Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck is our June 2026 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on June 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers

Anybody reading this one? I havent started yet, but with just finishing a book tonight, i will probably crack it open soon.

Yes, ...plan to.... will start "soon". Still hasn't finished last months The Son of the Wolf: Tales of the Far North

Does anyone know if this available online for free?

Terry wrote: "Does anyone know if this available online for free?"

It's on Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/chrysanth...

I'm hoping to get to it later this month.

https://literaryfictions.com/fiction-...

https://mspachecogdhs.weebly.com/uplo...

Ok, this is a spoilers thread, right? I am not sure if i really quite understand this one, but i will put my impression.

Spoilers below
So, this woman is planting chrysanthemums in her garden. She sees her husband making a negotiation about selling cattle. (She is married) Later, a traveli g repair man stops for directions and to see if she has any needs. Woman is short with him at first, until he shows an interest in her chrysanthemums.
Through the process of getting him some flowers for another client, she seems intrigued by the idea of traveling, the adventure, and asks if women do it. He says he doesnt think it suits them.

Essentially, i get the idea that she is either interested in the man or interested in adventure, and when he leaves and she meets her husband later, she is all dolled up in her best dress and her husband is surprised. But she seems contented in just drinking some wine rather than pirsuing anything with the other man or the adventure she seems to want.

But am i missing something? And what was Steinbeck's point? That women get restless for adventure, but ultimately dont really want too much of the scare? I mean, (nervous giggle) is he picking fun at women's or women being fickle? (Fickle, is that the word?) I mean, ok fair enough, you dont understand us and we dont understand you men, but i am a little bugged by what that insinuates. Haha But no, i can take a joke or jibe, if it is just an observation, but like, i do not have to like this story. So i dont think i like it much, unless i am way off base. 😅🤷‍♀️

Steinbeck's characters seem to be a bit ambiguous. You can't pick a fight with them; you neither love nor hate them. Within this time frame, a 35-year-old woman would have few options, especially in an agricultural setting. So it is interesting that her talent lies in flowers, and she can fix her own tools. And maybe she is mourning the waste of seedlings, her expertise, and her adventure.

From what I have read of Steinbeck so far, I have the impression that he is straightforward. I am unsure what to make of this little story.

What does Elisa want? To live more like a man? The freedom to travel? To do something else than tending her chrysanthemums (her ”children”)? Are the chrysanthemums herself or the children she have not had?

Do we know what she wants? Does she know what she wants? Maybe that is the point: She does not know what she wants, but she is not happy with being a traditional wife.

The pots-and-pans man gets some chrysanthemums in a pot. Out of sight he throw away the chrysanthemums and keeps the pot. I am unsure what to make of that: She was deceived? People do not agree about what has value: for her the flowers, for him the pot. She cannot have children and see them travel away? Her gift was rejected?

Serious spoiler
(view spoiler)[

This is a story that has been much anthologized and discussed in literature classes. It is a heart breaker.

She has given the traveling repair man a gift of her time, effort, attention. She loves the chrysanthemums. She shares what she loves. He does not appreciate what she has given him. In fact, he destroys it. How sad.

(hide spoiler)]

I agree with Cynda. It is very sad. *Spoilers below.*

She has one thing that gives her pleasure, confidence and pride on the remote farm where she works with great energy and earnestness. I wonder what it’s like to raise beautiful flowers and have so few people see them? Someone comes along with the possibility that there is someone with whom she can share her skill--a kindred spirit.

I think we’ve all felt this at some time or other. We go into a situation thinking we’re understood and appreciated, only to find out we’ve been strung along. In this story, along with that, she’s dealing with the extremely limited options she has. Does she have to go to a gory fight to get some adventure? To show how strong she is? No, she’ll settle. Settle for the wine.

This story reminded me of The Bridges of Madison County. I wonder if Robert James Waller was influenced by it?

But it is herself that stays with the chrysanthemums rather than going for apples too as her husband suggests.

True. But I'm not sure she turned down the apples. She said maybe she could do it.

But if she did, would she be able to take over and sell the apples, or share her tips with other farmers? Her husband would probably get the credit, or more importantly, the enjoyment of sharing with others who do the same work.