Symbols are often defined as objects or ideas that have a deeper or alternate meaning. In Thomas C. Foster’s short story, Is That a Symbol?, Foster proves that a symbol can come from various living and non-living objects, and these objects are able to represent various arcane messages. Foster consistently references many books, novels, and poems to solidify his argument through his story. There are also numerous objects that the Foster exemplifies throughout this short story, and a few of these include characters, caves, and rivers. Characters are often portrayed as symbols, for they represent more in depth values.

The first symbol shown in Foster’s story is the symbol of the characters. This short story contains many examples of the symbolism provided by characters. First, the author explains the use of the characters as symbols in the allegory by John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Characters such as Christian, Faithful, and Evangelist all have names that symbolize their characteristics. These characters are symbols in their story, and it is shown through their respective names “their names indicate their qualities” (Foster 19). The characters represent symbols in order for the allegory to convey its overall message. They act as symbols that further progress the story and assist in expressing the deeper meaning of the allegory. Also, another instance that living objects are used as symbols occurs as the author references to E.M. Forster’s novel, A Passage to India. The story portrays the characters of Adela Quested as a heroine on a mission. Her last name, Quested, correlates with her adventure into the cave. Therefore, her name acts as a symbol for her future actions throughout her story. Overall, the names and living characters are able to be used as symbols throughout stories. Not only are characters utilized as symbols, but non-living objects such as caves can be used as symbols to represent deeper ideas as well.

Caves can often be symbolizing mysterious or adventurous meanings. The cave described by Foster originates from E.M. Forster’s novel, A Passage to India, and it represents many symbols. The cave is presented as a secretive location. The author describes the cave when saying, “It keeps its secrets.” (Foster 21). This is in reference to the depth of the inside. Caves’ darkness allows for them to keep the insides hidden and mysterious. Caves are also referred to as symbols representing history of the humans as a whole. Thomas C. Foster writes, “the cave, on some level, suggests a connection to the most basic and primitive elements in our nature,” (Foster 19). The caves are illustrative of what the ancestors have done, for they are frequently filled with writings and designs telling stories. Many of the most ancient forms of storytelling and communication were through the writings on cave walls. Caves can also show one’s fears and nightmares. The caves are utilized as a way of confronting one’s fear, as Adela Quested enters the cave “it may represent a breach of the truth or a confrontation with terrors she has denied and can only exorcise by facing them,” (Foster 21). Thus, the caves represent symbols from what they contain. The caves are not the only inanimate objects to be symbols, as rivers are also used as symbols.

Rivers are another commonly used source to convey a deeper message. Numerous examples are given, throughout Foster’s writing, proving the untold representation that rivers provide. Mark Twain creates the river as the central plot line in his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain utilizes the river in his story, “The river is a little bit of everything in the novel,” (Foster 21). The river represents a plethora of themes throughout the novel. Twain uses the river to display both good and bad. The next illustration of rivers having symbolistic quality occurs in Hart Crane’s poem, “The river meanwhile does separate the land on a horizontal axis but connects along a vertical axis, making it possible for people at one end to travel to the other,” (Foster 22). The river symbolizes a greater purpose in Crane’s poem, as it shows the rivers significance to transportation. Because of the river, people are allowed to move north and south at much more rapid speeds. The story refers to the Hudson River, East River, Mississippi River as the connection between the northern and southern parts of the country. Crane alludes to the river’s importance as the essential symbol in his poem. The River Thames is displayed as the prominent river in T.S. Eliot’s poem, The Waste Land. Garbage, trash, and debris are seen floating down the river and washed up on shore. The river shows the destruction and lack of dignity, “it symbolizes things having to do with the corruption of modern life and collapse of Western civilization” (Foster 22). The poem is a clear exemplification of the devastation of the war to the particular area. Also, the aftermath is shown via the disgusting river and its contents. Rivers are used in several different ways to denote symbols. Overall, both living and non-living objects such as characters, caves, and rivers have the ability to be a symbol to various stories.

Thus, living and non-living objects can refer to symbols throughout stories. Characters are able to become symbols through the use of their names and actions. Also, caves contain the power to represent deeper meaning in stories through their unknown depths. Lastly, the rivers are used to display a central significance in many stories. In conclusion, Foster demonstrates that living and non-living objects mutually express the capability to exemplify the qualities of symbols.