Reviews

The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck

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shelby_mae13's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

carolinadlc's review against another edition

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No entendí por completo, sorry I'm dumb

alishaabrahamsreads's review against another edition

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3.0

I really enjoyed the subversion of what the chrysanthemums meant in this story. Usually flowers symbolize femininity, gentleness, and innocence—but in this story we see how the chrysanthemums have a “bitter” or even “nasty” smell, pushing the idea of them further, perhaps as a way to represent Elisa herself. Elisa starts with a happy and strong countenance, but after the tinker comes along, she seems to be unsatisfied with her life. The sexual undertone of the flower planting ritual as well as her dissatisfaction with being an “old woman” and not being able to travel, watch fights, etc. like men do, seem to amalgamate into a story of a womens limits in this society. Elisa cannot be spontaneous like the tinker and even has to ask her husband if they can drink wine, both showing her lack of agency and control over her own desires. Elisa must be fine with the life she has, because she cannot have anything more.

melk's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Really enjoyed this beautiful short story by John Steinbeck. As I'm currently also reading East of Eden for the first time and really absolutely loving it, I was also encouraged to read The Chrysanthemums. I found it also so thought-provoking, while being short.

Steinbeck's writing gets the reader into such a flow. His characters are so human, so real, and there is so much left to ponder in every sentence.

This short story follows Elisa Allen, a woman with much passion for gardening and taking a lot of pride in her work. She struggles with her own strength and her desire to share her passions, within a world that doesn't seem fit for her.