Texas as a symbol

[T]here is no physical or geographical unity in Texas. Its unity lies in the mind. And this is not only in Texans. The word "Texas" becomes a symbol to everyone in the world. There's no question that this Texas-of-the-mind fable is often synthetic, sometimes untruthful, and frequently romantic, but that in no way diminishes its strength as a symbol.

John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley in Search of America  (New York: Penguin Books, 1986), p. 233 (orig. published 1962)