In Wallace Stegner's "All the Little Live Things," the author reflects on the symbolism of beards as a form of defiance or rebellion. By likening beards to a gesture of thumbing one's nose at societal norms, Stegner suggests that they can represent a rejection of conventional expectations and a personal statement of identity.

This notion implies that sporting a beard goes beyond mere grooming; it can be a subtle challenge to authority or societal standards. Through this perspective, Stegner invites readers to consider the deeper meanings behind individual choices and the ways in which self-expression can serve as a form of resistance.