The Chrysanthemums The recurring motif of Elisa’s strength represents how Elisa surpasses the feminine stereotype that has been created by society. When Elisa talks to her husband the author writes, “Her eyes sharpened. ‘Maybe I could do it. I’ve a gift with things all right…...”’(Steinbeck 450).When Elisa “sharpened” her eyes, it shows that her strength encourages her to stand up for herself. This shows that she is not part of the usual feminine stereotype of women staying quiet about their opinions,when she states “Maybe I could do it” and gives her opinion instead of refraining from doing so. Later on in the story, when Elisa compliments the tinker’s job the tinker states, ‘“It ain’t the right kind of life for a woman,”’ to which Elisa
