Essay on Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck

Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck A symbol is an act, person, thing, or spectacle that stands for something else, by association a usually broader idea in addition to its own literal meaning (Cassill Bausch, 1728). John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums may seem as a story describing a simple day with the Allen couple. It begins with Elisa Allen working in her garden and her husband, Henry Allen, negotiating with two suited business men that want to purchase steers. They seem to engage in conversations and go about their day as they normally would do. By the time the story ends, they are on their way to dinner and a movie. At first glance, this story may seem as nothing special, just a day in the life of fairly†¦show more content†¦This description of the Salina Valley is closely related to her character. Elisas isolation and constraint is represented by the description of the valley. Elisa feels cut off from the rest of the world; she has no independence, and lives in a male dominated society. The vall ey being described as a, closed pot can also be considered a metaphor for Elisas existence, she knows how the rest of her life is going to be, and she is not happy knowing that she is so limited in choices. Elisa lives in a masculine world with countless qualities hidden under her mans hat, clodhopper shoes, and a big corduroy apron she wears to garden. One of the reasons that Elisa may feel more restricted is because of the fact that she does not have any children to distract her, therefore spends the majority of the time contemplating about her life. This gives a slight indication that they might not be able to have children. During the period of time that this story was written, it was very unlikely for a married woman, especially at the age of thirty-five, not to have children. The fact that Elisa is childless makes it even more evident that she seems to need more fulfillments in her life. The importance of Elisas gardening abilities is that she wishes to take care of someone, and since she has no one other that Henry, which does not seem much of help for her, she transfers these maternal instincts onto her flowers. As one can see already, the Chrysanthemums that ElisaShow Mor eRelatedSymbolism in the Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck1758 Words   |  8 PagesJohn Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums is a story that is full of symbolism. After the first read, it might seem like an innocent tale about a woman and her garden. However, upon further examination, the reader learns it is actually a story about a womans desires and frustrations in her life. Steinbeck uses many examples, such as the flowers to symbolize the thoughts and ideas of the main character, Elisa, in this story. Elisa Allen is a lonesome woman who gets pleasure from growingRead MoreSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck Essay1547 Words   |  7 PagesSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck The Chrysanthemums, one of John Steinbecks masterpieces, describes a lonely farmers wife, Elisa Allen. Elisa Allens physical appearance is very mannish yet still allows a hint of a feminine side to peek through. John Steinbeck brings symbolism into play to represent Elisa Allens frustrations and hidden passions. Isolation is another representation through symbolism found in The Chrysanthemums. Elisas failing detached marriage is representedRead MoreEssay about Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck700 Words   |  3 PagesSymbolism in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck At first glance John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums seems to be a story of a woman whose niche is in the garden. Upon deeper inspection, the story reveals strong symbolisms of children, vulnerability, and connection--being the most important, of the main character. Elisa Allen is the main character who is at her strongest and most proud in the garden and weakened when she becomes vulnerable and loses her connection to the outer worldRead MoreComparing John Steinbeck s Mice And Men And The Grapes Of Wrath1126 Words   |  5 PagesComparing and Contrasting Steinbeck John Steinbeck is a famous author known for many of his short stories, as well as the books Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. His works have been studied and analyzed often because of his unique ability to create symbolism from small amounts of text. â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† is a short story written by John Steinbeck, and was first published in 1939. It tells the story of a woman who feels she is capable of completing any task a man can, but is set back byRead More The Chrysanthemums Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s, The Chrysanthemums, was published in 1938 in a book of short stories, entitled The Long Valley. The Chrysanthemums has been a rather powerful draw for scholars because of its wide gap for interpretations and analysis of its main protagonist character, Elisa Allen and also the unique descriptions used to portray the deeper meaning behind the setting of the story. Themes of sexuality, oppression of women, as well as other numerous typ es of conflict portrayed in this rather somberRead MoreThe Chrysanthemums By John Steinbeck982 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Chrysanthemums† is a short story written by John Steinbeck. The story was originally published in 1937 before later being released as a part of his The Long Valley collection. This is an important story as it expresses women in a way that is more realistic, showing their true boredom, ambition, and capabilities. Some scholars interpreted this story differently, but C. Kenneth Pellow interprets it as â€Å"radically feministic.† The Great Depression was finally ending and women’s rights were risingRead MoreThe Chrysanthemums973 Words   |  4 Pages Prompt: How do the chrysanthemums as well as other symbols throughout the short story show women’s role in society? A Potential for Equality   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Humans, just as flowers, cannot fully live without sunlight. They cannot develop without nourishment, and most of all they cannot flourish if not carefully tended to. Just as the Chrysanthemums fight to stay strong and meaningful in the short story, â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† by John Steinbeck, the main character, Emily, tries to do the same. BothRead MoreAlice Munros Boys and Girls and John Steinbecks The Chrysanthemums1455 Words   |  6 Pagesand taking care of the children. While this stereotype does not exist as much in the 21st century, it was very prevalent in the 1900s. By using many different literary tools such as character development, symbolism, and setting, Alice Munro’s Boys and Girls and John Steinbeck’s The Chrysanthemums challenge this controversial topic of the treatment of women versus men in the 1900s. Munro uses a fox farm for the setting of Boys and Girls to bring out many of the social issues between genders. WhileRead MoreThe Chrysanthemums Symbolism Analysis1040 Words   |  5 PagesMale Dominance Revealed Through Symbolism in The Chrysanthemums In Steinbeck’s â€Å"The Chrysanthemum† a story is told of a woman who loves to garden and tend to her beautiful chrysanthemums, a husband who tends to the matters of business on the ranch, and the strange encounter with a tinkerer. Each of these aspects create the story, but there is more depth than what meets the eye. Through Steinbeck’s short story one can recognize many symbols that represent the different gender roles of men andRead MoreLiterary Analysis the Chrysanthemums1128 Words   |  5 PagesProfessor Course Date: Chrysanthemums: Literary Criticism At the turn of the 20th century, women were considered inferior to men: they were only required to stay at home, take care of households and children. â€Å"The Chrysanthemums†, as told by John Steinbeck, is a story of a woman during that period who tries to change the course of her destiny. In this story, the two-fold issues of femininity and symbolism play a critical part in explaining this helplessness. Steinbeck uses the narrative to signify

Hills like white elephant - 5316 Words

Hills Like White Elephants: The Jilting of Jig Hashmi, Nilofer. The Hemingway Review, Volume 23, Number 1, Fall 2003, pp. 72-83 (Article) Published by University of Idaho Department of English DOI: 10.1353/hem.2004.0009 For additional information about this article http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hem/summary/v023/23.1hashmi.html Access Provided by Chulalongkorn University at 11/21/11 7:26AM GMT â€Å"hills like white elephants†: T h e j i lt i n g of j i g nilofer hashmi Georgia Southern University critics grappling with Ernest Hemingway’s hauntingly enigmatic â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† have failed to reach a consensus about the ending of the story.1 Almost all agree, however, that regardless of what actually†¦show more content†¦A third interpretation of the outcome, having the acceptance of many readers, is that the girl accedes to the man’s demands and both proceed to Madrid where the girl will have the abortion in order to stay on with the man. This interpretation is supported by Joseph DeFalco who refers to the girl’s â€Å"capitulation† (172), and also by Timothy O’Brien. The latter observes that by means of its ending (Jig’s agreeing to the abortion), â€Å"the story functions not only as a powerful critique of man’s sexual politics, but also as a complex portrayal of woman’s, not just Jig’s, ï ¬ nal compliance† (24). While Jig’s yielding to the man’s wishes is a highly plausible scenario in the light of the conversation and innuendos found in the narrative, a signiï ¬ cant question arises relating to what will follow if Jig undergoes the abortion in hopes of retaining the existing partnership. The question is: will the man choose to stay on with her afterwards? Or is he more likely to abandon her after the abortion has been performed? Strong reasons can be found to support the latter eventuality. While Jig may or may not have any option other than to continue to be the man’s companion, is he under any compulsion to be with her if he no longer wants her? The apparent answer to this question leads to the possibility of a fourth outcome to the story: the girl will, of necessity or of choice, accede to the man’s wishes, butShow MoreRelatedHills Like White Elephants By Ernest Hemingway859 Words   |  4 PagesHills Like White Elephants, short story by Ernest Hemingway, p ublished in 1927 in the periodical transition and later that year in the collection Men Without Women. The themes of this sparsely written vignette about an American couple waiting for a train in Spain are almost entirely implicit. The story is largely devoid of plot and is notable for its use of irony, symbolism, and repetition. (Encyclopedia Britannica). The Short Story brings the read into a discussion, between a man and a girl. TheyRead MoreHills Like White Elephants1354 Words   |  5 PagesSymbolism in â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† Ernest Hemingway’s â€Å"The Hills Like White Elephants† is a short story published in 1927 about an American man and a woman named Jig. The setting of this story takes place at a train station located in Spain surrounded by hills, trees, and fields. Other devices used by Hemingway throughout this story include imagery, simile, excellent syntax, and a very tense and emotional tone. In the beginning of the story, the American and Jig sit outside of the trainRead MoreHills Like White Elephants911 Words   |  4 Pages Every day people make decisions that affect their future lives. What makes a right decision? What may be right to some may be wrong to others. Right and wrong decisions are objective and vary among each individual. â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants,† by Ernest Hemingway, portrays the idea of decision making between two characters in a valley in Spain as they wait for a train to arrive. Jig, the protagonist, attempts to make a crucial change in her life by making the right decision, although her flawsRead MoreHills Like White Elephants996 Words   |  4 PagesErnest Hemingway’s short story â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† discusses the decision one girl must make and the consequences which accompany her choice. A â€Å"white elephant† is a valuable possession which its owner cannot dispose of but whose cost (particularly cost of upkeep) exceeds its usefulness. The â€Å"white elephant† in Hemingway’s story is the unnamed situation and the choice which Jig, the protagonist, must make. This drama takes place in Spain in the 1920’s, during which time the majority ofRead MoreThe Hills Like White Elephants1143 Words   |  5 PagesAfter reading â€Å"The Hills like White Elephants,† I discovered that there are a lot of interpretations that could be made to accompany this story. The story takes place at a bar across from a Spanish railroad crossing. The story states that there is no shade or trees, and that the hills are white. The story does not provide a plethora of information on the characters, it rather just jumps right into the story, leaving a lot to the imagination on how they got there. I do believe that this is done onRead MoreHills Like White Elephants1015 Words   |  5 PagesHills Like White Elephants, written by Ernest Hemingway, is a story that takes place in Spain while a man and woman wait for a train. The story is set up as a dialogue between the two, in which the man is trying to convince the woman to do something she is hesitant in doing. Through out the story, Hemingway uses metaphors to express the characters opinions and feelings. Hills Like White Elephants displays the differences in the way a man and a woman view pregnancy and abortion. The woman looksRead MoreHills Like White Elephants838 Words   |  4 PagesHills Like White Elephants Ernest Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants presents a fictional example of the modern day prevalence of miscommunication among others, namely men and women. Depicted through the couple and the present issue at hand, Hemingway strives to allude to the unfortunate truth that despite constant speaking among beings, genuine communication continues to fall short and is nearly nonexistent. Existing is the lack of productivity when the true feelings of both parties are notRead MoreHills Like White Elephants1715 Words   |  7 PagesHills Like White Elephants shows a seemingly simple discussion between Jig and an American man about the possibility of an operation. Yet, when the story is dissected it becomes apparent that they are discussing the possibility of an abortion. Nothing in the short story is mentioned or said without signaling a greater or different meaning. Hemingway used the surroundings of the train station to impact the story and designed the characters to properly show two varying personalities. Even though thisRead MoreHills Like White Elephants1266 Words   |  6 Pagesanalysis, I shall attempt to examine some aspects of the core issue of abortion through a short story, and observe the climax, tension, and heart felt emotions people endure because of their differently held cultural views. The short story â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† was written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927. He brought the characters to life with his vivid imagery and strong dialogue. The short story is about a young couple in the country of Spain, awaiting the arrival of a commuter train outside a restaurantRead MoreHills Like White Elephants Lessons968 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway is a short story every student studying English Composition should read. The narrative explores the difficult topic of abortion which college students should read about. Not only did the story explore the couples dynamic it also d elved into the feelings each partner had about the pregnancy. In â€Å"On Reading Fiction†, the author explains that readers enjoy fiction for three reasons, because it is an escape from reality, a possible answer to problems

Gattaca the movie and discrimi Essay Example For Students

Gattaca the movie and discrimi Essay In the movie Gattaca the main character Anton was discriminated against because of his gene makeup. Anton never even had a chance in the society in Gattaca because the potential employees of companies were not tested on their skills or knowledge but on their physical and mental possibilities. The same society also used derogatory terms for people like Anton. Just because his parents decided that he would come into the world naturally instead of through gene therapy or alteration. Terms like faith birth and invalid were used against Anton. I think gene therapy has it promises, but when used in the fashion as it was used in the Gattaca I think its progress should be carefully monitored. Right now sheep and other animals are being cloned. Soon primates and Humans could be cloned. I think we should further investigate human cloning for research on the parenting process and other physiological experiments that can only be used now on identical twins separated at birth. These experiments when used could be used to gain insight on what our genes determine in our personalities. I also think that the achievement of us humans cloning ourselves would be a great achievement for the entire human race such as it was when we landed on the moon in 1969. In the movie Gattaca they barely showed the moral consequences of the actions. Antons father showed more pride in his brother than Anton, but what about Anton making friends, was he doomed to be a social outcast in friendships also? The second rate swimmer so depressed by being second in a race almost committed suicide, what about him? The movie never revealed how poor nations around the world dealt with eventually becoming a nation of an inferior human race. The movie pretty much shows how Hitlers plan of creating a perfect human race would be like. The movie does show some positives though. A longer lifetime full of health was promised to all planned pregnancies. Diseases were also virtually eliminated and gene problems where also stopped. The crime solving potential of having every ones gene son file were also showed. Such technology could be used however with out cloning or genetic altering. Weighing all these positives and negatives though is not a choice for me or anyone else, but a choice for future generations to come when they have the technology and choice whether to decide if it is needed or right for their time. .

The systematic dehumanization of the Jews free essay sample

Have you ever wondered how it would be like to be treated like animals and make you do stuff you don’t want to do? Well, this is how prisoners in the holocaust where treated like. In the book â€Å"Night† by Elie Wiesel one of the main themes is dehumanization, or to deprive of positive human qualities. Three examples of dehumanization in the book are, first the tattoos on their left arms. Second, the barracks where they slept in 3. And third, the cattle cars with 80 people inside it and no water or food, and very little air. My first example of dehumanization is when the Nazis tattoo their left arms with numbers. This is showed in page 39 of the hard cover book, when they say, â€Å"The three â€Å"veterans† with needles in their hands, engraved a number on our left arms. I became A-TI113. After that I had no other name. † This shows dehumanization because instead of being called their names, they where called numbers, as if they where objects instead of humans. We will write a custom essay sample on The systematic dehumanization of the Jews or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The second example of dehumanization in the book is when they take their belongings. This is shown three times in the book. First, in page 21 of the hard cover book, when they state â€Å"Those of you who still have gold, silver, or watches in your possession must give them now. Anyone who is later found to have kept anything will be shot on the spot. † This shows dehumanization because their loved ones where separated from them, and the only thing they had to remember them was taken from them too, and everyone deserves to have something of their own, even if it’s a piece of metal. Second, â€Å"Later on the shoes where taken from me too. † Page 46 hc. This means that they had to run miles, and work all day with their feet uncovered, step on the small and big stones, in the winter their feet where frozen because of the snow, and on summer, step on the boiling floor. The next example is on page 32 of the hard cover. â€Å"We had to throw our clothes at one end of the barracks. There was already a great heap there.. For us this was the equality: nakedness, shivering with the cold. † Luckily they gave them cloth afterwards, but it is still very inhumanly for them to take their cloth from them, which they had paid money for, and also see others people’s personal body parts. Also they had to sleep two people per bunk and you could get diseases very easily, as shown in page 39 from the hardcover â€Å" ‘You can go to bed. Two people to a bunk. Good night. ’ The first human words. † Finally, The last example of dehumanization are when they had 80 people in a cattle car, all squished with the heat, and no water, food, light, and very little air for 3 days in a row. â€Å"After two days of traveling we began to be tortured by the thirst. Then the heat became unbearable. † P. 22 hc. In the same page, â€Å"The doors were closed, we where caught in a trap, right up to our necks. † Both this quotes remind me of goats and sheep when they are taken from one farm to another. All in top of each other, squished, nothing to eat, very little air, no light. Another proof of dehumanization is on the same page when an officer tells them â€Å"There are eighty of you in this wagon, if anyone is missing, you will all be shot, like dogs. † Not only did they separate them from their families, took their most treasured items, made them feel like dogs, but also they blamed them If something went wrong, or someone was missing. There was a lot of dehumanization in this book. But mostly, it was full of shocking, terrifying, evil, events that must never be allowed to repeat. At the end of everything the Nazis achieved what they wanted to happen, make the Jews feel like animals. But after all, the only people that remained as animals where the Nazis themselves. This is because NO human can be so ignorant to kill people because of their religion. NO human is born with no feelings, to take kids away from their parents, or watch kids suffer. No one can be able to watch kids and adults starving to death, without blaming themselves or be tramautizised. In conclusion, I think that the most animal-like people in the holocaust itself are the Nazis.