Symbolism for the Reader, Not Only the Writer
"Some symbols do have a relatively limited range of meaning but in general a symbol can't be reduced to standing for only one thing" (Foster 98).
I liked what Foster says here because it allows for a wide variety of meanings for symbols. Nothing in Literature has a definite symbolic meaning, it all depends on what context a symbol is used in and the reader. During high school when we would read a short story, book or poem, some of my classmates would find symbolic meanings that I did not find. On the other hand, I would find symbolism in places that they did not.
I liked what Foster says here because it allows for a wide variety of meanings for symbols. Nothing in Literature has a definite symbolic meaning, it all depends on what context a symbol is used in and the reader. During high school when we would read a short story, book or poem, some of my classmates would find symbolic meanings that I did not find. On the other hand, I would find symbolism in places that they did not.
I chose a quote that came just before that thought, or was somewhere close to that thought, or at least on the same page. I made a similar point in my blog, so I agree with you. Symbols means different things to different people. Anything is up for interpretation.