EC2 8-25
Characters and their descriptions
Elisa/Eliza Allen (main focus of discussion)
Descriptions drawn from class notes and quotes: described as lean and strong; eyes clear as water; black hair; mature; passionate about gardening and flowers (especially chrysanthemums); enjoys flowers but is also practical and physically capable.
Remains a focal point for gender-role tension in the story: desires independence, travel, and a life beyond domestic norms.
Items she wears that signal gender expectations and defiance: man’s hat, corduroy, clodhopper shoes, gloves, and an apron; these details signal a blend of masculine practicality and female domestic roles.
What she wants (unfulfilled desires): a career or some form of independence; travel and adventure; something new beyond the farm and house. This is hinted at in her dialogue with the traveling salesman and in moments of male-gatekeeping about women’s roles.
Key quote references:
"Lean and strong" (Eliza) on page . This description anchors her physical and perhaps moral strength. Citation rules discussed below.
Other descriptors discussed: "eyes clear as water"; "black hair"; notes about chrysanthemums and her affinity for flowers.
The Traveling Salesman / The Tinker (antagonistic/complex male figure)
Referred to by multiple names: the Salesman, the Tinker. Used interchangeably in the discussion to emphasize his role as a salesman and as a disruptive force in Elisa’s world.
His action around the chrysanthemums reveals a lack of genuine sentiment and a commercial, manipulative impulse (he sells flowers but discards them when not useful for a sale).
Key interaction about chrysanthemums: on page , they discuss what the plants are and their significance. The salesman’s view contrasts with Elisa’s attachment to them.
Other minor characters
There are mentions of a few other unnamed figures, but none of substantive impact on the plot discussion beyond your focus on Elisa and the Salesman.
Quotes, citations, and quotation practices
In-text citation practice (to be used in essays):
Quote must include author’s last name and page number, placed such that the citation appears before the sentence’s terminal punctuation. For example:
"Eliza is called lean and strong" (Steinbeck ). Note: the period follows the citation according to the instructor’s rule.
Short quotes are preferred (do not quote large blocks; aim for a sentence or less).
Every quote must be introduced and discussed; failing to discuss a quote after presenting it is a dropped quote (the instructor’s mic-analogy): you must explain why the quote matters.
After introducing a quote, you must discuss its connotations, implications, and how it connects to themes (especially gender roles and autonomy in this story).
Example quotes from the transcript and page references:
Elisa’s description: "Lean and strong". Steinbeck .
Elisa’s eyes: "eyes clear as water"; hair color noted as "Black hair" (discussed together; page not specified in the transcript for these exact lines, but connected to the Eliza description around ).
Conversation about the chrysanthemums (page ):
"What them plants?" — spoken by the salesman.
Elisa responds: "Chrysanthemums, giant whites and yellows. I raise them every year bigger than every around here." (paraphrase/quote cluster from discussion; exact line appears around ).
Further detail: the chrysanthemums "smell kind of nasty till you get used to them"; she counters: "It's a good bitter smell."; discussion of "10 inch blooms this past year."
The image of the chrysanthemum as symbol is analyzed via phrases like: the flower as described metaphorically (e.g., "a quick puff of colored smoke" in the salesman’s description, contrasted with Elisa’s attachment).
On page , Elisa asks the traveling salesman about travel: "you sleep right in the wagon?"; his retort and gender-role critique: "It ain't the right kind of life for a woman."
Practices highlighted in class (to apply in writing):
Always cite quotes with author and page as described; place citation before punctuation; the