Metaphors

Elisa's terrier fingers:

"Her terrier fingers destroyed such pests before they could get started" (338)

Here, a metaphor is being used to compare Elisa's fingers to terriers. This creates a distinct, vivid image of how Elisa must garden, her fingers rooting out pests aggressively and thoroughly, not letting a single one go undisturbed. It also helps contribute to the image Steinbeck paints of Elisa as being "over-powerful" and excessively energetic.

A forest of sprouts:

"She took off a glove and put her strong fingers down into the forest of new green chrysanthemum sprouts that were growing around the old roots" (338)

The metaphor of the chrysanthemum sprouts coming up as a forest helps paint a clear picture of the abundance the sprouts must be growing in. This helps emphasize Elisa's obvious skill with the flowers.