The varsity jacket
The varsity jacket is a symbol of success. Sung Kim is the only student with a varsity jacket, the highest prize for winning the Quiz Bowl competition. Every participant in the Quiz Bowl competition looks forward to winning a varsity jacket because that is the actualization point. Those who have won the varsity Jacket do everything to maintain their prize.
The quiz bowl
The Quiz bowl symbolizes the intelligence quotient (IQ) of students. In the novel, only Sung Kim has won a varsity jacket because he has demonstrated exceptional talent in answering a wide range of questions in the Quiz Bowl competition. Therefore, the Quiz Bowl represents uniqueness in academic prowess.
The symbolism of inspiration
Mr. Philip, a physics teacher who believes nothing is impossible when one wants to succeed, symbolizes inspiration in the novel. The narrator draws his confidence and motivation from the physics teacher. For the narrator to win his Quiz Bowl competitions, his teacher encourages him to practice the technical questions in physics. Due to Mr. Philips' dedication, his team wins the Indianapolis competition.
