The Chrysanthemums is a short story by John Steinbeck in which a woman named Elisa Allen is frustrated with her life as a housewife. She feels trapped in her role and yearns for something more. When a stranger comes to town and shows interest in her chrysanthemums, Elisa is thrilled. She feels seen and appreciated for the first time in a long time. However, the stranger is only interested in the flowers and not in Elisa herself. When he leaves, Elisa is heartbroken. She feels that she will never have what she wants in life and she cries.