Odour of Chrysanthemums by D.H. Lawrence is a short story that portrays the revelation of the truth about yourself and coming to terms with that information. The writer shows how people can make a decision to marry, make love, give birth to other people, quarrel, live under the same roof in general, and be complete and utter strangers to each other. In spite of the fact that the story doesn’t give us, readers, lots of background information regarding a life of a protagonist, Elizabeth’s words manage to evoke a whirlwind of various emotions, for she has a lot in common with us. Just like many others people, she is confused and doesn’t know where and when she has done that particular mistake and why she has never even tried to analyze her life.
One of the few things Elizabeth that knows for sure is that she is a mother. She has Annie and John and an unnamed child that she carries under her heart. Her whole world revolves around them and a household. She doesn’t question the way they live and would definitely continue to do that, but one unfortunate event changes everything. Walt dies and that – naturally – puts an end to habitual existence. This is a moment when Elizabeth realizes how little does she know about that man. Being a mother of his children, she knows only a physical part of him, but such things as dreams, hopes, fears, disappointments and other no less important bits of information that used to be constituents of his personality remain a mystery. No wonder she feels awkward. If somebody would bring a corpse into a café or any other place where the majority of people don’t know each other and don’t know whose body it is, the reaction would be same. Fear, confusion and awkwardness would creep into their hearts. Elizabeth doesn’t only pity herself and the years she wasted, she feels sorry for Walt too.
Readers know about Walt as much as Elizabeth which means almost nothing. It is interesting how the author makes us change our opinions about him. He changes from an irresponsible husband to a mysterious man who once used to be nice lad with hearty laugh and – suddenly – he starts evoking a feeling of sorrow.
The author also raises a question of social injustice. What is going to happen next? A widow with three children who need food and clothes will not manage to survive on a little pension. Elizabeth has to hope that her own father and Walt’s mother won’t leave her in that dreadful hour of need, for the state won’t even bother to help them. It is quite possible that Elizabeth will have to work day and night to provide her children with the things they need. One way or another, this is going to be rather difficult life. D.H. Lawrence's story, indeed, reminds us of the importance of being honest with each other.
