The Chrysanthemums

I think that the main theme of The Chrysanthemums is limitations as a wife. Elisa has to stay behind when the man around her leave and go about their day to day activities. She talks about how she doesn't go outside of the ranch in which she lives often and says it doesn't bother her. “It must be very nice. I wish women could do such things” (Steinbeck). She clearly wishes that she could go and do the kinds of things that men can do.