For what possible purpose does Steinbeck give us such a detailed accountof Elisa’s preparations for her evening out? Notice her tearing off her soiled clothes, her scrubbing her body with pumice (paragraph 93–94)
What will be an ideal response?
- Steinbeck wisely sets up the reader for this moment with the detailed description of her masculine, dirty gardening clothes. After she begins to describe the seeding of the chrysanthemums for the salesman, she begins to relinquish her clothes: first her “battered hat” that reveals “her dark pretty hair” (par. 62) and then her gloves, which she forgot in the garden.
As her strong hands press the seeds in the “bright new flower pot,” the traveling salesman stood over her (par. 64). Elisa’s battle with her stifled sexuality is conveyed in detail (“her hand went out toward his legs in the greasy black trousers. . . . She crouched low like a fawning dog” (par. 75). William R. Osborne demonstrates that Steinbeck, in revising the story, heightened Elisa’s earthiness and the sexual overtones of her encounter with the repairman (Modern Fiction Studies 12 [1966]: 479–84). The revised version as it appeared in The Long Valley (New York: Viking, 1938) is the text used in this book.
Elizabeth McMahan finds a “purification ritual” in the scene that follows. Elisa “felt shame after her display of passion before the stranger. Now she cleanses herself before returning to her husband, the man to whom she should lawfully reach out in desire.” McMahan believes that Elisa punishes herself with the abrasive pumice until her skin is “scratched and red” (par. 93). (“‘The Chrysanthemums’: A Study of a Woman’s Sexuality,” Modern Fiction Studies 14 [1968]: 453–58.) However, it is easy enough to read this scene more simply: when Elisa puts on her best dress, which the narrator says is “the symbol of her prettiness,” she wants to remember—and she wants her husband to notice—her femininity (in contrast to the masculine gardening outfit), while preparing to enjoy a long-awaited evening in town, away from her farm.
You might also like to view...
Las ______________ son fiestas tradicionales mexicanas.
What will be an ideal response?
Qu’est-ce que votre amie a décidé d’acheter? Pourquoi?
Une amie française a laissé un message sur votre répondeur. Écoutez le message et répondez aux questions qui suivent Mon agent immobilier vient de téléphoner. Je serai bientôt propriétaire! Quand je suis devenue fonctionnaire, j’ai décidé qu’il valait mieux acheter que de payer un loyer chaque mois. J’ai trouvé un beau studio dans un immeuble bien entretenu. C’est dans le 13ème arrondissement, donc ce n’est pas très commode pour aller à mon travail, mais c’est dans un quartier tranquille. Mercredi en huit j’aurai signé tous les documents. En attendant de m’y installer, je te montrerai des photos.
In paragraph 2, the part of speech of the word connotes is
1. Within every culture, there is an overall sense of what is beautiful and what is not beautiful, what represents good taste as opposed to tastelessness or even obscenity, and so on. Such considerations are matters of aesthetics. Global marketers must understand the importance of visual aesthetics embodied in the color or shape of a product, label, or package. Likewise, different parts of the world perceive aesthetic styles differently. Aesthetic elements that are attractive, appealing, and in good taste in one country may be perceived differently in another. 2. There is nothing inherently “good” or “bad” about any color of the spectrum; all associations and perceptions regarding color arise from culture. Red is a popular color in most parts of the world; besides being the color of blood, in many countries red also is tied to centuries-old traditions of viticulture and winemaking. One recent study of perceptions in eight countries found that red is associated with “active,” “hot,” and “vibrant”; in most countries studied, it also conveys meanings such as “emotional” and “sharp.” As such, red has positive connotations in many societies. However, red is poorly received in some African countries. Blue, because of its associations with sky and water, has an elemental connotation with undertones of dependability, constancy, and eternity. White connotes purity and cleanliness in the West, but it is associated with death in parts of Asia. In the Middle East, purple is associated with death. Another research team concluded that gray connotes inexpensive in China and Japan, whereas it is associated with high quality and high cost in the United States. a. a pronoun. b. a noun. c. a verb. d. an adverb.
COMUNICACIÓN. ¿Qué sé yo? Completa los diálogos con la expresión más apropiada.
¿quién sabe? que yo sepa sabelotodo sin saber te dejo saber 1. — ¿A qué hora empieza la fiesta hoy? —____________ empieza a las 10. Si no es a esa hora, ____________. 2. —¿Por qué contestas todas las preguntas en la clase de historia? Eres un ____________. —Es que me gusta mucho la historia. 3. —Oye, ese es mi libro. —Perdón, lo hice ____________. Pensé que era el mío.