Her interest in this adventure of his is further exemplified as she exclaims, "it must be nice" (452) to live that kind of life. She then states, " I wish women could do such things," (452) fooling herself into thinking it is not a woman's place to have such adventures. These truths make it obvious that Elisa is wishing for more than life is presently giving her, but she cannot break free from the stereotype society has given her.
Elisa's initial appearance in the story is very manly, yet she still allows a feminine side to be noticed. "Her figure looked blocked and heavy in her gardening costume" (448). She wore " a man's black hat clod-hopper shoes and heavy leather gloves ."(448). She was also wearing " a figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron"(448). This image represents her repression of her own sexuality, and it is carried over into her relationship with her husband, Henry. Elisa feels that Henry does not recognize or appreciate her femininity, and this feeling causes her to be antagonistic towards him. The meeting with tinker revives her feelings of femininity. Her resistance to his mundane matters disappears after the tinker romantically describes the chrysanthemums as a "quick puff of colored smoke" (450). By admiring the chrysanthemums, he figuratively admires her. The chrysanthemums symbolize her sexuality, and she "[tears] off the battered hat and [shakes] out her dark pretty hair"(451). With a few well-placed words from the tinker, her masculine image has been replaced with a feminine one. The tinker is a catalyst in Elisa's life. By giving him the red flowerpot with the chrysanthemums, she gives him the symbol of her inner-self. She begins to feel hope for herself. She sees a new beginning for her marriage.
After the tinker leaves, Elisa finally appears content with her sexuality. As she gets ready for her outing with Henry, Elisa shows complete femininity.