The Chrysanthemums

Elisa Allen is a feminist's nightmare. Elisa harbors the potential to accomplish great things but is limited to the confines of her garden. She has a proven skill for raising chrysanthemums. This ability demonstrates her competence in creation and also her tender, nurturing side. Elisa is not given the opportunity to create anything material except for what is included in the duties allocated to a housewife. Consequently, Elisa must busy herself cooking, cleaning, and engaging in other trivial activities. She is left in the home while her husband I out in the fields doing what is supposedly the important work. When Henry brings home the good news that he successfully sold the cattle, Elisa is expected to join him in celebration. Elisa's presence is necessary only to affirm Henry's success; not to share in it. Elisa is comfortable with her arrangement at home until she is confronted with the opportunity to make a difference to someone else. She becomes excited as she offers detailed instructions for raising the flowers. Eventually, Elisa and Henry travel into town for their dinner and she observes the wilting flowers on the side of the road. The reader realizes, as does Elisa, that the repairman was interested only in the flower pot. This unfortunate realization symbolizes Elisa's insignificance in the world and the subservience to the men running it.

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