Can't understand the meanings

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Hi, Merry Christmas!

I've just read the following sentences from a book and can't understand what it means; hope somebody can explain. Thanks.

(1). Gifts that are admired in the abstract often seems less welcome in person.

(2). He is, after all, as much of a symbol as an objective force, both for the U.S. and probably much of the population.

GPY · Accepted Answer

red olive 901(1). Gifts that are admired in the abstract often seem less welcome in person.

More context (which I found online) is necessary to understand this. "gifts" refers to a child's exceptional intellectual abilities. When these gifts are "in person", it means that they are embodied in a real child, contrasted with gifts that are imagined in the abstract.

The phrase "in person" is usually used to mean that a person is physically present. For example, "You must present your documents in person" (as opposed to e.g. sending them by post).

red olive 901(2). He is, after all, as much of a symbol as an objective force, both for the U.S. and probably much of the population.

That he is a "symbol" rather than "an objective force" means that he represents a certain idea, cause etc. in people's minds, rather than actually having power to directly perform actions.

Can't understand the meanings

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