This chapter explained that words are not intrinsically connected to what they represent. There is no real reason to call what we read books or our pet a dog aside from the fact that those who started the language agreed it was acceptable. The symbols or words we use have no true connection to what they are trying to represent and as such their meaning can change. Fifty years ago, the word gay referred to being lighthearted. Today, gay is commonly used in regards to homosexuality. It’s almost funny how the meaning of certain words can change given time or having them placed in different societies. We like to think the things we say are constant but in reality, a profound statement said now could seem like nothing more than gibberish to someone who heard it hundreds of years from now. I guess words aren’t quite as powerful as we would like to think they are. In truth, the power comes from the meaning behind them.
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