On Longing by Susan Stewart Response

"The souvenir is used most often to evoke a voluntary memory of childhood."

When we are adults I think that most people try really hard to hold on to their childhood. When we are kids everything is so magical, exciting and we are full of wonder. As we grow up we lose this sense of wonder and belief in magic.As a way to hold on to our childhoods we find something tangible that we can hold that will allow us to remember. Many keep their baby blankets and their favorite stuff animal.

"To have a souvenir of the exotic is to posess both both a specimen and a trophy."

Almost everyone who goes on vacation brings back souvenirs of the place the go to. People do this to have a tangible object to remind them of the trip. People also use them to show other people and to share with them their experience. The souvenirs can be used to prove to others that they have been to a specific place.