Select one of the prompts below and follow the directions. Experiencing: Imagine yourself as Elisa, from “The Chrysanthemums,” and write an essay describing what your life is like 10 years after this story takes place. Interpreting: At the end of “The Chrysanthemums,” Elisa whispers, “That’s a bright direction, There’s a glowing there.” Write an essay explaining what you think Elisa means by those words. Support your explanation using references from the story. Evaluating: Elisa’s character, in “The Chrysanthemums,” expresses a universal longing to reach beyond our circumstances—to be more and do more. Find a character in another story from this unit that shares Elisa’s longing. For each character, explain how the author conveys this universal longing and makes the reader empathize with the character. How are the two characters similar and different? With which character do you feel the strongest empathy, and why?
I will choose the Evaluating prompt.
In "The Chrysanthemums," Elisa Allen is a character who expresses a strong desire to break free from the limitations society has placed upon her as a woman. She longs for a life of adventure, purpose, and connection, but feels trapped in her role as a housewife. Elisa's yearning to be more and do more is a universal theme that resonates with many readers.
Another character in this unit who shares Elisa's longing is Louise Mallard from "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. Like Elisa, Louise is confined by societal expectations and yearns for something more in her life. When Louise learns of her husband's death, she experiences a mix of emotions, including sorrow, but also a sense of newfound freedom. She yearns to live for herself and be free from the constraints of marriage.
Both Elisa and Louise convey their longing through their internal thoughts and desires. In "The Chrysanthemums," Elisa's intense involvement with her garden serves as a metaphor for her desire for fulfillment and her need for more meaningful experiences. She pours her energy into the chrysanthemums, nurturing and caring for them, much like she wishes someone would care for her own desires. Similarly, Louise's longing is portrayed through her inner thoughts, which are revealed to the reader through the narration. When she realizes she is now free, she feels a sense of immense joy and anticipation for a new life.
The two characters are similar in that they both yearn for a life beyond their current circumstances and societal expectations. They desire freedom, purpose, and fulfillment. However, they differ in their reactions to their longing. Elisa is more proactive, attempting to engage with the world around her by seeking out opportunities for adventure, such as her interactions with the tinker. In contrast, Louise's yearning is short-lived, as she eventually discovers that her husband is alive, leading to her tragic death. Her longing is transformative but ultimately unfulfilled.
Personally, I feel the strongest empathy with Elisa. Her desire for more in life is palpable, and her attempts to break free from societal constraints are admirable. Elisa's longing and the way she expresses it resonates deeply with me as a reader, as I believe many can relate to the feeling of being trapped in our circumstances and yearning for something greater.