Assignment #10
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The play "Oedipus the King" is an interesting story in which the themes are
not always easy to understand, but for sure very facinating. In this story
some...
13 years ago
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Blog #2 Assignment
In your own blog, post your thoughts on John Steinbeck's use of symbolism in 'The Chrysanthemums." How does the writer use particular symbols and symbolic actions to communicate to the readers the desires and thoughts of the characters, as well as other unspoken truths about the characters in the story? You should title your response "Assignment #2--Symbolism in Steinbeck." Post your reply by the deadine (3/25) and then reply to a couple of your classmates' posts on this assignment by 4/6. Per the syllabus, Blog entries will be 250 words or more. Responses have no word limit but should be more substantial than "I agree." Remember that you can respond to as many as you want but you only get credit for the first two. Also, once a blog entry has four responses, your response to it will no longer count for credit. Full credit will be given only to those who adhere to the posting and the reply deadlines.
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"Assignment #2--Symbolism in Steinbeck."
ReplyDeleteJohn Steinbeck's literature can be recognized by the symbolism he uses to identify his characters and their views. He starts off by describing the setting, Salinas Valley, as a closed pot. He then describes Elisa's physical emotions and attire. He describes her face as "lean and strong and her eyes were as clear as water." Elisa spends most of her time flowering her garden, taking care of her chrysanthemums. It's as if her garden is her life due to the fact that her husband ignores her. He doesn't pay as much attention to her as she would want. A stranger approaches her, thus leading her to take her gloves off to greet him. I think this symbolizes her interest in meeting new people. Her husband compliments her gardening skills, but urges her to grow something else. Although they seem distant, they make plans for dinner. I find it interesting at the end of the story, when Elisa questions her husband about the fights. She asks if any women ever go to the fights. I think she says this because she, herself, is a strong woman, willing to put up with the fights. She wants to prove to her husband that she is strong. The last sentence reads "She turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly - like an old woman." Although she is a strong woman, she also feels sorrow for the way her life is, miserable, living it with a man who doesn't feel anything towards her.
"Assignment #2--Symbolism in Steinbeck."
ReplyDeleteThe writer, John Steinbeck, use particular symbols and symbolic actions to communicate to the readers the desires and thoughts of the characters. Elisa, a female character in the novel, spends most of her time growing plants, mostly Chrysanthemums. The Chrysanthemums represents her pride. Her husband in the beginning compliments her on her planting, and she feels very proud. Later a random man approaches her. He was broad, and very masculine. This shows that Elisa was communicating with a stronger figure. He then compliments her Chrysanthemums. When the man said "they smell kind of nasty till you get used to them", she got offended. "After a while she began to dress, slowly, She put on her newest underclothing and her nicest stockings and the dress which was the symbol of her prettiness. She worked carefully her her hair, penciled her eyebrows and roughed her lips." Elisa had to look strong on the outside, because she felt weak in the inside. When her husband complimented her, she didn't know how to respond. She responded with nervousness and uncertainty. She also asked her husband about the fights, and if women ever fought in them. This shows that Elisa felt like she never fought for her rights, because she was a woman and wasn't sure if women ever go to these "fights".