English 30-1

Isherwood

The Chrysanthemums By John Steinbeck

Guided Analysis
*Please number each page of the story

Name: ____________

Date: _______________

Pre-Reading
Part 1
Use your smart device to visit www.biography.com and search for John Steinbeck. Answer each question about the
author in point form.

When and where was Steinbeck born?

At what age did he decide to become a writer?

What is Steinbecks greatest novel?

List the two great literary awards Steinbeck won in his lifetime.

His work often deals with ________ and __________ issues.

Pre-Reading
Part 2
Instructions: Use your smart-device to define each of the following terms in your own words.

Salinas Valley:

Fordson:

Chrysanthemum:

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Smugness:

Trowel:

Schooner:

Mongrel:

Perplexed:

Fawning:

Pumice:

Isherwood

English 30-1

Isherwood

Pre-Reading
Part 3
In The Painted Door we studied the character of Ann, and her oppressive life as a dissatisfied
housewife on the prairies. In The Chrysanthemums, we meet Elisa, a women who leads a
systematic, slumbering farm existence in California. Using what you know about Ann, brainstorm at
least ten words that might describe Elisas situation.

http://pacehighschool.net/Documents/GraphicOrganizersforReading.pdf

English 30-1

Isherwood

Pre-Reading
Part 4
Exposition is a literary device used to introduce information about setting, characters, etc. to the
reader. Exposition is crucial to a story; without it, nothing would make sense.
Read the first five paragraphs of The Chrysanthemums, and fill in each element of exposition
below.
Setting: (consider place, season, and time of day)

Characters: (give details on actions, appearance, and qualities)

Reading
Perform a close reading of The Chrysanthemums. Please chunk, summarize, ask questions, etc.

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Isherwood

Post-Reading: Analysis
Part 1
Provide an explanation for each theme in relation to The Chrysanthemums. Ask yourself: How is this theme present in
the story? & Which character(s) exemplify this theme? You may work with a partner.

Women & Femininity

Dissatisfaction

Isolation

Transformation

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Isherwood

Part 2
Instructions: Working with the theme of transformation, use the timeline below to trace the development and
change Elisa experiences in The Chrysanthemums. Under Date or Event describe Elisas character starting at the
beginning and working your way to the end of the story; be detailed and specific. Under Description provide an
explanation and quotation from the story as evidence for your claims. Remember to cite the page number in
brackets.

http://freeology.com/wp-content/files/verticaltimeline.pdf

English 30-1

Isherwood

Part 3
The Chrysanthemums are an obvious symbol in this story, starting with the title. What, or who, do they represent? To
assist your analysis, go back to the story with your highlighter.

http://perfectgardeningtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Chrysanthemums.jpg

Woohoo! Youve made it. Great job!