Answer:
In this story written by Steinbeck, we are presented with the main character, Elisa, who is married and works in his husband´s farm. She meets a traveler who awakens in the reader the connection between the chrysanthemums and Elisa. Just like Elisa, these flowers are at the same time strong and beautiful, but also delicate, at once virile and feminine, just like Elisa. The association can be said to challenge normalized gender roles, especially those that are supposed to belong to women.