are flat and static. They have only one
side to their character and they do not change.
SETTING
Where/When
SETTING SECTION
Identify where and when the story takes place and
what impact that has on the theme of the story
The story takes place in the Salinas Valley in California, probably in
the 1930's. In those days, situations like Elisa's were not uncommon.
And travelling tinkers like the pot mender were not unusual. One of
the major roles of the wife of a farmer or rancher in those days was to
provide children to work the farm or ranch. Elisa had none so she is
relegated to one of the few things available at that time--gardening.
Had this story taken place today we would likely be wondering why
Elisa didn't have a career of her own or why she didn't leave her sad
situation.
Who tells the
story
POINT OF VIEW SECTION
Identify the narrator
The story is told by an omniscient narrator. Although Steinbeck
doesn't delve into the minds of the characters he provides many
clues as to how they feel through their actions. As they talk, Elisa's
"breast swelled passionately" and the tinker looks "away selfconsciously." But Henry's conversation is filled with 'blundering' and
'bewilderment.' We can tell how they feel and the ending of the
story, when Elisa cries, is a clear indication of her emotional state.
What devices
used
LANGUAGE SECTION
Identify the language elements and what they contribute
Steinbeck uses a variety of language elements in this story, including
metaphors, similes, symbolism, irony, and dialogue. His description of the
Salinas valley where Elisa lives uses a simile to describe the 'trap' she's in
as well as a foreshadowing of the pot repairman's visit.("The high greyflannel fog...sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a
closed pot.") Steinbeck also uses symbolism to describe how Elisa's
Chrysanthemums have come to replace the children she does not have.
Even her husband seems to be aware of this.
Summary of the
paper
CONCLUSION
Restate the interpretation and sum up the paper
It is through Elisa's story that Steinbeck shows us the sad plight of women
like Elisa whose station in life makes them easy prey for unscrupulous
people like the tinker. Her character's internal conflict, the setting of the
story, the events that make up the plot, and the language, with its
overtones of sexual frustration, work together to produce a tale that is
unforgettable. It makes us feel better to know that such situations are
less likely in today's world where women are free to pursue their dreams
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Chronological?
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Major events of the story in chronological order
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Chronological?
Between?
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Major events of the story in chronological order
Internal or external and what it is 'between
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Chronological?
Between?
Round/Flat
Static/Dynamic
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Major events of the story in chronological order
Internal or external and what it is 'between
Brief description of each character followed by
the character's type
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Chronological?
Between?
Round/Flat
Static/Dynamic
Where/When
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Major events of the story in chronological order
Internal or external and what it is 'between
Brief description of each character followed by
the character's type
Where and when the story takes place
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Chronological?
Between?
Round/Flat
Static/Dynamic
Where/When
Who tells the
story
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Major events of the story in chronological order
Internal or external and what it is 'between
Brief description of each character followed by
the character's type
Where and when the story takes place
The narrator [Omniscient, First Person?]
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Round/Flat
Static/Dynamic
Brief description of each character followed by
the character's type
Chronological?
Major events of the story in chronological order
Between?
Where/When
Who tells the
story
What devices
used
Internal or external and what it is 'between
Where and when the story takes place
The narrator [Omniscient, First Person?]
Identify the language elements and what they contribute
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS
Summary and
Theme
Summarize the story; conclude with onesentence statement of the theme.
Round/Flat
Static/Dynamic
Brief description of each character followed by
the character's type
Chronological?
Major events of the story in chronological order
Between?
Where/When
Who tells the
story
What devices
used
Analysis
Summary
Internal or external and what it is 'between
Where and when the story takes place
The narrator [Omniscient, First Person?]
Identify the language elements and what they contribute
Restate interpretation and summarize the discussion.