“When it comes to life, the main thing is whether you take things for granted or whether you take them with gratitude. » This quote from GK Chesterson, representing people's struggle to show future generations what life was like by preserving the classics. This is what the phonograph shows in “The Portable Phonograph” by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. "The Portable Phonograph" has many examples of symbolism, including the portable phonograph, the needle, the records, the lead pipe, the books, and the set elements including the meadow, the cell, and the cell block, as well as the bands of black clouds. The first tangible and symbolic objects in the story are the phonograph, needles, and records, which symbolize the characters' desire to cling to civilization. The phonograph symbolizes the desires of the characters when the narrator states: “He returned and tenderly placed on the crowded floor, where the firelight could fall on it, an old portable phonograph in a black case. He smoothed the top with his hand, then opened it. (Clark 141) This quote expresses the main character's desire to maintain civilization by trying to preserve the phonograph for future generations to use. The fact that the main character, also known as the Host and the Old Man, preserves the phonograph, symbolizes that he wants to keep this phonograph safe, so that future generations can see what life was like for him and his generation. Next, the needles symbolize the character's desire to cling to civilization. When the narrator states: “'I use thorns for needles,' he says. “But tonight, because we have a musician among us.” . . “I will use a steel needle. There are only three left. . . . " Oh ! no, cried the young man, as if he were hurt. “The thorns will do... middle of paper ... it's almost like a time capsule. It contains objects that are important to one generation and that future generations will be able to see, just as the old man does with the books and the portable phonograph. In the deep hole where the old man keeps his things, as shown on page 143. Setting is a very important aspect of the symbolism of "The Portable Phonograph." The setting elements, including the cell, the bands of black clouds, and the hole in the cell wall, as well as the tangible objects, including the portable phonograph, books, lead pipe, records, needle, are all examples of symbolism in “The Portable Phonograph.” Civilization in this short story is collapsing and must be preserved for future generations to see and use. GK Chesterson once said: “When it comes to life, it is essential for us not to take things for granted, but to take them with gratitude..”