* The central idea, or theme, of a story is the motivating force that influences the author's choices.

1. Literature provides a concentrated, imaginative vision of the world. The type of literature known as the short story deals with every conceivable subject. An author can dramatize any aspect of human nature or the human condition: youth, happiness, marriage, divorce, nonconformity, growing old, dying. The narrative gives life to the idea, but what an author wants to convey about some aspect of life is what makes the story significant and meaningful.

2. OPENING Summary and Theme OPENING Summary of the story followed by a one-sentence statement of the theme*. In “The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck tells the story of Elisa, the 35 year old wife of Henry, a rancher who is unaware of the state of her loneliness. One day a 'tinker' arrives and taps into Elisa's repressed passion and desire in order to 'con' her out of a pot. He flatters her ability to plant and raise flowers, but in reality could care less. Lisa is taken in and gives him a pot with some of her flowers only to see later that evening (as she rides toward town with her husband) that the tinker has tossed the flowers away. Through Elisa's story, Steinbeck shows us how women who are unhappy can be easy prey. * The central idea, or theme, of a story is the motivating force that influences the author's choices.

3. PLOT Chronological? PLOT SECTION Briefly outline the major events of the story, identify whether or not they are presented in chronological order and if they are not, explain why. The plot of “The Chrysanthemums” is chronological. Elisa is tending to her garden when the tinker arrives and talks her into giving him a pot. After he leaves. Henry offers to take her to dinner and on their way she sees that the flowers have been tossed aside. Steinbeck does no tell us that the tinker has done that until Elisa sees them. By doing this he has saved the revelation of the betrayal so that we share it with Elisa and so, feel her pain.

4. CONFLICT Between? CONFLICT SECTION Identify the conflict, explain whether it is internal or external and what it is 'between‘ followed by support for your 'claim The conflict in the story is internal, within Elisa. She is torn between her mundane life which is devoid of excitement and adventure and the world described by the tinker, filled with travel and exotic experiences (or so she believes.) Sadly, this conflict is not resolved, as Steinbeck suggest she will always be as she is, for in the end "she was crying weakly--like an old woman."

5. CHARACTER Round/FlatStatic/Dynamic CHARACTER SECTION Brief description of each character followed by the character's type (Round or Flat, Static or Dynamic) and if he or she is a stereotype. With support for each choice. There are only three characters in this story. Elisa is the most developed. Her character is round and dynamic. She has many facets to her character; she is a wife and she is an extra-ordinary gardener, but she is childless and has substituted her flowers for the children she (or, perhaps, Henry) cannot have. By the end of the story, she is a different woman. She knows she has been played for a fool. Henry and the tinker are flat and static. They have only one side to their character and they do not change.

6. SETTING Where/When SETTING SECTION Identify where and when the story takes place and what impact that has on the theme of the story The story takes place in the Salinas Valley in California, probably in the 1930's. In those days, situations like Elisa's were not uncommon. And travelling tinkers like the pot mender were not unusual. One of the major roles of the wife of a farmer or rancher in those days was to provide children to work the farm or ranch. Elisa had none so she is relegated to one of the few things available at that time--gardening. Had this story taken place today we would likely be wondering why Elisa didn't have a career of her own or why she didn't leave her sad situation.

7. POINT OF VIEW Who tells the story POINT OF VIEW SECTION Identify the narrator The story is told by an omniscient narrator. Although Steinbeck doesn't delve into the minds of the characters he provides many clues as to how they feel through their actions. As they talk, Elisa's "breast swelled passionately" and the tinker looks "away self-consciously." But Henry's conversation is filled with 'blundering' and 'bewilderment.' We can tell how they feel and the ending of the story, when Elisa cries, is a clear indication of her emotional state.

8. LANGUAGE What devices used LANGUAGE SECTION Identify the language elements and what they contribute Steinbeck uses a variety of language elements in this story, including metaphors, similes, symbolism, irony, and dialogue. His description of the Salinas valley where Elisa lives uses a simile to describe the 'trap' she's in as well as a foreshadowing of the pot repairman's visit.("The high grey-flannel fog...sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot.") Steinbeck also uses symbolism to describe how Elisa's Chrysanthemums have come to replace the children she does not have. Even her husband seems to be aware of this.

9. CONCLUSION Summary of the paper CONCLUSION Restate the interpretation and sum up the paper It is through Elisa's story that Steinbeck shows us the sad plight of women like Elisa whose station in life makes them easy prey for unscrupulous people like the tinker. Her character's internal conflict, the setting of the story, the events that make up the plot, and the language, with its overtones of sexual frustration, work together to produce a tale that is unforgettable. It makes us feel better to know that such situations are less likely in today's world where women are free to pursue their dreams

10. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS

11. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme.

12. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme.

13. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order

14. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order CONFLICT Between? Internal or external and what it is 'between

15. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order CONFLICT Between? Internal or external and what it is 'between CHARACTER Round/FlatStatic/Dynamic Brief description of each character followed by the character's type

16. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order CONFLICT Between? Internal or external and what it is 'between CHARACTER Round/FlatStatic/Dynamic Brief description of each character followed by the character's type SETTING Where/When Where and when the story takes place

17. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order CONFLICT Between? Internal or external and what it is 'between CHARACTER Round/FlatStatic/Dynamic Brief description of each character followed by the character's type SETTING Where/When Where and when the story takes place POINT OF VIEW Who tells the story The narrator [Omniscient, First Person?]

18. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. CHARACTER Round/FlatStatic/Dynamic Brief description of each character followed by the character's type PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order CONFLICT Between? Internal or external and what it is 'between SETTING Where/When Where and when the story takes place POINT OF VIEW Who tells the story The narrator [Omniscient, First Person?] LANGUAGE What devices used Identify the language elements and what they contribute

19. A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OPENING Summary and Theme Summarize the story; conclude with one-sentence statement of the theme. CHARACTER Round/FlatStatic/Dynamic Brief description of each character followed by the character's type PLOT Chronological? Major events of the story in chronological order CONFLICT Between? Internal or external and what it is 'between SETTING Where/When Where and when the story takes place POINT OF VIEW Who tells the story The narrator [Omniscient, First Person?] LANGUAGE What devices used Identify the language elements and what they contribute CONCLUSION Analysis Summary Restate interpretation and summarize the discussion.