Feminist Movement
Feminist MovementFeminist Movement
During the late 1930’s John Steinbeck wrote the short story “The Chrysanthemums”. During that time America was facing many issues such as the Great Depression, unions were developing, and child labor in manufacturing was terminated (Jones 805-6). The country appeared to be a male – dominated society that didn’t allow females of any type any recognitions or leadership. Even if women tried they could not be leaders,participate nor contribute their ideas. Trying to gain liberation was a fight ending in defeat. Steinbeck’s character Elisa Allen shows her to be a strong, capable women kept from personal, social, and sexual fulfillment by the prevailing conception of a women’s role in a world dominated by men (Renner 306). Many masculine roles are demonstrated in Elisa’s character, her actions and the frustration women felt in the masculine world in the 1930’s. Charles A. Sweet, Jr. observes “Steinbeck’s world,” “is a man’s world, a world that frustrates even minor league women’s librations” (214).
Evidence of frustration is introduced about Elisa when Steinbeck describes her figure like that of a man “blocked and heavy,” wearing a man’s black hat, with heavy shoes, and a big apron covering her printed dress (Steinbeck 1276). Her home has many masculine qualities described as a “neat white farm house, hard swept, with hard - polished windows, and a clean mud mat” (Steinbeck 1276). Elisa is unhappy with the traditional female role and has attempted to extend her abilities into masculine areas. She seems to have to find interest in masculine qualities because of all the non – feminist areas that are not in existence around her. Elisa is bored with her husband along with her own life. There is a distinct lack of rapport between these two, despite all that mutual respect (McMahan 455). Elisa’s reactions to her situations are like that of a man’s, but is reminded that she is a women. When her husband, Henry, admires her crop Eliza is flattered that such a manly man can appreciate her accomplishments. Her husband then reminds her of her feminism by offering her a night out on the town. Elisa is further convinced that her accomplishments are deeply fulfilling, but it makes her slowly to the realization that she does not posses much of what she wants (Marcus 55).
In the next section, the tinker appears. He is what, the meat buyers were to Henry (Sweet 211). Her reactions are like that of a man, for she resists giving him work (Marcus 55). Elisa starts to show her feminine qualities as she continues to chat with the tinker. As he leaves he notices her prized possession, and continues chatting and pretends to show interest and love for flowers. “The irritation and resistance melted from Elisa’s face” (1279 Steinbeck)....
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