Patriarchy in Steinbecks Chrysanthemums - Essay Example

Patriarchy in Steinbeck’s “Chrysanthemums” How does Steinbeck use symbolism to show Patriarchy in ‘chrysanthemums’? Introduction John Steinbeck wrote ‘the Chrysanthemums’ to criticize the society which continues to discriminate against women. In the book, Steinbeck presents Elisa as a character who is smart, energetic, attractive, and ambitious. However, Elisa’s character traits have no meaning in the society because she is a woman. Steinbeck also creates two male characters that are not as interesting as Elisa but live a fulfilling and busy life. Steinbeck presents Henry as less intelligent as Elisa, but manages to run the ranch, provide for the family, and design business deals. Steinbeck uses Henry and the stranger to symbolize patriarchal societies that ignore the potential of women. The paper discusses symbols and how Steinbeck uses these symbols to show patriarchy in the society. Steinbeck uses the thick fog as a symbol of challenges affecting Elisa and Henry (husband/wife). The thick fog has been used by Steinbeck, to show the nature of patriarchy in the society. Patriarchy is as thick as a fog and cannot allow the growth of women in the society. Patriarchy is like a thick and grey fog which consumes the whole land in a similar manner as the male consumes the female in a male dominated society. According to Palmerino (p. 164), Steinbeck also uses rain as a symbol of women in a patriarchal society. Elisa, symbolized by the rain, is passive and has no ability to confront the fog. In a patriarchal society, women are passive and lack the ability to confront men. In addition, women submit to men who have no appreciation to the interest and beauty of women. The thick fog, therefore, symbolizes a society where men do not value the contribution of women. Patriarchy is reflected in the actions of the mysterious man (stranger). When the stranger begins to talk about his lifestyle, patriarchy becomes evident in his thought patterns. In particular, the stranger talks about living a life on the road and sleeping in a wagon. However, the stranger asserts that such a life cannot be lived by women such as Elisa. According to Elisa, it is gratifying to live such a life. The stranger believes that women cannot live on the road and sleep in a wagon. In essence, a woman belongs to the home and should not live lifestyles of men in the society. Domestic duties are ideal duties for women in the society. Elisa decides to ask the stranger how he knows that a woman’s place belongs to the home. Elisa assert that a woman live similar lifestyles as men. As a result, Elisa is ready to show the stranger what a woman can do (Steinbeck, p.445). The stranger asserts that his lifestyle is not good for women. In the conversation between the stranger and Elisa, it is evident that women are not happy about their position in a patriarchal society. Tomberger (p 23) writes that Elisa longs for a life that is not dominated by male patriarchy. According to Steinbeck, Elisa is a strong woman; however, the society determines the duties and responsibilities that Elisa must perform to be a woman. In the book ‘chrysanthemums’ Steinbeck also defines femininity as a ‘weak’ character. In a patriarchal society, the difference between men and women depends on two factors: strong or weak. The role of men and women also differentiate gender in a patriarchal society. In the book, the flower has been used by Steinbeck, to present the though patterns of Elisa. In a patriarchal society, Elisa is a woman who has a passion in nourishing her sexuality. In addition, Elisa enjoys her resentment towards men. Henry, Elisa’s husband is concerned with the cattle in the ranch than the needs of his wife. Steinbeck informs the reader that, in a patriarchal society, men have no time and any kind of affection to their wives. In the marriage between Elisa and Henry, male domination and thoughts contribute to conflicts in their marriage. In the book ‘Chrysanthemums’ Steinbeck describes Elisa as a woman with “a lean and strong face”. Steinbeck says that: “Elisa’s figure looked blocked and heavy when she wore the gardening costume” (Steinbeck, p.422). Steinbeck, therefore, informs the reader that, in a patriarchal society, neglect form husbands force women to grow and nourish their repressed sexuality, anger, and resentment towards men. Elisa values her attempts of growing and nourishing her chrysanthemums (sexuality, anger, and resentment) towards men. According to Henry, Elisa should use her strength and resent to manage activities in the orchard, to grow apples (Steinbeck, p.423). Steinbeck informs the reader, through Henry’s remarks that this is a society that values patriarchy. Steinbeck presents Henry as a character that has less concern towards Elisa’s chrysanthemums. Neglect form the husband prompts Elisa to look for ways in which she can satisfy her unfulfilled sexual desires. Elisa decides to allocate more time in nurturing and growing her own chrysanthemums. Elisa, therefore, can be viewed as a woman who values beauty. Steinbeck presents chrysanthemums as an extension of Elisa in a society where women are not valued. Steinbeck describes the gardening areas as a ‘cage’ which protects women from harmful objects. The ‘cage’ is a symbol of patriarchy because Men such as Henry have no interest in the gardening areas of women. Steinbeck also narrates how Henry travels with one of the cattle buyers. While Henry is away, a mysterious man approaches Elisa. As a result, Elisa develops sexual desires and interests towards the stranger despite an unpleasant appearance. According to Watson and Stacey (p 5), Elisa developed sexual feelings towards the stranger because he has shown interests in her chrysanthemums (sexuality, anger, and resentment). The stranger’s aim is to persuade Elisa to find something that can be fixed. The stranger is interested in Elisa’s flower. The stranger asserts that Elisa looks like a long-stemmed flower (Steinbeck, p. 450). The stranger’s comments make Elisa feel appreciated by the stranger than the husband who has never appreciated her chrysanthemums (feelings and interest). The stranger’s comments on Elisa’s flower make her remove pots so that man can fix them. In the process of fixing pots, Elisa accords attention to the stranger. When the mysterious man decides to leave, Elisa becomes full of confidence in her womanhood because of positive remarks from the stranger. Tomberger (p, 24) writes that high levels of confidence in women cannot be achieved in patriarchal societies where men do not value interests of women. After the stranger has complemented Elisa’s chrysanthemums, she decides to perform a complete makeover. In a male dominated society, women do not receive compliment form men, showing their appreciation towards beauty and interest of women. Steinbeck informs the reader that after the stranger had left, Elisa dressed by putting on her newest underclothing and nicest stockings (Steinbeck, p. 446). Elisa becomes a model and rejects being described as a gardener in a patriarchal society. As a result, Elisa becomes confident in growing and blossoming like a flower. In a male dominated society where women are not appreciates, women cannot grow and blossom like a flower since men show little interest on their beauty and interest. Conclusion Henry and the stranger symbolize patriarchy in the society. In particular, Henry and the stranger ignore women’s potential of performing any duty and living a similar lifestyle as men. In a patriarchal society, men like Henry do not value women’s interests and beauty. In such societies, women feel that their sexual desires and needs are neglected by men. The stranger views Elisa as a woman who cannot live a lifestyle of living on the road and sleeping in a wagon. Steinbeck informs the reader that there is a need to respect women’s interest so that the society achieves a desired social development in the life of women. Works Cited Palmerino, Gregory. Steinbeck's the Chrysanthemums. The Explicator, 2004, Volume 62, Issue 3, pp. 164 – 167. Steinbeck, John. The Chrysanthemums. The seagull reader stories. New York. Norton & Company press. 2008. 407-4048. Susan Watson and Stacey Carter. The Chrysanthemums: A pruning. 2003. Accessed on 11/28/13, from: http://www.westga.edu/~scarter/sample_student_fiction_essay_susan.htm Tomberger Fend. Feminist, Phenomenological and psychoanalytic approaches to ‘the chrysanthemums’ by John Ernst Steinbeck. New York. Grin Verlag. 2013. Read More