“Is that a symbol? Sure, why not?” (17) Thomas C. Foster states at the beginning of writing, Is That a Symbol? Foster writes his story explaining not only what a symbol is, but practicing our skill on individual reading and encouraging us to state arguments including personal interpretations. To figure out what symbols might mean, we can use tools such as questions, experience and preexisting knowledge. There are also distinct symbols that have limited meanings. No matter what people perceive in different contexts. Foster says, “The more you exercise the symbolic imagination, the better and quicker it works” (23). Foster proved this in his text convincing the reader, myself, to stress on the fact that symbolic imagination is in our everyday lives. Symbolic meaning can differ anywhere from similar beliefs to individual interpretations, characteristics of symbolic action will play a role in our everyday lives. 

Meaning is subjective, each individual has the opportunity in life to establish what something means, whether it is good or bad, and how it influences their lives. Symbols take part in our everyday lives whether they involve a range of meanings and interpretations. Each individual is lead to think whatever they perceive about symbols, surrounds us in our everyday lives. Foster states, “I have a pretty strong grasp of what they mean- for me. The authority I bring to these readings is that of my own background and experience” (22). Meaning is influenced by the way we are raised, our family and friends, and the environment in which we live. We are surrounded everyday by situations and objects that have meaning, the meaning of one thing can differ between other interpretations. For example, the sign of peace. In my eyes, the definition of peace is the sense of freedom and equality. It could mean thousands of other things to other people. Foster stresses, “So some symbols do have a relatively limited range of meanings, but in general a symbol cannot be reduced to standing for only one thing” (18). Symbols have a bigger meaning than just a decoration or a signal in our everyday lives that affect each of us different. The people we surround ourselves with every day may not have the same interpretations of most symbolic features, which proves my main point. That is what shapes our society today, the different opinions and beliefs all individuals have. 

There are symbols that work straightforwardly, some symbols are meant to have one representation to individuals. We look around us every day and the symbols around us all have meaning. For example, a left arrow means proceeds left while a right arrow means proceeds right. It doesn't get much more complex than that. As a whole population, there are symbols that shape how we live which are not arguable. Another example that comes to my mind is a stop light. Green means go, yellow means slow down, and red means stop. Foster mentions, “Here’s the problem with symbols: people expect them to mean something” (18). This is one of the few sentences I disagree with in this passage. No matter what, a symbol has to mean something to a population. Without symbols directing us in our everyday lives it would be a free for all with no direction or guidance in our lives with no similarity between others or our individual interpretations. 

Symbolic action can also be found as a target. Foster voices, “The problem of symbolic meaning is further compounded when we look at a number of writers emphasizing various, distinct elements for a given symbol” (21). The historical value of symbols is recognized every day in our country. The Pentagon and the World Trade Center exemplify powerful symbols in our country that should be recognized. This is a similar belief to all Americans which proves my main point, there are pieces in our society that we all have homogeneous interpretations about. The Pentagon and World Trade Center show visions, goals for the humans involved, and power which is why they were such big targets against our country. Power after both the Pentagon and the World Trade Center were hit, our nation quickly shattered as a whole. These symbols were targeted by terrorists against our nation. As scary as it may sound, symbols could be a threat in our society today. Being that our American Flag is a threat to other countries, the pride and power the flag holds over the United States is what represents our nation as a whole. The flag represents a threatening remark to our allies.  

In conclusion, symbols can be dictated by each individual's priorities in their lives. One of Foster's last statements for the readers is, “The problem with symbols is that many readers expect them to be objects and images rather than events or actions. Action can also be symbolic” (23). This quote exemplifies the limitless possibilities in which symbols can be interpreted as to anyone and anything. Symbolic meaning can differ anywhere from similar beliefs to individual interpretations. Characteristics of symbolic action will play a role in our everyday lives. As I explained in my writing, symbolism is in our everyday lives representing good and bad signs. Without these guides in our lives there would be no direction for our society, whatever way these symbols could be interpreted by one.  
