The setting of John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" plays a significant role in shaping Elisa's character. The story is set in the Salinas Valley, a rural and isolated agricultural region in California during the Great Depression. This setting has several impacts on Elisa's character:
Limited Opportunities: The setting of the Salinas Valley reflects the limited opportunities available to Elisa as a woman during that time. The valley is depicted as a male-dominated world focused on farming and labor, which confines Elisa to traditional gender roles and restricts her potential for personal and intellectual growth.
Symbolism of the Chrysanthemums: The chrysanthemums, which Elisa cares for with great passion, represent her desire for self-expression and fulfillment. However, their confinement within the garden mirrors Elisa's own confinement within her societal role. The setting reinforces the idea that Elisa's potential is restricted by her environment.
Lack of Emotional Connection: The isolated and barren landscape of the Salinas Valley reflects Elisa's emotional emptiness and longing for connection. The absence of vibrant life in the setting reflects her own feelings of isolation and dissatisfaction within her marriage.
Symbolism of the Tinker's Wagon: When Elisa briefly escapes the Salinas Valley and encounters the tinker's wagon, it represents her yearning for adventure and freedom. The contrasting setting of the wagon, with its mobility and independence, highlights Elisa's desire to break free from the constraints of her current life.
In summary, the setting of "The Chrysanthemums" plays a crucial role in shaping Elisa's character by emphasizing her limited opportunities, symbolizing her confinement, reflecting her emotional emptiness, and contrasting her desires for freedom.