Paul and Chrysanthemums

Paul, in Willa Cather's "Paul's Case" wants to run away from society because he feels that he is not accepted because he is homosexual, so he goes to New York. Although he is successful in getting away from society, he is not successful overall because he commits suicide. Cather is trying to portray her own struggles of not being fully accepted into society because of her sexuality. Elisa in John Steinback's "Chrysanthemums" is successful with her gardening and housework, but when the tinker comes and asks for work and pretends to be interested in her chrysanthemums, he tricks her and gets her excited. All he really wants though is the pan and money, so I would not call Elisa successful because she gets tricked.