The Existential Horror of Being a Poster Child: Decoding Toni Morrison’s “It is easy to be a symbol; it is hard to be a person.”

Toni Morrison, the literary titan whose words could make the mundane feel mythic, dropped this gem in her magnificent novel, Song of Solomon: “It is easy to be a symbol; it is hard to be a person.”[1] Now, on the surface, this sounds like profound wisdom. But let’s be honest, in the eternal hustle of modern life, it also sounds like the ultimate excuse for not answering your mother’s calls.

What does this mean, really? Are we all just walking, talking, highly-caffeinated mood boards for other people’s ideologies? Let’s unpack this quote with the seriousness it deserves—which is to say, almost none, because we’re going to have some fun with it.

The Perils of Being a Perfect Placeholder (The “Symbol” Life)

Being a symbol is easy because symbols are lazy. They’re like stock photos for human emotion. You, the Symbol, don’t have to worry about forgetting your reusable grocery bags or deciding what to watch on Netflix. Why? Because you represent something fixed and shiny.

For example, think about your office’s designated “Inspirational Employee of the Month.” That person is a symbol of “Synergy” or “Commitment to Q3 Deliverables.” Do they secretly hate spreadsheets and dream of becoming a professional alpaca shearer? Who cares! They can’t! They are too busy being a laminated representation of corporate values. That’s the sweet, sweet freedom of being a symbol: low personal accountability, high perceived importance.

If you’re searching for a little inspiration on how not to let the symbolism define you, maybe a nice, non-symbolic read will help. Check out this [Toni Morrison Collected Novels Box Set]—it’s a fantastic way to dive into the messy, beautiful reality of her characters.

The Grueling Grind of Genuine Humanity (The “Person” Problem)

Being a person, however, is an absolute nightmare. It involves nuance. It requires remembering where you parked your car and grappling with the historical implications of the car manufacturer’s labor practices.

Being a person means being a walking contradiction. You might preach sustainability while secretly ordering fast fashion online (we’ve all been there, don’t judge!). You might champion mental health awareness while ignoring your own urgent need for a nap. You are subject to bad breath, misplaced keys, sudden urges to eat an entire jar of pickles, and the inescapable need to pay taxes.

In Song of Solomon, characters often struggle between the roles society (or their family) assigns them—the legendary ancestor, the self-made man, the scorned lover—and who they actually are deep down. Milkman Dead, for instance, spends much of the novel trying to be a symbol of detached success before realizing the richness hidden in his complicated, messy personhood and ancestry.[2] That realization? That’s the hard work. It’s the difference between an inspirational quote on a coffee mug and the actual, lukewarm coffee you spilled on your shirt five minutes after reading it.

SEO: Why You Should Stop Trying to Be an Icon and Start Being You

When optimizing for search engines, we look for keywords. Think about it: “Inspirational Person,” “Role Model,” “Icon”—these are all search terms for symbols. They are clean, they are simple, they get clicks! But they don’t tell the story of the 3 AM existential crisis or the triumphant moment you successfully assembled IKEA furniture without crying.

These are the terms that lead to the real literary gold, the kind where characters are as flawed and relatable as, say, that friend who always shows up late but brings amazing snacks. If you’re looking to capture that complex, authentic vibe in your home office décor, why not try something that celebrates beautiful, untamed nature? Consider the [Hand-Carved Wooden Bookends]—they’re not perfectly symmetrical, but they hold up the weighty realities of great literature.

The Takeaway: Embrace the Mess, Ditch the Pedestal

Morrison’s point is a sly wink at the pressure we face to present a curated, symbolic version of ourselves—the perfect parent, the flawless friend, the eternally productive worker. That pedestal is slippery, and frankly, it’s uncomfortable. It’s much more fun (and infinitely more interesting) down on the ground, where the dirt of real life sticks to your shoes.

Being a person means you get to have a secret song, a forgotten history, and the freedom to change your mind about everything tomorrow. It means your journey is about becoming, not being.

So, the next time you feel the urge to polish yourself up for public consumption, remember Milkman, remember the struggle, and maybe just take a break. You deserve a moment of true, un-symbolic downtime. Perhaps this [Cozy Oversized Reading Blanket] will help facilitate that necessary escape from symbolic obligations.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe align with the spirit of wrestling with complex human truths (or just making life comfier).