In John Steinbeck's, "The Chrysanthemums," Elisa Allen's collection of strength stems from her one source, her flowers. Her passion and gift with flowers gives her the strength that she possesses. Several times Steinbeck will mention Elisa's strength, and every time, it has to do with her garden. On the other hand, the strength that she lacks originates from every other source in her life but her flowers. One thing remains true, if the chrysanthemums were missing from Elisa's life, more than a beautiful garden would disappear, in fact the whole soul and strength of Elisa would be gone.
             The gift and connection that Elisa has with her plants exist as the source of strength. The impression of Elisa in the garden is one of strength, not weak as the standard woman of this time. Elisa Allen's portrayal of strength exists because of her man like qualities. As Elisa works in the garden, "her face is lean and strong" (1536) she uses "strong fingers" (1537) and her work "over-eager, over- powerful" (1537). These references to physical strength all occur while Elisa works in the garden. They characterize Elisa Allen as a masculine figure. All the energy she has streams into her work on the garden. She feels the most powerful when her planter's hands are at work, "They never make a mistake. You can feel it. When you're like that you can't to anything wrong" (1540). Elisa's confidence of her strength in the garden shows clearly. Elisa's confidence in her strength becomes apparent when Henry speaks to her about growing apples in the orchard, "I could do it too. I've a gift with things, all right." "Stick anything in the ground and make it grow" (1537). Her confidence shows us that she has the power to mold herself into who she is, and make it grow.
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