The Chrysanthemums

In class today or group talked about the theme of the story. I think that the theme was about relationships.I thought that Elisa was a strong women who didnt know how to let people get close to her. The only thing that made her happy was her chrysanthemums. I think that they were like her kids. She was very protective and took very good care of them."Back at the chrysanthemum bed she pulled out the little crisp shoots, trimmed off the leaves of each one with her scissors and laid it on a small orderly pile."(633)

She seems to have communication problems with her husband. He tries to talk and complement her work."You"ve got a gift with things"(633) For some reason she doesnt show interest in what he is saying.When the man showed up at the farm she was not talkative. He wanted to do some work for her, to earn some money. Until he showed interest in the flowers, she wanted to send him on his way. She was happy that he liked her flowers and wanted to help him out. Somehow he got her to open up. She seemed to change at this point. It was almost like she had finally found someone she could talk to and trust. After he left, it was almost like she wanted to try to make her relationship work with her husband. When heading into town with her husband and she saw the flowers she had given the man on the side of the road, she was pissed. I dont know how she could open up to a perfect stranger but couldnt with her husband. Maybe seeing the flowers on the road opened her eyes to try harder with her husband.