Criticism And Symbolism In The Chrysanthemums By John Steinbeck

What is a metaphor? A metaphor is a figure of speech where a comparison is made between two things based on similarity. Metaphors are widely used in literature today and are very important. They can create powerful and lasting images and ideas. Metaphors make the images described by the author more creative and interesting.

The Cask of Amontillado Argumentative Essay Edgar Allen Poe is a famous writer who is well-known for his short stories. The Cask of Amontillado is one of Poe’s short stories which is about two men, Montresor and Fortunato. Fortunato did something to Montresor, the act is unknown, but it angered Montresor badly enough to make him feel the need to seek revenge. The story portrays Montresor’s long, drawn out plan to kill Fortunato. In the story, it is clear that he was set on killing Fortunato, because of his actions and emotions shown toward Fortunato.

This could be interpreted as a reflection of the limited opportunities available to women during the time period in which the story is set, as well as the societal expectations placed upon them. Women during this era were expected to prioritize domestic tasks and raise children, while men were seen as the primary providers and decision-makers. By dressing in masculine clothing and engaging in outdoor manual labor, Elisa may be trying to assert her independence and challenge traditional gender roles. The heavy leather gloves that she wears while working also serve as a symbol of protection, both from the physical elements of her work and from the emotional vulnerability that comes with being a woman in a patriarchal society.

Everybody will eventually want revenge on an old friend or just someone they know. Montressor, similar to many people in the world, wants revenge on one of his old friends, Fortunato. The story opens with, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Poe 212). In this statement, Montressor tells the reader what the cause of his revenge against Fortunato is. “The Cask of Amontillado”, written by Edgar Allen Poe, tells the story of how Montressor brings Fortunato into the catacombs to bury him alive.

Montresor has wrath toward Fortunato for insulting and treating him less. Fortunato was tricked into thinking a different result would happen than his death. Montressor tried to make his own justice of the situation ‘’ At length, i will be avenged. ‘’ pg 83 Poe showing he's going to get back at Fortunato for what he did. “He did not perceive that my smile was at his demise’’

The Symbolism of “The Chrysanthemums” The short story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck follows a young woman named Elisa Allen. During the story, she works in her garden of flowers while her husband sells cattle to two gentlemen. Her husband, Henry Allen, came to Elisa to offer to go on a date after he was done with the two men. While working in her garden, a disheveled man, that remained unnamed, in a wagon comes in front of her house offering to fix her pots, pans, and other miscellaneous objects.

The fictional short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe takes place in the catacombs of Montresor’s palace, during the carnival’s climax. The story begins when Montresor, the villain of the story, vows revenge on Fortunato. Throughout the story, the author doesn't tell us what the revenge will be, but his choice of words in the details creates a mood in the reader. The author’s detailed description in the short story creates different moods in the reader like anger, satisfaction, curiosity, and victory because the chosen words connect with the audience.

As readers, we have no idea what Fortunato did to Montresor or his family name to drive him to such revenge. Poe hints at certain things, from revenge and the family crest to his arrogance of insisting that Fortunato penetrate the Montresor vault to acquire the esteemed Cask Amontillado. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge" (1126). The only clue is that Montresor systematically closes up Fortunato in a bone chamber perhaps with others who have wronged his family in the past. However, due to the reader's not knowing his true injustice, his murder seems unjustified and maybe even cruel to some

Elisa’s ability to attend to her chrysanthemum garden as if they were her children symbolizes Elisa’s femininity. However, Elisa’s husband, Henry Allen, fails to acknowledge Elisa’s femininity, which strains their relationship. Upon seeing Elisa’s chrysanthemum garden, Henry states, “I wish you’d work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big” (Steinbeck, 750). Instead of praising Elisa’s beautiful chrysanthemums, Henry believes Elisa’s talents would be better suited for fieldwork. Although the chrysanthemums symbolize Elisa’s femininity, Henry blatantly disregards Elisa’s beauty and talents and therefore her

In “Women’s Space,” the author also shows how the tinker feels by further explaining his actions: “On the way into town, Elisa sees the tinker's caravan up ahead, and her chrysanthemum sprouts on the ground beside the road. And although she tries to avoid both the sight of the plants and the unavoidable conclusion that what she values most highly about herself is of no consequence to anyone else, she is unsuccessful. At best, the tinker's careless discarding of the plants (he keeps the pot) implies indifference, at worst, disdain or rejection” (Skredsvig). Again, Skredsvig uses evidence to prove the tinker is set on Elisa/women to stay housewives. In “Everyday Use,” Walker describes how the daughter feels about her mother’s masculinity.

He had to keep the pot. That’s why he couldn’t get them off the road.” This shows that the only thing Elisa valued and cherished, was just thrown to the side like it was nothing. Because of this, Elisa starts questioning herself as a woman and even going as far as asking her husband questions that she already knew the answers to. In the story she asks her husband, “Henry, at those prize fights, do the men hurt each other very much?”

In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allan Poe displays the theme of revenge and manipulation. The narrator Montresor pledges revenge on Fortunato for an insult that is never explained. He maintains an appearance of goodwill towards Fortunato and decides to make use of Fortunato's weakness for fine wines against him. During the carnival season, the narrator approaches Fortunato, telling him that he has come across something that could pass for Amontillado a rare and expensive wine. Fortunato being excited about the news insists on accompanying Montresor to the vaults to determine whether it is Amontillado or not.

Montresor tortures Fortunato, both physiologically and physically. Montresor clearly gives Fortunato “multiple chances to escape his fate” (Delany 34), as he gives Fortunato obvious clues to his true intensions. These include leading Fortunato into a place for the dead, telling Fortunato not to go due to his severe cough that made it “impossible to reply” (Poe 5) at times, reminding Fortunato of his family arms, mentioning Luchesi, and showing Fortunato a trowel. Montresor seems to receive morbid joy out of the fact that Fortunato is so intoxicated that, just like the foot on Montresor’s coat of arms, he is unintentionally “stepping into his own destruction” (Cervo

The Chrysanthemums Literary Analysis One of the themes of “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck is gender inequality. In this short story, the main character Elisa Allen was a strong, smart woman who was stuck being a common housewife. Elisa wishes she could go out and be like the tinker, sleeping under the stars and adventuring every day of her life. Elisa’s husband owns a ranch of some sorts, and when he tells Elisa of the business deal he’d just made he gave her an unspecific explanation, or a dumbed down one so he doesn’t “confuse her”.

Mood is what draws a reader’s emotion to a story. The mood sets the scene for a story to play out on. In “ The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe there is a strong mood that drives the story. The mood is dark, angry, and mysterious. Key details and scenes help illustrate the mood.