Monday, July 31, 2006
"The Chrysanthemums" Notes and Homework Questions
THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS—NOTES
BY JOHN STEINBECK
JOHN STEINBECK
BORN 1902—DIED 1968
HIS BEST KNOWN NOVEL IS THE GRAPES OF WRATH
THE CENTRAL THEME OF HIS WRITINGS IS THE QUIET DIGNITY HE SAW IN THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED
HIS CHARACTERS ARE TRAPPED IN AN UNFAIR WORLD.
THEMES AND MEANINGS
THE SETTING OF THIS STORY IS SALINAS, CA.
THE CHARACTERS ARE HAPPY TO BE MAKING A DECENT LIVING BUT THEY SENSE THERE MAY BE SOMETHING MORE TO LIFE.
ELISA HAS THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF A WOMAN’S PLACE. SHE DISPLAYS NO PARTICULAR STRENGTH, BUT WE LEARN THAT SHE IS A SENSITIVE, LOVELY WOMAN.
STEINBECK’S QUESTION TO US IN THIS STORY IS…SHOULD A PERSON SETTLE FOR SECURITY AND A LACK OF PAIN OR SHOULD HE OR SHE RISK HIS OR HER DREAMS IN AN ATTEMPT TO LIVE MORE COMPLETELY AND INTENSELY.
THE STORY SUGGESTS THAT THE RISKS ARE HIGH.
ELISA ALLEN IS GRATEFUL FOR HER HUSBAND’S KINDNESS AND PROVISIONS OF SECURITY BUT THE STRANGER BRINGS THOUGHTS OF A LIFE SHE HAS SENSED SHE WAS MISSING.
THE PARADOX IS THAT THE STRANGER HAS MANIPULATED HER EMOTIONS TO FULFIL HIS OWN NEEDS—OF MONEY—HE HAS NO CONCERN FOR HER.
STYLE AND TECHNIQUE
ELISA’S SELF WORTH IS TIED TO THE LAND
THE SETTING IS CONNECTED TO ELISA’S PSYCHIC STATE
ELISA IS EARTH BOUND—ROOTED TO HER GARDEN BUT ALSO HELD DOWN BY IT.
THE STRANGER IN CONTRAST IS NOT BOUND BY ANYTHING—HE HAS A FREEDOM TO ROAM
CONTRAST FROM ELISA AND HER GARDON TO THE WORLD BEYOND.
• John Steinbeck wrote novels, short stories, dramas and essays
• He is best known for realistic and vivid portrayals of hardships of the great Depression in THE GRAPES OF WRATH
• His chief subject is the process of life.
• All our human intentions are betrayed by our animal natures
• Steinbeck sees himself as a realist in the depression era.
• Henry Allen is the husband who is a hard working cattle farmer
• Elise Allen is his wife who is a strong woman and does not seem to receive recognition from her husband in a romantic way.
• The frustration deepens because she is childless and feels the need to mother.
• Her outlet is her flower garden.
• The chrysanthemums are a symbol which represent her tender, inner self.
• They may symbolize her children--she loves and care for them and protects her flowers.
• Elisa becomes interested in the “junk man” because he shows interest in her chrysanthemums ( in order to persuade her to find something for her to fix)
• With the strangers comments about the chrysanthemums, she feels appreciated and attracted to him.
• In their exchange she gives the man a potted chrysanthemum—which is a part of herself.
• She now has confidence in her womanhood and she transforms from a gardener to a model.
• The stranger’s interest in her chrysanthemums gives her confidence to grow and blossom.
• The last critical scene—Elisa sees her precious chrysanthemums on the ground minus the pot they were in.
• She was fooled into giving a part of herself to a stranger only to find that part of her is discarded.
• As she begins to cry she reverts back to her old self—losing her self confidence.
ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS
1. Explain the contribution of Steinbeck’s description to the story’s themes and ideas. How, where and why does he use description?
2. Articulate Steinbeck’s treatment of the chrysanthemums as a symbol.
3. Discuss Elisa in relation to constructions to womanhood. How does this story depict` women and why does Elisa cry at the end of the story?
HOMEWORK: DUE THE DAY AFTER WE COMPLETE THE STORY.
THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS by John Steinbeck
A. Write a sentence for each of the following words. Sentences must reflect the story.
1. foothills
2. shaggy
3. burro
4. aphids
5. terrier
B. Briefly answer the following questions.
1. Describe the setting. Why was it a time of “quiet and waiting.”?
2. What is Elisa Allen doing at the beginning of the story? Be specific.
3. What statement does Henry make about Elisa’s talent for gardening, and how does he wish she might use her talents?
4. What business deal has Henry just made?
5. How does he plan to celebrate?
6. How does Henry joke with Elisa? What is her response?
7. Who arrives, and what is his mission?
8. What does the author suggest when he says that the man’s eyes are full of “the brooding that gets in the eyes of teamsters and of sailors”?
9. What is the tinker’s annual route, and how long does it take?
10. At first, Elisa is annoyed by and resistant to the tinker’s sales pitch. What does the tinker do to change her attitude?
11. Why does Elisa give the tinker a pot of chrysanthemum shoots?
12. Do you believe the tinker’s story about the other woman’s garden? Why or why not?
13. What effect does Elisa and the tinker’s discussion of flowers have on Elisa? Describe it.
14. Describe her reaction to the tinker’s visit as she prepares for her evening out.
15. Comment on the kind of communication that exists between Henry and Elisa based on his comments on her appearance. What is the dark speck in the road, and how does it get there?
16. What does Elisa realize when she sees the dark speck?
17. Elisa asks to have wine at dinner and suggest she might be willing to go to the fights. Why does she do this?
18. Is Elisa aware of the importance of her need to communicate with her husband? If so, how does the reader know?
C. Write true or false for each of the following statements about the story.
1. Henry sells the three men and oil well.
2. Elisa is a woman who enjoys caring for her flowers.
3. The tinker repairs two old aluminum saucepans for Elisa.
4. In appreciation she invites him in for a cup of specially brewed coffee.
5. Elisa asks Henry if they could have wine for dinner, and she asks him questions about the prize fights.
D. Briefly answer the following questions.
1. Who is Elisa Allen?
2. What do she and her husband compliment each other on?
3. What will they be celebrating that evening?
4. How will they celebrate?
5. On what does Elisa focus her energy?
6. What does the stranger offer to Elisa?
7. Describe the stranger.
8. What does the stranger do to finally get work from Elisa?
9. What does Elisa give to the stranger and why?
10. What feelings does Elisa experience after the stranger leaves?
11. What does Elisa notice on the road as she and her husband drive to town?
12. Why is Elisa “crying weakly—like an old woman” at the end of the story?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS
1. In the beginning of the story how is Elisa Allen characterized? How is her close connection with nature established? Describe her husband. What details suggest there is something lacking in their relationship?
2. The arrival of the repairman reveals another side of Elisa. How do her actions and remarks differ from those with her husband earlier?
3. How is Elisa affected by the repairmen’s visit? What does he represent to her? What emotions has his visit aroused in her?
4. After seeing the discarded plant shoots, Elisa realizes the repairman has exploited her dreams. Why does she ask detailed questions about the fights in which she had earlier shown no interest?
BY JOHN STEINBECK
JOHN STEINBECK
BORN 1902—DIED 1968
HIS BEST KNOWN NOVEL IS THE GRAPES OF WRATH
THE CENTRAL THEME OF HIS WRITINGS IS THE QUIET DIGNITY HE SAW IN THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED
HIS CHARACTERS ARE TRAPPED IN AN UNFAIR WORLD.
THEMES AND MEANINGS
THE SETTING OF THIS STORY IS SALINAS, CA.
THE CHARACTERS ARE HAPPY TO BE MAKING A DECENT LIVING BUT THEY SENSE THERE MAY BE SOMETHING MORE TO LIFE.
ELISA HAS THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF A WOMAN’S PLACE. SHE DISPLAYS NO PARTICULAR STRENGTH, BUT WE LEARN THAT SHE IS A SENSITIVE, LOVELY WOMAN.
STEINBECK’S QUESTION TO US IN THIS STORY IS…SHOULD A PERSON SETTLE FOR SECURITY AND A LACK OF PAIN OR SHOULD HE OR SHE RISK HIS OR HER DREAMS IN AN ATTEMPT TO LIVE MORE COMPLETELY AND INTENSELY.
THE STORY SUGGESTS THAT THE RISKS ARE HIGH.
ELISA ALLEN IS GRATEFUL FOR HER HUSBAND’S KINDNESS AND PROVISIONS OF SECURITY BUT THE STRANGER BRINGS THOUGHTS OF A LIFE SHE HAS SENSED SHE WAS MISSING.
THE PARADOX IS THAT THE STRANGER HAS MANIPULATED HER EMOTIONS TO FULFIL HIS OWN NEEDS—OF MONEY—HE HAS NO CONCERN FOR HER.
STYLE AND TECHNIQUE
ELISA’S SELF WORTH IS TIED TO THE LAND
THE SETTING IS CONNECTED TO ELISA’S PSYCHIC STATE
ELISA IS EARTH BOUND—ROOTED TO HER GARDEN BUT ALSO HELD DOWN BY IT.
THE STRANGER IN CONTRAST IS NOT BOUND BY ANYTHING—HE HAS A FREEDOM TO ROAM
CONTRAST FROM ELISA AND HER GARDON TO THE WORLD BEYOND.
• John Steinbeck wrote novels, short stories, dramas and essays
• He is best known for realistic and vivid portrayals of hardships of the great Depression in THE GRAPES OF WRATH
• His chief subject is the process of life.
• All our human intentions are betrayed by our animal natures
• Steinbeck sees himself as a realist in the depression era.
• Henry Allen is the husband who is a hard working cattle farmer
• Elise Allen is his wife who is a strong woman and does not seem to receive recognition from her husband in a romantic way.
• The frustration deepens because she is childless and feels the need to mother.
• Her outlet is her flower garden.
• The chrysanthemums are a symbol which represent her tender, inner self.
• They may symbolize her children--she loves and care for them and protects her flowers.
• Elisa becomes interested in the “junk man” because he shows interest in her chrysanthemums ( in order to persuade her to find something for her to fix)
• With the strangers comments about the chrysanthemums, she feels appreciated and attracted to him.
• In their exchange she gives the man a potted chrysanthemum—which is a part of herself.
• She now has confidence in her womanhood and she transforms from a gardener to a model.
• The stranger’s interest in her chrysanthemums gives her confidence to grow and blossom.
• The last critical scene—Elisa sees her precious chrysanthemums on the ground minus the pot they were in.
• She was fooled into giving a part of herself to a stranger only to find that part of her is discarded.
• As she begins to cry she reverts back to her old self—losing her self confidence.
ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS
1. Explain the contribution of Steinbeck’s description to the story’s themes and ideas. How, where and why does he use description?
2. Articulate Steinbeck’s treatment of the chrysanthemums as a symbol.
3. Discuss Elisa in relation to constructions to womanhood. How does this story depict` women and why does Elisa cry at the end of the story?
HOMEWORK: DUE THE DAY AFTER WE COMPLETE THE STORY.
THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS by John Steinbeck
A. Write a sentence for each of the following words. Sentences must reflect the story.
1. foothills
2. shaggy
3. burro
4. aphids
5. terrier
B. Briefly answer the following questions.
1. Describe the setting. Why was it a time of “quiet and waiting.”?
2. What is Elisa Allen doing at the beginning of the story? Be specific.
3. What statement does Henry make about Elisa’s talent for gardening, and how does he wish she might use her talents?
4. What business deal has Henry just made?
5. How does he plan to celebrate?
6. How does Henry joke with Elisa? What is her response?
7. Who arrives, and what is his mission?
8. What does the author suggest when he says that the man’s eyes are full of “the brooding that gets in the eyes of teamsters and of sailors”?
9. What is the tinker’s annual route, and how long does it take?
10. At first, Elisa is annoyed by and resistant to the tinker’s sales pitch. What does the tinker do to change her attitude?
11. Why does Elisa give the tinker a pot of chrysanthemum shoots?
12. Do you believe the tinker’s story about the other woman’s garden? Why or why not?
13. What effect does Elisa and the tinker’s discussion of flowers have on Elisa? Describe it.
14. Describe her reaction to the tinker’s visit as she prepares for her evening out.
15. Comment on the kind of communication that exists between Henry and Elisa based on his comments on her appearance. What is the dark speck in the road, and how does it get there?
16. What does Elisa realize when she sees the dark speck?
17. Elisa asks to have wine at dinner and suggest she might be willing to go to the fights. Why does she do this?
18. Is Elisa aware of the importance of her need to communicate with her husband? If so, how does the reader know?
C. Write true or false for each of the following statements about the story.
1. Henry sells the three men and oil well.
2. Elisa is a woman who enjoys caring for her flowers.
3. The tinker repairs two old aluminum saucepans for Elisa.
4. In appreciation she invites him in for a cup of specially brewed coffee.
5. Elisa asks Henry if they could have wine for dinner, and she asks him questions about the prize fights.
D. Briefly answer the following questions.
1. Who is Elisa Allen?
2. What do she and her husband compliment each other on?
3. What will they be celebrating that evening?
4. How will they celebrate?
5. On what does Elisa focus her energy?
6. What does the stranger offer to Elisa?
7. Describe the stranger.
8. What does the stranger do to finally get work from Elisa?
9. What does Elisa give to the stranger and why?
10. What feelings does Elisa experience after the stranger leaves?
11. What does Elisa notice on the road as she and her husband drive to town?
12. Why is Elisa “crying weakly—like an old woman” at the end of the story?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS
1. In the beginning of the story how is Elisa Allen characterized? How is her close connection with nature established? Describe her husband. What details suggest there is something lacking in their relationship?
2. The arrival of the repairman reveals another side of Elisa. How do her actions and remarks differ from those with her husband earlier?
3. How is Elisa affected by the repairmen’s visit? What does he represent to her? What emotions has his visit aroused in her?
4. After seeing the discarded plant shoots, Elisa realizes the repairman has exploited her dreams. Why does she ask detailed questions about the fights in which she had earlier shown no interest?
# posted by Sister Pat / English @ 6:04 AM 
