"The Odour of Chrysanthemums" is a short story written by D.H. Lawrence in 1911. It tells the tale of Elizabeth Bates, a working-class woman living in a small mining town in England, and her tumultuous relationship with her husband, Walter.
At the beginning of the story, Elizabeth is shown to be a strong, independent woman who is unafraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. She is also deeply unhappy in her marriage, feeling neglected and unfulfilled by her husband, who is distant and preoccupied with his work as a miner.
As the story progresses, we see Elizabeth's emotional state deteriorate as she struggles to come to terms with her husband's death in a mining accident. Despite her initial grief and anger, Elizabeth ultimately finds solace in the beauty and fragility of the chrysanthemums that Walter had given her before his death. These flowers symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.
One of the main themes of "The Odour of Chrysanthemums" is the contrast between the harsh realities of working-class life and the fleeting beauty of nature. Lawrence expertly portrays the grueling conditions of the mining industry and the toll it takes on the workers and their families. At the same time, he also shows the transformative power of nature, as Elizabeth finds solace in the beauty of the chrysanthemums and the natural world.
Another important theme in the story is the role of gender in relationships. Elizabeth is shown to be a strong and capable woman, but her husband's neglect and lack of emotional support ultimately contribute to her unhappiness. This highlights the importance of communication and emotional intimacy in relationships, and the ways in which societal expectations of gender roles can affect these dynamics.
Overall, "The Odour of Chrysanthemums" is a poignant and powerful story that explores themes of loss, resilience, and the beauty of nature in the face of hardship. Lawrence's writing is evocative and lyrical, and he adeptly captures the emotions and experiences of his characters. It is a thought-provoking and deeply moving work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Keith Cushman
The children tire of playing as well, and their mother announces that it's time for bed. The lurid light of the opening scene, the trapped woman, the darkened kitchen, the ironic foreshadowing all heighten the connotations of pain, loneliness, and despair. Because Lawrence was imaginatively so close to the story, the successive versions are one of the best available mirrors of his artistic and emotional growth during his first years as a writer. As the children eat, Elizabeth drinks her tea with determination, growing angrier. The engine driver, the woman's father, leans out of the cab over the woman and asks cheerily if she has a cup of tea.
Odour of Chrysanthemums Foreshadowing Summary & Analysis
She expresses some disapproval at how quickly he remarried, but her father defends himself by saying that it's no life for a man of his age to sit alone by the hearth. She becomes increasingly angry and restless as the wait gets longer and she suspects that Walter is at the pub getting drunk. Stooping, she laid her hands on him, in claim. It is quite possible that Elizabeth will have to work day and night to provide her children with the things they need. The main character, Paul, often gives special meaning to the flowers present in the story. And she knew what a stranger he was to her. This young boy lived with his unhappy mother, along with the other family members.
Odour of Chrysanthemums Imagery Summary & Analysis
That she feels guilty immediately afterwards shows that she cares about his actions—teaching him what's proper—but also about her affect on him. She seemed to be listening, inquiring, trying to get some connection. Awaiting his return, she angrily says she will force him to sleep on the floor. Here, darkness symbolizes the fears that Elizabeth Bates has-the fear of the unknown and of the unexpected. Darkness, which represents the protagonist's fears, serves to bring out the negativity of the situation by underscoring the despair and lack of hope. Lawrence's portrayal of Man as vulnerable and inadequate underscores the despair and desolation of human condition. Lawrence's older brother Ernest died of pneumonia and erysipelas in London in October 1901.
Odour of Chrysanthemums Themes
In the story, male is represented by Walter Bates, his son John Bates, Mr. Elizabeth has stuck a handful of the tattered chrysanthemums in her waistband. The cycle of birth and death is incompatible with the static hostility of their roles as husband and wife. Despite this, the promise of a turn for the better ends only in greater uncertainty as Elizabeth remains enslaved and bound by her duties, for "she knew she submitted to life, which was her immediate master. She knew she had never seen him, he had never seen her, they had met in the dark and had fought in the dark, not knowing whom they met nor whom they fought. It is a movement of the ego, in response to a feared loss.
