Odour of Chrysanthemums

The titular olfactory imagery of “Odour of Chrysanthemums” embodies many elements of the story: symbolism, particularly in the chrysanthemums themselves; the theme of The Inevitability of Death and Decay, and the tension between Realism and Romanticism.

The chrysanthemums contain elements of both a Realist and a Romantic approach. The vivid description of their scent and appearance offers a detailed image of their physical reality. However, their symbolism (including birth, death, and marriage) is more typical of a Romantic approach, drawing on a tradition of flowers holding meaning that can be found throughout historic English literature, including Shakespeare. This had been recently formalized in the Victorian era in the widespread use of the language of flowers. However, the chrysanthemums do not fare well in the story—they are wilting as fall progresses; John tears the flowers down and throws them to the floor; and a collier knocks over the vase, spilling them into a mess. In these moments, the harsh reality of the real world, with its decay, destructiveness, and accidents, prevails over untainted Romanticism.

The subject matter of the story is typical of literary Realism and specifically Social Realism, portraying life in a mining community to delve into