Comparing The Chrysanthemums And The Turtle, By John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck short stories, The Chrysanthemums and The Turtle, (Chapter three - grapes of wrath) both clearly demonstrate the theme of isolation throughout the story. “The Chrysanthemums” tells of isolation that Elisa Allen, and on a larger scale, women in general, struggle through. This short story provides many indications of this with the use of the setting, and detailed descriptions of Elisa Allen. The inability to voice their own opinions causes Elisa to divulge in another means of expression, her chrysanthemums. In the Turtle, John Steinbeck shows that the little by little the turtle becomes desolated by everything that happens to it. He faces many obstacles that make him more and more isolated. John Steinbeck not only shows the effect

John s/tieback talks about The Salinas Valley which symbolizes Elisa’s emotional life. The story opens with a lengthy description of the valley, which Steinbeck likens to a pot topped with a lid made of fog.”The high gray-flannel fog of winter closed off the salinas Valley from the sky and from all the rest of world. On every side is sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot.” The metaphor of the valley as a “closed pot” suggests that Elisa is trapped inside an airless world and that her existence has reached a boiling point. We also learn that although there is sunshine nearby, no light penetrates the valley. Sunshine is often associated with happiness, and the implication is that while people near her are happy, Elisa is not. It is December, and the prevailing atmosphere in the valley is chilly and watchful but not yet devoid of hope. In the Turtle, by John Steinbeck Isolation is also apparent. The obstacles encountered by the turtle are unrelenting. He is tormented by a red ant which parallels the discomforts and hardships of the road, but he manages to eliminate it, crushing it against himself.”a red ant ran into the shell, into the soft skin inside the shell,and suddenly head and legs snapped in” He is interrupted by challenges constantly and ultimately becomes isolated from himself but still won't give