Is Elisa a victim? If so, of whom and why?

Elisa Allen, the story's protagonist, is described as lean and strong. She and her husband have no children, no pets, no near neighbors, and Henry (her husband) is busy doing chores on the ranch throughout the day.

Elisa seems satisfied with her life, but when the traveling tinker comes along and talks about his wandering habits, she begins to think about how limited her life is and longs for adventure. The idea that her chrysanthemums will be shared with a stranger who will appreciate them gratifies her, makes her think that in a small way she is part of a larger world. When the man betrays her by throwing away the chrysanthemums, he makes it clear that her world extends only as far as the boundaries of the ranch.

All things considered, we can infer that Elisa is a victim of her circumstances, as well as a target for the traveling tinker. She is also a victim of her own innocence and unworldliness. To her the flowers are precious, but to others who can have them any time they way them, they are nothing. She doesn't know this and had no way of knowing this.