The Purpose of Including Dogs in The Chrysanthemums

John Steinbeck’s short story, “The Chrysanthemums,” delves into the complex themes of gender roles, personal fulfillment, and the yearning for something more in life. The presence of dogs throughout the narrative serves a significant purpose, contributing to the story’s symbolism and characterization. This article will examine the purpose behind including dogs in “The Chrysanthemums” and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the story.

Symbolism of Dogs

The interaction between Elisa’s dogs and the tinker’s dog symbolizes the relationship dynamics between Elisa and the tinker. Elisa’s dogs, with their strength and robustness, represent her wit and intelligence compared to the tinker. Through this symbolism, Steinbeck emphasizes the power dynamics between Elisa and the tinker, highlighting Elisa’s superiority despite societal expectations.

Elisa’s Character and Desire for Adventure

The presence of dogs in the story reflects Elisa’s longing to escape her role as a housewife and experience adventure. They serve as a constant reminder of her deep-seated desire for something more in life. The dogs symbolize Elisa’s inner strength and resilience, embodying her untamed spirit that seeks liberation from societal constraints.

Inability to Communicate

The dogs also symbolize Elisa’s inability to effectively communicate her inner feelings. Although they are aware of her desire to escape, they cannot vocalize or communicate it. The dogs become a metaphor for Elisa’s struggle to express herself fully and articulate her frustrations and aspirations. Their silence echoes her own voicelessness within the confines of her domestic life.

Passive Submission

Towards the end of the story, the dogs’ behavior mirrors Elisa’s passive submission to the tinker’s charm and manipulation. When the tinker’s dog threatens them, Elisa’s dogs retreat and sleep, abandoning any confrontation. This reflects Elisa’s own surrender to the tinker’s persuasive tactics and her eventual realization that her dreams may remain unfulfilled. The dogs’ passive submission underscores Elisa’s internal conflict between her yearning for change and the societal pressures that hold her back.

Conclusion

In “The Chrysanthemums,” the inclusion of dogs serves multiple purposes, enriching the story with symbolism and depth. They symbolize the relationship dynamics between Elisa and the tinker, reflect Elisa’s desire for adventure and escape, highlight her inability to effectively communicate her inner feelings, and mirror her eventual passive submission. Through these symbolic representations, Steinbeck explores themes of gender roles, personal fulfillment, and the limitations imposed by society. The presence of dogs in “The Chrysanthemums” invites readers to contemplate the complexities of human desires and aspirations.

Sources:

[2] “The Chrysanthemums’ and ‘The Lady with the Pet Dog’ as the Key to a Happy Marriage: [Essay Example].” GradesFixer, 24 May 2022, https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/the-chrysanthemums-and-the-lady-with-the-pet-dog-as-the-key-to-a-happy-marriage/.

[3] “What is the purpose of including dogs in the story?” GradeSaver, https://www.gradesaver.com/the-chrysanthemums/q-and-a/what-is-the-purpose-of-including-dogs-in-the-story-257608.

[4] “The Last Chrysanthemums” – What is the purpose of including the dogs in the story? – CourseBB, https://www.coursebb.com/2017/07/26/last-chrysanthemumswhat-purpose-including-dogs-story/.

FAQs

The Purpose of Including Dogs in “The Chrysanthemums”

Introduction



John Steinbeck’s short story, “The Chrysanthemums,” delves into the complex themes of gender roles, personal fulfillment, and the yearning for something more in life. The presence of dogs throughout the narrative serves a significant purpose, contributing to the story’s symbolism and characterization. This article will examine the purpose behind including dogs in “The Chrysanthemums” and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the story.

Symbolism of Dogs

The interaction between Elisa’s dogs and the tinker’s dog symbolizes the relationship dynamics between Elisa and the tinker. Elisa’s dogs, with their strength and robustness, represent her wit and intelligence compared to the tinker. Through this symbolism, Steinbeck emphasizes the power dynamics between Elisa and the tinker, highlighting Elisa’s superiority despite societal expectations.

What is the symbolic significance of the dogs in “The Chrysanthemums”?

The dogs symbolize the relationship dynamics between Elisa and the tinker, with Elisa’s dogs representing her intelligence and strength compared to the tinker.

How do the dogs contribute to the exploration of power dynamics in the story?

The dogs’ symbolism emphasizes the power dynamics between Elisa and the tinker, highlighting Elisa’s superiority despite societal expectations.

Elisa’s Character and Desire for Adventure



The presence of dogs in the story reflects Elisa’s longing to escape her role as a housewife and experience adventure. They serve as a constant reminder of her deep-seated desire for something more in life. The dogs symbolize Elisa’s inner strength and resilience, embodying her untamed spirit that seeks liberation from societal constraints.

How do the dogs in “The Chrysanthemums” reflect Elisa’s character?

The dogs symbolize Elisa’s desire for adventure and escape, serving as a reminder of her longing for something more in life.

What aspect of Elisa’s character do the dogs represent?

The dogs embody Elisa’s inner strength and resilience, symbolizing her untamed spirit that yearns to break free from societal constraints.

Inability to Communicate

The dogs also symbolize Elisa’s inability to effectively communicate her inner feelings. Although they are aware of her desire to escape, they cannot vocalize or communicate it. The dogs become a metaphor for Elisa’s struggle to express herself fully and articulate her frustrations and aspirations. Their silence echoes her own voicelessness within the confines of her domestic life.

How do the dogs in “The Chrysanthemums” represent Elisa’s communication struggles?



The dogs symbolize Elisa’s difficulty in expressing her inner feelings and frustrations, mirroring her own voicelessness within her domestic life.

Why can’t the dogs in the story communicate Elisa’s desire to escape?

The dogs serve as a metaphor for Elisa’s struggle to articulate her aspirations, as they are unable to vocalize or communicate her yearning for something more.

Passive Submission



Towards the end of the story, the dogs’ behavior mirrors Elisa’s passive submission to the tinker’s charm and manipulation. When the tinker’s dog threatens them, Elisa’s dogs retreat and sleep, abandoning any confrontation. This reflects Elisa’s own surrender to the tinker’s persuasive tactics and her eventual realization that her dreams may remain unfulfilled. The dogs’ passive submission underscores Elisa’s internal conflict between her yearning for change and the societal pressures that hold her back.

How do the dogs’ actions at the end of the story reflect Elisa’s behavior?

The dogs’ behavior mirrors Elisa’s passive submission to the tinker’s charm and manipulation, highlighting her internal conflict between her desire for change and societal pressures.

What does the dogs’ passive submission symbolize in “The Chrysanthemums”?

The dogs’ passive submission represents Elisa’s surrender to the tinker’s persuasive tactics and her eventual realization that her dreams may remain unfulfilled.