Fault
Elizabeth doesn’t like chrysanthemums and this strong dislike is not without a reason. There was the image of “chrysanthemums” when she married Walt, when Annie was born, and “the first time they ever brought him home drunk, he’d got brown chrysanthemums in his button-hole.” She couldn’t stand these flowers. The irony is that Elizabeth direct her anger at innocent flowers that can’t be responsible for any of her misfortunes. She doesn’t even try to discuss the problem with Walt. A chrysanthemum becomes an embodiment of everything she doesn’t like in her life and every decision she regrets. This is not a mature way to handle problems.
Make it less awkward
Elizabeth decides that it is high time to take matters into her own hands and goes to look for her husband. First of all, she goes to one of her neighbors to ask whether they know where Walt is. They ask her to come in and Elizabeth can’t help but notice that their kitchen needs “apology.” There are “little frocks and trousers and childish undergarments on the squab and on the floor, and a litter of playthings everywhere.” Elizabeth says that her kitchen “is just as bad.” The irony is that it is a false statement. She says it to make Mrs. Rigley feel better.
Mother’s love
Walt’s mother continued repeating that Walt used “to be a happy lad,” “a good lad,” “a jolly enough lad” and so on. Of course, she didn’t deny the fact that Elizabeth had some “trouble with him,” but he still was a good lad. The irony is that Mrs. Beates is Walt’s mother and he is the best for her. She says that he used to be happy with her and it sounds like an accusation for Elizabeth. A mother’s love is strong enough to overlook her child’s flaws.
