What is Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes about?
Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten’s First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round.
What is the story Chrysanthemum about?
John Steinbeck’s short story “The Chrysanthemums” is about a proud, strong woman named Elisa Allen who feels frustrated with her present life. Her frustration stems from not having a child and from her husband’s failure to admire her romantically as a woman.
What is the lesson in chrysanthemum?
Provided is a model of how to think aloud about Chrysanthemum’s dilemma of being teased about her name and the effect that the teasing caused to her self-esteem. It’s a great book to use for lessons on cause-and-effect, friendship, bullying, feelings and/or self-esteem.
What is the problem in the book Chrysanthemum?
But when Chrysanthemum is teased by the other girls at school, her innocent and happy-go-lucky world is shattered. She becomes embarrassed and distressed by her unusually long name. Chrysanthemum’s parents continue to do what they have always done, which no longer works.
What happens at the end of The Chrysanthemums that makes Elisa sad?
Answers 1. They drive to town together, and Elisa notices a dark speck on the road in the distance. She realizes it’s the chrysanthemum sprouts that the tinker has dumped by the side of the road, keeping the pot.
How does the book Chrysanthemum end?
And, she doesn’t bother becoming friends with the girls even though they have finally accepted her because she knows just how shallow they truly are. Chrysanthemum is happy when she sees that karma gets them back at the very end of the book.
How did Chrysanthemum regain her self esteem?
When Chrysanthemum arrives to school instead of showing a smile like on the first day of school her facial expressions during class are sad, annoyed and helpless looking. One person helps Chrysanthemum realize how beautiful her matchless name is as well as restores Chrysanthemum’s confidence.
What is the climax of Chrysanthemum?
The climax is when Elisa tries to touch the tinker, but then decides not to. Since, she has been following the ways of society this seems like a daring move, but she chooses not to go through with this. The prominent conflict in this story is man vs self.
What does the Tinker fix for Elisa?
Not long after her husband has left, a travelling tinker arrives in a wagon and asks if he can repair anything for Elisa. He offers to sharpen tools or mend old pots and pans for her. She initially says no, but when the tinker takes an interest in her chrysanthemums, she lets down her guard.
What does Elisa see as she and her husband drive into town at the end of The Chrysanthemums?
As they drive along the road toward Salinas, Elisa sees a dark spot up ahead and can’t stop herself from looking at it, sure that it’s a pile of discarded chrysanthemum shoots that the tinker has thrown away.
Why did Elisa cry at the end of The Chrysanthemums?
Elisa “cries like an old woman” because she is absolutely crushed because she realizes that she has been duped by the tinker and that he was not interested in her chrysanthemums at all. He had only pretended to be interested in Elisa talking about them in order to get some business from her (some pots to mend).
Why does Elisa claim so good with plants?
She knows a great deal about plants, most likely because as a woman, gardening is the only thing she has to think about. Elisa is so frustrated with life that she readily looks to the tinker for stimulating conversation and even sex, two elements that seem to be lacking in her life.
What kind of character does not change his her attitude until the end of the story?
In talk about literature, this has led to the development of a crude but useful terminological distinction of two sorts of characterization: “static” and “dynamic.” A static character, in this vocabulary, is one that does not undergo important change in the course of the story, remaining essentially the same at the end …
Why is Elisa attracted to the Tinker?
Elisa’s feminine side begins to emerge as she takes off her masculine gloves and hat. She is attracted to the tinker because, as Stanley Renner points out, he represents a world of adventure and freedom that only men enjoy (306).
How did Chrysanthemum’s life change at school?
When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “You’re named after a flower .” Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn’t improve. In fact, it got worse. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs.
What is the story of chrysanthemum and Victoria?
Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “You’re named after a flower .” Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn’t improve.
How did Chrysanthemum get her name?
Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “You’re named after a flower .” Chrysanthemum wilted.
Who is the teacher in chrysanthemum?
Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed…. “Perfectly executed in words and illustration. . . . Few illustrators write as well as they draw; Kevin Henkes demonstrates once again that he belongs to that select company.” —The Horn Book (starred review)