The Chrysanthemums Group

Question:

lalyleroplus
lalyleroplus
Student
College - Freshman

In "The Chrysanthemums" how is Elisa's and Henry's marriage?

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Posted by lalyleroplus on Friday November 7, 2008 at 1:40 PM and tagged with characters, short story, summary analysis, the chrysanthemums.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Elisa and Henry have a solid relationship.  They are both hardworking and "strong" people.  Their relationship, while not really discussed, seems a little stiff.  They decide to go out to dinner together that evening, and when Henry sees his wife dressed up he tells her she "looks nice."  She doesn't know how to take this complement and becomes defensive.  Henry knows Elisa is "waiting for something" but he doesn't know what to say.  Over all these two people live from day to day loving each other, depending on each other, but not really understanding each other.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/chrysanthemums/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/chrysanthemums/summary
    http://www.enotes.com/chrysanthemums/themes

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Friday November 7, 2008 at 8:49 PM


  2. eaglecat Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Henry is a good man, but something is lacking for Elisa.  She was drawn in by the traveler's flattery.  She welcomed the conversation about what she was passionate about (the Chrysanthemums) as if she never had a chance to share it before, or at least not recently.  If she felt secure and valued in her relationship with Henry, she would not have been so vulnerable.  Their marriage is surely lacking in communication and true fellowship, although they clearly depend on eachother and both work hard to ensure the day to day things are taken care of.  It seems that they just have "lost touch" when it comes to their emotional bonds.

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    Posted by eaglecat on Saturday November 8, 2008 at 8:08 AM