The Chrysanthemums symbols

“The Chrysanthemums”

In “The Chrysanthemums,” Steinbeck shows the reader his ability to develop different meanings in his writing. It was a tendency for early critics to view him as “kind of naive natural genius who, having limited resources of techniques even more severely limited vocabulary, blundered occasionally into displays of impressive, if brutal, power”(Piwinski 11). It is quite impressive on the way Steinbeck writes. Steinbeck uses symbols to show readers something in a different viewpoint. In this essay, I plan to show how Steinbeck’s use of personal symbols, universal symbols, and the symbol of children.
John Steinbeck uses personal symbols impressively. The fog covers the valley like “a closed pot.” This “closed pot” symbolized Elisa’s isolation from the world. “Because the Allen’s live away from town, Elisa rarely encounters ...