How do Ghost's high-tops serve as a symbol in the novel, Ghost?

High-tops are symbolic both of humiliation for Ghost, and are also a test of character. Ghost, when he joins the Defenders, does not have running shoes, and so must run in his high-tops. They foul him up and cause him to crash on the track when they fall off. At home, Ghost cuts the high-tops down to make running easier, but he is made fun of for this in school the next day. This compels him to run out of school, humiliated, and to steal new running shoes from Everything Sports, sorely testing Ghost’s character.