Is That a Symbol?

In Is That a Symbol it similarly uses the phrase "sure it is" as a reoccurring and frustrating question. Like in Bartleby the reader becomes so frustrated with "I'd prefer not to". The routine question the author talks about leaves things "hairy". Sure it is and I'd prefer not to are such broad and general answers to what could be a very direct question. It is almost like answering a question with another question, the answer only brings you farther from what was intended or hoped for. Foster argues you should interpret the symbol as as a maximum, not just forcing it to mean something, these broad answers don't have to have an obvious meaning. To interpret the meaning of these literary symbols we must "bring something of ourselves to the encounter."
My personal experience as a reader did match his recommendations of symbolism because as easy as it may be to simply relate two different texts, to find an underlying or deeper meaning to anything you must have depth and understand within yourself. To find another meaning or another reason of creation you must be able to look to yourself for an answer. The reason everyone has different answers and meanings to what a symbol in a passage may be is because every individual has his or her own experience in life, leading them to think one thing or another.