Characterization of Ellen in Urban Setting

In a passage from a contemporary novel, a character named Ellen is introduced in a scene where she is observing a bustling city street. The narration describes her as a woman in her mid-thirties, dressed in a simple gray coat, with an air of contemplation that suggests she is deeply absorbed in her thoughts. The language used highlights her introspective nature, focusing on her observations of the people around her. How do the details conveyed in the passage contribute to the reader's understanding of Ellen's character?