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soupformyfamily's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
flowerhatprincess's review against another edition
4.0
I felt equally heartbroken when I read that the flowers were thrown away too.
blue_eyes_white_privilege's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shelby_mae13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carolinadlc's review against another edition
No entendí por completo, sorry I'm dumb
alishaabrahamsreads's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the subversion of what the chrysanthemums meant in this story. Usually flowers symbolize femininity, gentleness, and innocence—but in this story we see how the chrysanthemums have a “bitter” or even “nasty” smell, pushing the idea of them further, perhaps as a way to represent Elisa herself. Elisa starts with a happy and strong countenance, but after the tinker comes along, she seems to be unsatisfied with her life. The sexual undertone of the flower planting ritual as well as her dissatisfaction with being an “old woman” and not being able to travel, watch fights, etc. like men do, seem to amalgamate into a story of a womens limits in this society. Elisa cannot be spontaneous like the tinker and even has to ask her husband if they can drink wine, both showing her lack of agency and control over her own desires. Elisa must be fine with the life she has, because she cannot have anything more.
melk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Really enjoyed this beautiful short story by John Steinbeck. As I'm currently also reading East of Eden for the first time and really absolutely loving it, I was also encouraged to read The Chrysanthemums. I found it also so thought-provoking, while being short.
Steinbeck's writing gets the reader into such a flow. His characters are so human, so real, and there is so much left to ponder in every sentence.
This short story follows Elisa Allen, a woman with much passion for gardening and taking a lot of pride in her work. She struggles with her own strength and her desire to share her passions, within a world that doesn't seem fit for her.
Steinbeck's writing gets the reader into such a flow. His characters are so human, so real, and there is so much left to ponder in every sentence.
This short story follows Elisa Allen, a woman with much passion for gardening and taking a lot of pride in her work. She struggles with her own strength and her desire to share her passions, within a world that doesn't seem fit for her.
hanna_konneback's review
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5