Final answer:
Elena felt a sense of responsibility mixed with sadness when confronted with the neglected flowers, indicating a connection between the state of nature and personal emotions in literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elena experienced a deep sense of obligation and responsibility when she noticed the neglect of the flowers, as evidenced by the phrase "I had to resist…". This conveys her desire to tend to the flowers, coupled with an emotion of sadness or possibly frustration at their state.
Literary elements present in the excerpts provided, such as the vivid descriptions of nature and the exploration of human emotions, indicate that the various characters find symbolism and emotional value in the state of the flowers and gardens. These gardens act as mirrors to their inner feelings, with neglected flowers or the absence of red roses illustrating personal longings, loss, or the transitory nature of life and happiness.