March is Women’s History Month, a time when we celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and recognize the challenges that they have overcome. Women’s Month is an important time to reflect on the progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality, while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. This celebration is not just about one gender but about how both genders work together to build a better world.

Women have made significant contributions to society throughout history, but their achievements have often been overlooked or downplayed, often portrayed in many literary works throughout the years. Perhaps, one of the more known works that emphasized this disparity between men and women was John Steinbeck’s The Chrysanthemums and one’s work which is still relevant today.

John Steinbeck's short story "The Chrysanthemums" is a masterful portrayal of the struggle for women's empowerment in early 20th-century America. The story's protagonist, Elisa Allen, is a strong and capable woman who finds herself trapped in a society that denies her agency and power. Through Elisa's experiences, Steinbeck explores the limitations placed on women in this society and suggests that true empowerment can only come through breaking free from those limitations.

Elisa's love for her chrysanthemums is an expression of her creative abilities and a symbol of her yearning for something more than the narrow confines of domestic life. However, her husband Henry sees her as nothing more than a homemaker and does not value her talents or appreciate her desires. This is indicative of the larger societal norms of the time, where women were expected to be submissive and obedient to their husbands, with no opportunities to pursue their interests or ambitions.

When the tinker arrives in town and shows an interest in Elisa's chrysanthemums, she becomes excited at the possibility of engaging with someone who values her talents. However, the tinker ultimately proves to be just another man who sees her only in terms of her gender, and Elisa is left feeling disillusioned and disappointed. This experience highlights the narrow options available to women in a society that values them only for their domestic skills and denies them the chance to participate in the wider world.

However, the experience also opens Elisa's eyes to the possibility of a different kind of life, one where she can pursue her passions and engage with the wider world on her terms. She realizes that true empowerment can only come through breaking free from the limitations placed on her by society and pursuing her ambitions.

In this sense, "The Chrysanthemums" is a story about the struggle for women's empowerment, not just in terms of economic or political power, but also in terms of personal fulfilment and self-expression. Elisa's experience represents the struggles of many women of her time who felt trapped in their narrow domestic roles and yearned for something more. Her eventual realization that true empowerment can only come through breaking free from societal norms and pursuing one's ambitions is a powerful message that still resonates today.

John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" is a powerful story that explores the limitations placed on women and the struggle for women's empowerment, one that is still seen and evident even in this day and age, albeit in subtler forms. Through Elisa's experiences, Steinbeck highlights the narrow options available to women in a society that values them only for their domestic skills and suggests that true empowerment can only come through breaking free from those limitations and pursuing one's passions and interests. The story remains relevant today as women continue to fight for gender equality and the opportunity to pursue their ambitions on their terms.