Comparing and Contrasting The Chrysanthemums and The Yellow Wallpaper - Essay Example

They both depict actions taken against women interests. The women in that case are compelled to act against their interests. The Chrysanthemums flowers as used in John Steinbeck's story, symbolize Elisa's soft, feminine and delicate nature. The Chrysanthemums is rough and strong on the outside but very beautiful and soft in the inside just as Elisa (Steinbeck 1). Hence, the Chrysanthemums flower that has a beautiful inside represents her contained feelings and desires. Her love and close attention to the flowers equally symbolize her soft nature and inner beauty that is visible after blossoming just like the Chrysanthemums flower.

Elisa dressing symbolizes the male dominated society. Elisa is dressed in a black man hat, leather gloves, and clodhopper as she does a feminine work (Steinbeck 1). In the same breath, the story leading to the idea by John to confine his wife in an upstairs room was a rebellion against a well –known woman physician. This shows disregard on women specialists (Gilman 1). The author refers to Elisa with male attributes like as a strong, handsome, and lean person (Steinbeck 1). This symbolizes her softness, kindness, hardworking nature and clearly shows the male domination.

Elisa’s husband ironically challenges her to grow apples a just as she grows Chrysanthemum (Steinbeck 1). Apples in this case represent the man dominance while the Chrysanthemum represents the feminism nature. The ironic challenge clearly manifests women discrimination and man dominance in the society. The fence protects Elisa’s garden from cattle and dogs. These animals in this context symbolize the hardships of the world. In the same way, John confines the woman in the yellow wallpaper story in an upstairs room in the name of getting rest from depression.

The confinement separates the woman from her child and other women against her will (Gilman 1). This shows oppression on women and domination by men. Although, Elisa tries to show off her power in the male-dominated society, nobody gives her a chance. When she dresses smartly and femininely for dinner, Elisa’s husband could not appreciate her feminine beauty and sexuality. In fact, her husband tells her that she looks strong enough to break a calf over your knee, happy enough to eat it like a watermelon (Steinbeck 1).

These statements do not represent appreciation to feminism. Indeed, when she gave the caravan man a pot with Chrysanthemum flower to take to another woman, the man throws the flowers on the road. This demonstrates the rejection on women to express their feelings. Additionally, when she tries to show her power through her gardening, her husband challenges her to grow apples. All this discrimination and lack of appreciation is so disheartening to her and indeed, she cries weakly on realizing it.

In the same way, John’s wife becomes obsessed with the yellow patterns, finally crawls on the floor due to frustrations, and even refuses to leave the restrained room (Gilman 1). Similarly, the author describes how she destroys unpleasant creatures like aphids in a ruthless manner. This is against the norm of loving and caring nature of women. Hence, it symbolizes lack of appreciation of feminism. In the same context John’s wife, imagine another women creeping out and around the patterns of the wallpaper (Gilman 1).

This symbolizes the dedication of women to show