How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
Her figure was blocked and heavy in her gardening costume, a man's black hat pulled low down over her eyes, clodhopper shoes, a figured print dress almost completely covered by a big corduroy apron. (5)
Here's our first peek at Elisa, and she's not exactly a girly girl. Right off the bat, we know she's a character who will challenge the traditional ideas of femininity.
Quote #2
Her face was eager and mature and handsome; even her work with the chrysanthemums was over-eager, over-powerful. (6)
Note Steinbeck's word choice here. Handsome – not a word we usually see describing a woman. Why call her handsome? Why not pretty or beautiful?
Quote #3
"I wish you'd work out in the orchard and raise some apples that big."
Her eyes sharpened. "Maybe I could do it, too. I've a gift with things all right." […]
"Well it sure works with flowers," he said. (12-14)
Was Henry serious about letting her work in the orchard? Do you think Elisa would do it? It's interesting to think about this discussion in comparison to the next quote, where a similar dynamic resurfaces.
Quote #4
Henry put on his joking tone. "There's fights tonight. How'd you like to go to the fights?"
"Oh, no," she said breathlessly. "No, I wouldn't like fights." (20-21)
If Henry was joking here, does that mean he was definitely joking when he suggested Elisa help him out in the orchard? And really, what's so funny about a woman going to a fight?
Quote #5
She touched under the edge of her man's hat, searching for fugitive hairs. (41)
Could it be? Is Elisa a little nervous around the tinker? She's definitely not looking her best, and here we see her self-consciously fixing her hair – a classically feminine gesture.
Quote #6
She tore off the battered hat and shook out her dark pretty hair. (63)
We might consider this an escalation of the gesture in the previous quote. Instead of fixing her hair, she's shaking it loose. That's flirting 101.
Quote #7
"It ain't the right kind of a life for a woman." (83)
Well gee, tinker, what's that supposed to mean? That the life she currently lives is the right kind of life for a woman? Frankly, it doesn't seem so great to us.
Quote #8
"You might be surprised to have a rival some time […] I could show you what a woman might do." (88)
Get it, girl! We like this sassy side of Elisa. But is she serious? Do you think she would ever really consider hitting the road to become a tinkeress?
Quote #9
She put on her newest underclothing and her nicest stockings and the dress which was the symbol of her prettiness. She worked carefully on her hair, penciled her eyebrows and rouged her lips. (94)
Remember the Elisa we met in paragraph 4? This hardly seems like the same lady at all. This Elisa is feminine, pretty, and polished.
Quote #10
"Do any women ever go to the fights?" She asked
"Oh, sure, some. […] I don't think you'd like it, but I'll take you if you really want to go."
[…]
"Oh, no. No. I don't want to go. I'm sure I don't." (120-123)
Now this is interesting. What was once a joke to Henry becomes a real possibility to Elisa. She seems curious about the fights. So why doesn't she want to go? Would she be willing if just as many women went as men?