Great literature often makes explicit references to nature.  The beauty of mother earth – whether tamed or wild – can make great settings for literature, and when done right, can really assist the author in carrying the reader to an imaginary place where his novel takes place.

Of course, sometimes nature is not just a setting for a story, but can be central to the plot itself. An example of this is the story “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, in his “The Long Valley” collection.

In this story, the hero Elisa enjoys the art of gardening.  The plot revolves around her love for Chrysanthemums, and how she falls for a man who admires her skill with the flowers.  Feeling strong emotions for this apparently kindred spirit, she gives him some cuttings to care for.

Later in the story, she discovers this man – after leaving her presence – has discarded the cuttings.  The supposed kindred spirit was just craftily manipulating her emotions with his fake interest in her passion.

This touching story illustrates how nature can make a real impact on people.  It also illuminates why so many of us are attracted to gardening.  Working the soil with our hands is seemingly almost an instinct for many of us.

There are many other examples of literature and gardening interacting.  Many of the classic novels of English literature feature garden scenes.  They often serve as places women gather for gossip, or couples meet secretly for rendezvouses.  It is hard to imagine books like Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre without the remote beauty of the moorlands as a backdrop.

No matter whether it is cultivating a rich vegetable garden, growing orchids, or – as in the Steinbeck story – growing Chrysanthemums there is a place inside us that is easily touched by the joys of working with nature.