FEMINISM in John Steinbeck's The Chrysanthemums

This is my first Literature assignment for my Degree.. the task is to write an essay, relating the literary criticisms with one literature piece which in this case referring to The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck... i am posting this to share my knowledge and to also gain any critics on my writing.. i am just a beginner in this Literature world so i really hope you guys can go easy on me... Enjoy~~

Feminism in “The Chrysanthemums”

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Feminism begins in the early 1900’s as a literary movement that advocates equal rights for all women regardless of their religions and races. According to Estelle Freedman (2009), feminism can be defined as a belief that although women and men are inherently of equal worth, most societies privilege men as a group. This theory is featured in John Steinbeck’s short story entitled The Chrysanthemums which tells about Elisa Allen, who is a wife of a ranch owner, Henry Allen, struggling between being a strong woman and a traditional woman. Thus, I will highlight how Steinbeck portrayed the notions of patriarchy, gender stereotyping, and gender inequality in this story.

2.1 PATRIARCHY

Patriarchy is one of the things that are being issued in the context of feminism. Patriarchy according to Allan Johnson (1997) can be defined as promotion of male privilege by being male-dominated, male-identified, and male-centred. In the simplest words is that male are views as the superior one compare to the inferior female. In The Chrysanthemums, Elisa Allen is a strong and a nurturing wife that has a special talent with planting crop. Henry Allen, the husband, acknowledged Elisa’s talent when he said that Elisa “got a gift with things” (p.2) and that he wished that she can “work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big” (p.2). Elisa too, agreed with Henry’s remark on her gift as she said her mother got what is called “planters’ hands” (p.2). However, their conversation just ended there when Henry stated that “it sure works with flowers” (p.2). From this statement, it is suggested that Elisa’s unique skill is being regarded by Henry as a futile skill and it is only useful on something minor such as planting the chrysanthemums. Besides that, one trait of patriarchy is evidenced in this scene when Elisa changed the topic of the conversation from her planting skill to Henry’s meeting with the two businessmen. This strengthens one of the definitions for patriarchy which is male-domination. Henry is the dominant one in their relationship while Elisa is the submissive. Elisa unconsciously agreed with Henry’s statement of her skill and she also changed the topic so that they do not have to talk about it any more. Thus, it is clear that the issue of patriarchy is raised in this short story.

2.2 GENDER STEREOTYPING

The next main issue that is being highlighted in the context of feminism is gender stereotyping. Basow (1992) defined gender stereotyping as simplistic generalisations about the gender attributes, differences, and roles. In other words, gender stereotyping is how the society perceived a particular gender supposed to perform. In this short story, the said gender is female which is depicted by Elisa’s character. Elisa expressed her wish to experience the tinker’s life by saying “I wish women could do such thing." (p.6). However, the tinker opposed her by saying that "It ain't the right kind of a life for a woman.” (p.6). He also added up that it will “be a lonely life for a woman and a scary life” (p.7). From this quotes, a characteristic of gender stereotyping is demonstrated from the tinker’s statement that it is not right for a woman to live a life like him. The tinker lived a life that can be considered as adventurous and at the same time risky too. As so, the tinker is stereotyping that women are not suitable to live that sort of life and that women are only meant to stay at home. He considered that women are too weak and too infirm for the venturesome life. Elisa, too, did not further argue about the tinker’s statement because she knew exactly how the society perceived female. The female is expected to be soft, harmless and dependent. These are what that confined Elisa all along. Hence, this is how the matter of gender stereotyping is illustrated in The Chrysanthemum.

2.3 GENDER INEQUALITY

Lastly, the subject that is being raised in the literary theory of feminism is gender inequality. Macionis (2007) wrote that gender inequality is the unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege between men and women. In simplest term, gender inequality can be understood as an inequitable treatment put upon a certain gender. In The Chrysanthemums, Henry playfully suggested that they should go watch some fights after they had their dinner but Elisa rejected Henry’s offer by saying that “No, I wouldn't like fights.” (p.2). However, towards the end of the story, Elisa raised up the topic of the fights, asking whether there are women who go to the fight. She even read about the fights. It is illustrated by the line "Well, I've read how they break noses, and blood runs down their chests. I've read how the fighting gloves get heavy and soggy with blood." (p.9). Henry, noticing Elisa’s curiosity about the fights, said that “I don't think you'd like it, but I'll take you if you really want to go." (p.9). However, she rejected it by saying that "Oh, no. No. I don't want to go. I'm sure I don't.” (p.9). Through these excerpts, we can detect that Elisa actually has interest in watching the fights as she asked about it in the car. Nevertheless, she had to reject Henry’s offer because she was bound to the way society perceived female. This inequality that happened upon Elisa has objected her to her own desire. Thus, this is how gender inequality is expounded in the short story The Chrysanthemums.

3.0 CONCLUSION

All in all, by using the feminist literary criticism, we can spot that many notions of feminism are being exemplified in this short story. The Chrysanthemums portrays a strong woman who is forced to live a life of a traditional woman. Her special skill is denied and her wish is objected. Vera Nazarian (2010) wrote that “A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less. Equality is a given. A woman is human.” I agree with this statement that regardless of one’s gender, equality should be given to both. Women are human too; therefore why are their needs and wants are being denied? To conclude, everyone should play their role in order to change these old-fashioned views of women.

REFERENCES LIST

Basow, S. A. Gender: Stereotypes and Roles. New Orleans: Cole Publication, 1992.

Bressler, C. E. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. (5^th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2007.

Freedman, E. What is Feminism? Retrieved March 6, 2013, from http://ntb.stanford.edu/quotes.html

 Johnson, A. G. The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997.

Macionis, J. J. Sociology (13^th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2007.

Nazarian, V. The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration: Old Wisdom for a New World. New York: Spirit Publisher, 2010.

Steinbeck, J. The Chrysanthemums. Retrieved February 26, 2013, from http://nbu.bg/webs/amb/american/4/steinbeck/chrysanthemums.htm