In John Steinbeck's short story "The Chrysanthemums" Elisa's fingers destroyed the pests in the garden. One of the symbolic meaning of chrysanthemums is that they represent Elisa’s children. She handles them with care and love as she would children, If she had any. Pests represent natural harm to flowers, so she does her best to protect them: "Her terrier fingers destroy such pests before they can get started.”