In “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, Elisa changes from the beginning of the story to the end. Before Elisa meets the man in the wagon she acts like every other woman during the 1930s. She gardens, helps and supports her husband, and stays at home like a woman is supposed to do. The tinker in the wagon has a great impact on her. Elisa wishes that she could have a job like his because she is very smart and adventurous. The author gives an example of Elisa changing when the tinker says to her, “‘It ain’t the right kind of life for a woman.’” Her response was, “‘How can you know? How can you tell?’” Elisa thinks that he is wrong and trys to prove herself as equal. This means that Elisa realizes the inequality between men and women. Steinbeck