In "The Chrysanthemums," the character of Elisa interacts differently with the two men that are present in the story: Henry and the travelling repairman. When Elisa deals with Henry, he is kind, but also patronizing and condescending. This causes Elisa to act in a melancholy, unnatural way. She is clearly dissatisfied with her life.
On the other hand, when she deals with the repair salesman, Elisa is a lot more alive. She becomes flirtatious, poetic and witty. She seems to be more open, and to become more herself. This only highlights how unhappy Elisa is with her regular life and her role of woman and wife.
