When I was in high school, an author was coming for a book talk. In preparation we read some of her work. Every time we read our teacher would dissect the symbolism and metaphors. Here favorite story was one that had a a faimly with a broken clock in their living room. She would spend entire classes talking about the broken clock how since it was in the living room it represented the family being frozen in time and unable to move on with their lives after a tragic event.

When it came time for the book talk, our teacher was so excited. After the author talked for a bit, it came time for the questions and answers and our teacher jumped to asked the first question. She mentioned the clock and asked, "how did you think of such powerful and moving symbolism?"

The author shrugged and said "symbolism? I just thought it sounded nice."