Question

In the short story "The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck, how does the description of the Salinas Valley as a "closed pot" best reflect Elisa's inner feelings?

A. Happy and content, Elisa is fulfilled by her marriage and home life.
B. Lazy and self-centered, Elisa dislikes working on their ranch.
C. Lonely, Elisa is dissatisfied with being cut off from the outside world.
D. Fun and outgoing, Elisa is interested only in having a good time.

Answer 1

C. Lonely, Elisa is dissatisfied with being cut off from the outside world.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Steinbeck's short story of "The Chrysanthemums" is mainly about the character of Elisa Allen, the protagonist. Her 'closed' life being in the ranch contrasts with her 'outgoing' personality, who has lots of energy and wants adventure.

With the description of the Allens' residential area of Salinas Valley as a "closed pot", the author Steinbeck is also referring to the character of Elisa. Like the place, Elisa is also cooped up in the same place with nothing new happening nor any form of exciting things to look forward to. The place and Elisa are dormant in their own way, doing the same things day in and day out. Elisa is herself an adventurous woman, being easily excited by the arrival of strangers in town. She even wished she was like the traveler, going to different places. This 'closed pot' description of Elisa Allen's inner feelings is best reflected by the sentence -

C. Lonely, Elisa is dissatisfied with being cut off from the outside world.

Answer 2

C. Lonely, Elisa is dissatisfied with being cut off from the outside world.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elisa is not made to live in the Salinas Valley, which is a "closed pot," like the author described it. She is a free person, who wants to experience many things, enjoy and live life, yet she cannot do that because she has to work on the ranch and be a good wife to her husband. This is why she gets so excited when the trader comes by - it provides her with the excitement she so lacks in her own life, which cannot be substituted with anything in her faraway ranch.