1.      Every one of us strives to be better, accomplish more, and do it faster.  Some
of us may be occasionally disappointed, but it is whether or not we choose to try again that determines our success.  John Steinbeck gives us one example of this in “Chrysanthemums”. [."] The theme of this story is that although most people are eager to do more and try different things with their life, not everyone will succeed with this attempt. [This is not a very fruitful thesis -- the story deals primarily with a problem of just women, not "most people."]

2.     To characterize Elisa’s lifestyle, one would conclude that she wants more out of her life than what she has now.  For example, she wants more responsibility and wishes to help with the orchard, and she tries to prove this to her husband by saying, “Maybe I could do it, too”.  She also finds the peddler’s traveling lifestyle appealing.  She states this by saying more than once, “That would be a nice way to live”.

3.       Elisa also wants more love than what she has now.  The first example of her need for more love is her sexual advances [hmmm] toward the peddler.  Elisa is explaining the night sky, but she is also being very sexual by stating:
 

4.       A second example of her need for love is she near nagging her husband for a polite compliment.  She does this by asking several times, “What do you mean by ‘nice’?”  [Develop this paragraph or drop it. It is too short, and it opens a topic which you do not develop -- the relationship between her and her husband.]

5.      An example of a relevant conflict in this story is the appearance vs. reality conflict.  [Weak topic sentence] Elisa has the appearance of being too weak and womanly to do worthwhile work. [Doesn't the ending of the story suggest that it is the reality, not just the appearance?] For example, although Elisa sounds enthusiastic at the opportunity of helping in the orchard, her husband doesn’t take her ability in doing so seriously. [Nice point] The peddler also assumes that because of her appearance [sex?] she would be unable to sharpen scissors or fix pots because of the “lonely life”.  In reality she is very eager to do any work.  The chrysanthemums are evidently not enough for her anymore, this is known because it was said, “The chrysanthemum stems seemed too small and easy for her energy”.  [CS -1] She also wants very much to work in the orchard and attempts to prove this to her husband by saying, “Maybe I could do it, too”.  Elisa is also anxious to prove her abilities to the peddler by telling him; “You might be surprised to have a rival some time”.  [Does the preceding paragraph support a conflict between appearance / reality, or between male and female?]

6.     A second type of conflict apparent in the story is the conflict of male vs. female.  [The primary conflict in the story is between male and female.] Every male character in this story treats Elisa as a child, nearly incompetent of doing what they do, or have done. [Nice] This may be the reasoning behind Elisa’s urge to prove that she can be authoritative also.  There is competition between Elisa and the peddler about the right life for a woman.  The peddler believes that a woman couldn’t handle the lonely, scary life that he has.  He confirms this by adding, “It ain’t the right kind of life for a woman.” [Nice point, but this conflict could be developed in a LOT more detail.]

7.     There is also conflict between Elisa and her husband. Although Elisa never argues with her husband, she feels internal conflict against him, while he is unaware of these conflicts.  Elisa’s husband appears to have the most responsibility in running the farm and also in their relationship.  He complains if she changes her demeanor or her manners. [You need to cite from the text here. It seems to me that he likes her better when she has changed, and is somewhat disappointed at her reversal.] He also takes the position of planning the night out for them.  This night out is to celebrate what he has accomplished throughout his day.  This criticizes Elisa and makes her feel less worthy compared to her husband. [What, in the story, suggests this?] He also makes the assumption that Elisa couldn’t handle watching a fighting match. [And he is right. I think you overemphasize the conflict between Henry and Elisa. Isn't the primary conflict within Elisa -- in her sense of being excluded from a "man's" world?]

8.     Symbols are used in this story to show that Elisa’s lifestyle is not enough for her anymore, and when she finally opens herself up for change, she was let down.  The first example of a symbol used is the chrysanthemums representing [represent] Elisa’s life. [Nice, but they also represent her unappreciated "work," not to mention all their sexual connotations in this story.] Chrysanthemums are unchanging, the same year-round, and as mentioned earlier, the chrysanthemums aren’t enough for Elisa anymore.  The fence around the chrysanthemums symbolizes Elisa’s heart.  [Also her jail?] The fence is always protecting, and is rarely opened.  The husband is always outside the fence, but the peddler is invited inside the fence.  [Why is he invited inside?] This shows that Elisa has finally been able to make something new come into her life.  The shoots inside the bright pot that are given to the peddler represent the new Elisa. [Nice] These shoots were a part of her garden (her heart).  This is her only attempt [within the story] to take charge and make a change for herself.  The shoots mean a new beginning and are symbolic of finally moving on.  The destroyed shoots found on the road symbolize disappointment and show that Elisa’s lifestyle will not change.  Elisa cannot accept this disappointment, and therefore fails at changing.  She affirms this by saying, “It will be enough if we can have wine”.

9.  Elisa doesn’t want to be persuaded or urged to be the same as she has been.  She wants to have more control in her life, and she states this by merely hinting at things she would like to do, for example the orchard, the peddlers lifestyle, and a romance. [romance?] When she finally does open her heart to an unknown peddler, she is badly disappointed.  This disappointment is so hurtful to Elisa, she will never [? -- don't overstate the point] attempt to allow a new experience in her life again, but instead will continue with the regular routine of her life.  Therefore, although Elisa did attempt a new experience, she still fails at making a long-term change to her life.
 
[This essay makes numerous excellent observations about the story, but they have not been worked into an organized, directed analysis.  The paper suggests that all the conflicts, symbols, etc. are of equal importance, but the story suggests that Elisa's primary problem is the restrictions on women, restrictions which exist in the assumptions of men -- and in Elisa herself. The problem in the essay is reflected in the incomplete outline.]

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