Naturalism and Feminism in John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums”

by Shawn Hassen

“The Chrysanthemums,” by John Steinbeck, is a profound story about men, women, miscommunication, and isolation. The best approach to helping students identify naturalism and feminism in "The Chrysanthemums" is to organize the discussion by theme.

Theme: Isolation

The theme of isolation is first introduced by the setting, a ranch in the Salinas Valley, closed off from the rest of the world in the still, cold of winter. Environment plays a huge role in any work with a naturalist bent. Accordingly, we are introduced to three characters who respond to this environment, but in varying ways. Henry Allen has plenty of work to do on his ranch, tending the apple orchard, buying and selling cattle, and presumably having to drive into town sometimes. His work is undoubtedly solitary, but it also brings him into contact with other men on occasion. The tinker is another male character who is seemingly comfortable with a solitary lifestyle. Even more so than Henry, the repairman comes into contact with many prospective clients along his path, so even though he and his dog travel alone, they routinely stumble upon human interaction. Both of these men seem relatively satisfied with their work and their occasional, but routine, interactions with people.

Such is not the case for Elisa. One of the first ways that Steinbeck creates sympathy for Elisa Allen is by emphasizing her extreme isolation. Even Henry comments (to her) that they spend too much time alone on the ranch, which is why he hopes to provide an enjoyable evening for her in town. Clearly, Elisa rarely makes it off the ranch or gets to see anyone besides her husband. Furthermore, Steinbeck implies that Elisa’s work of keeping house is mundane. It is important, and she puts extraordinary effort into the details of the home, but it is not fulfilling—which is why she curiously watches Henry dealing with the cattle buyers and wistfully imagines the tinker’s independent, daring life on the road.

Elisa is isolated physically on the ranch, she is isolated from having a satisfying or fulfilling life, and perhaps most significant of all, she is isolated because she is a woman in a man’s world. Steinbeck demonstrates the barriers between her and the male characters. She has sadly attempted to minimize her femininity in this man’s world, but her true nature reveals that she is a woman with passions and desires which neither man can understand. For all appearances and indications, Henry is a kind and dedicated husband. He even wants to treat Eliza to an enjoyable evening (ironically celebrating his own achievement). His intentions are good, but he cannot truly understand Eliza. He does not understand what her chrysanthemums mean to her, nor does he “read” her well when they communicate, always seeming to be befuddled by his wife’s “mood” or the things she is trying to express. The tinker seems slightly more adept at understanding Elisa, but in the end, he proves to have merely used her for potential profit instead of honoring her interests and passion. Steinbeck creates extraordinary sympathy for a woman who is unable to thrive in a man’s world of self-absorption and strained communications. 

Theme: Shattered Dream/Disillusionment

 The chrysanthemums symbolize Elisa’s dreams and passions, or possibly even children that she desires, since there is certainly a nurturing aspect to the way that she cares for the flowers and longs to share them with the outside world. Elisa brightens at the tinker’s interest in her flowers, and her demeanor changes from that of a skeptical, disinterested customer to a woman eager to share her passion with others beyond her lonely ranch walls. When she learns that the traveler’s interest was a ruse—a mere ploy to add pots to his collection of wares—Elisa succumbs to disillusionment, a victim of her environment and forces beyond her control, like many characters in naturalist works. Sick at heart, she withdraws from her husband and retreats into the shell she has created in order to merely survive (not thrive in) a dream-crushing man’s world.

The Story’s Correlations/Contrasts to Scripture

Students interested in the biblical parallels in this story will find several. Miscommunication between men and women began in the Garden of Eden. Steinbeck’s claim that women and men have some essential differences—that they might find satisfaction and fulfillment differently, and that they have difficulty communicating—should resonate with any reader. The primary difference between a biblical worldview and Steinbeck’s naturalist influences comes in the hopelessness of the story’s ending. Granted, this is one small window into “Henry’s and Elisa’s life,” but Steinbeck has determined to end the story with Elisa’s disillusionment. She retreats into herself, so the final implication is that her passions have not only been callously disregarded, but there is no hope for her happiness and fulfillment. Students should recognize that this is a natural human response—we have all felt like a dream was slipping out of reach, and one of the many ways we can respond is with hopelessness. But hopelessness is outside of God. In other words, it is unbiblical.

This story also offers a sobering reminder about the importance of men and women working together to communicate and understand one another (since Steinbeck so accurately points out that it is not natural or easy). The kind of relationship that brings life and love and that nurtures and inspires so both parties can thrive takes effort and dedication. This story is an excellent reminder that passion is real, dreams are real, and communication is necessary. But we cannot allow the story to imply that all is lost—that the barrier between men and women cannot ever be bridged. That is the definition of hopelessness—and the very opposite of the Godly hope and transformation that believers are called to strive for and share.