Essay Questions

What is the significance of the novel’s title?

The title of the novel is self-referential to the titular flower as being present at every major milestone in the main character’s life. The flower is present when she marries her husband, when her daughter was born, and unfortunately every memory that she has involving her husband’s alcoholic binges--which happened more frequently than she wanted.

What does the Chrysanthemum symbolize in the novel?

The chrysanthemum becomes emblematic of many things for Elizabeth. It symbolizes her memories of her family milestones--marriage, childbirth, death--so the flowers become linked with transition and change in her life. When her husband starts to binge drink the meaning ascribed to chrysanthemums start to change. From then onward most every memory tied to the eponymous blossoms are also, regrettably, associated with humiliating memories of her and her children coping with her husband’s drunken so over time the flowers, unfortunately, come to symbolize her regrets in life.

How is the theme of social stratification discussed in the novel?

British society has had a long, well-documented history of class divisions and even though the aristocracy had all but fallen out of vogue by the time of the story’s writing there are still clear echoes of the practice that make itself known in the story. Elizabeth looks upon the mining community with contempt. In fact, she even blames her own miserable quality of life for having married someone below her social standing. She rationalizes her poor decision making with regard to her choice of spouse because she married for love. The sobering news of her husband’s passing however prompts her to own up to her contributions to the deterioration of their marriage and to question her previously held notions of social stratification.