diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b22538469..cf2e17bd7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ wiki][apps]!
 [apps]: https://github.com/jnunemaker/twitter/wiki/apps
 
 ## What's new in version 3?
+### Hashes
+All returned hashes now use symbols as keys instead of strings.
+
 ### Methods
 The following methods now accept multiple users or ids as arguments and return
 arrays:
@@ -57,18 +60,18 @@ The `Twitter::Client#direct_messages` method has been renamed to
 
 The `Twitter::Client#profile_image` method has been removed.
 
-Additionally, the `Twitter::Client#follow` method now checks to make sure the
-user isn't already being followed. If you don't wish to perform that check
-(which does require an extra HTTP request), you can use the new
-`Twitter::Client#follow!` method instead. **Note**: This may re-send an email
-notification to the user, even if they are already being followed.
-
 The `Twitter::Client#search` now returns a `Twitter::SearchResult` object,
 which contains metadata and a results array. In the previous major version,
 this method returned an array of `Twitter::Status` objects, which is now
 accessible by sending the `results` message to a `Twitter::SearchResults`
 object.
 
+Additionally, the `Twitter::Client#follow` method now checks to make sure the
+user isn't already being followed. If you don't wish to perform that check
+(which does require an extra HTTP request), you can use the new
+`Twitter::Client#follow!` method instead. **Note**: This may re-send an email
+notification to the user, even if they are already being followed.
+
 ##### Version 2
     Twitter::Client.search("query").map(&:full_text)
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/favorite.rb b/lib/twitter/action/favorite.rb
index bd3a2cb49..783711cf8 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/favorite.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/favorite.rb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ class Favorite < Twitter::Action::Status
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::Status>]
       def targets
-        @targets = Array(@attrs['targets']).map do |status|
+        @targets = Array(@attrs[:targets]).map do |status|
           Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/follow.rb b/lib/twitter/action/follow.rb
index c6bdd084d..9c9e837f7 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/follow.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/follow.rb
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class Follow < Twitter::Base
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def sources
-        @sources = Array(@attrs['sources']).map do |user|
+        @sources = Array(@attrs[:sources]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def sources
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def targets
-        @targets = Array(@attrs['targets']).map do |user|
+        @targets = Array(@attrs[:targets]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/list_member_added.rb b/lib/twitter/action/list_member_added.rb
index 9a6178809..83b745770 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/list_member_added.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/list_member_added.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class ListMemberAdded < Twitter::Base
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def sources
-        @sources = Array(@attrs['sources']).map do |user|
+        @sources = Array(@attrs[:sources]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def sources
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::List>]
       def target_objects
-        @target_objects = Array(@attrs['target_objects']).map do |list|
+        @target_objects = Array(@attrs[:target_objects]).map do |list|
           Twitter::List.fetch_or_new(list)
         end
       end
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def target_objects
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def targets
-        @targets = Array(@attrs['targets']).map do |user|
+        @targets = Array(@attrs[:targets]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/mention.rb b/lib/twitter/action/mention.rb
index 9cb299250..4214eb559 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/mention.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/mention.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class Mention < Twitter::Base
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def sources
-        @sources = Array(@attrs['sources']).map do |user|
+        @sources = Array(@attrs[:sources]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def source
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::Status>]
       def target_objects
-        @target_objects = Array(@attrs['target_objects']).map do |status|
+        @target_objects = Array(@attrs[:target_objects]).map do |status|
           Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
         end
       end
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def target_objects
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def targets
-        @targets = Array(@attrs['targets']).map do |user|
+        @targets = Array(@attrs[:targets]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/reply.rb b/lib/twitter/action/reply.rb
index 4857032ef..920c5f3aa 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/reply.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/reply.rb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class Reply < Twitter::Action::Status
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::Status>]
       def target_objects
-        @target_objects = Array(@attrs['target_objects']).map do |status|
+        @target_objects = Array(@attrs[:target_objects]).map do |status|
           Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
         end
       end
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def target_objects
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::Status>]
       def targets
-        @targets = Array(@attrs['targets']).map do |status|
+        @targets = Array(@attrs[:targets]).map do |status|
           Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/retweet.rb b/lib/twitter/action/retweet.rb
index 00f26f4de..a11e9338a 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/retweet.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/retweet.rb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class Retweet < Twitter::Action::Status
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::Status>]
       def target_objects
-        @target_objects = Array(@attrs['target_objects']).map do |status|
+        @target_objects = Array(@attrs[:target_objects]).map do |status|
           Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
         end
       end
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def target_objects
       #
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def targets
-        @targets = Array(@attrs['targets']).map do |user|
+        @targets = Array(@attrs[:targets]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action/status.rb b/lib/twitter/action/status.rb
index bcf3d3940..c0c5875ca 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action/status.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action/status.rb
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class Status < Twitter::Base
 
       # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
       def sources
-        @sources = Array(@attrs['sources']).map do |user|
+        @sources = Array(@attrs[:sources]).map do |user|
           Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/action_factory.rb b/lib/twitter/action_factory.rb
index b8d25e603..c00deeeca 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/action_factory.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/action_factory.rb
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ class ActionFactory
     # Instantiates a new action object
     #
     # @param attrs [Hash]
-    # @raise [ArgumentError] Error raised when supplied argument is missing an 'action' key.
+    # @raise [ArgumentError] Error raised when supplied argument is missing an :action key.
     # @return [Twitter::Action::Favorite, Twitter::Action::Follow, Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded, Twitter::Action::Mention, Twitter::Action::Reply, Twitter::Action::Retweet]
     def self.new(attrs={})
-      if type = attrs.delete('action')
+      if type = attrs.delete(:action)
         Twitter::Action.const_get(camelize(type).to_sym).fetch_or_new(attrs)
       else
-        raise ArgumentError, "argument must have an 'action' key"
+        raise ArgumentError, "argument must have an :action key"
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/base.rb b/lib/twitter/base.rb
index cc5597bc3..b1a632bd4 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/base.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/base.rb
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def self.attr_reader(*attrs)
       attrs.each do |attribute|
         class_eval do
           define_method attribute do
-            @attrs[attribute.to_s]
+            @attrs[attribute.to_sym]
           end
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/client.rb b/lib/twitter/client.rb
index f488b01eb..f38d4ce1e 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/client.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/client.rb
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def update_profile(options={})
     # @option options [Boolean] :tile Whether or not to tile the background image. If set to true the background image will be displayed tiled. The image will not be tiled otherwise.
     # @example Update the authenticating user's profile background image
     #   Twitter.update_profile_background_image(File.new("we_concept_bg2.png"))
-    #   Twitter.update_profile_background_image('io' => StringIO.new(pic), 'type' => 'jpg')
+    #   Twitter.update_profile_background_image(:io => StringIO.new(pic), :type => 'jpg')
     def update_profile_background_image(image, options={})
       response = post("/1/account/update_profile_background_image.json", options.merge(:image => image))
       Twitter::User.from_response(response)
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ def update_profile_colors(options={})
     # @param options [Hash] A customizable set of options.
     # @example Update the authenticating user's profile image
     #   Twitter.update_profile_image(File.new("me.jpeg"))
-    #   Twitter.update_profile_image('io' => StringIO.new(pic), 'type' => 'jpg')
+    #   Twitter.update_profile_image(:io => StringIO.new(pic), :type => 'jpg')
     def update_profile_image(image, options={})
       response = post("/1/account/update_profile_image.json", options.merge(:image => image))
       Twitter::User.from_response(response)
@@ -938,7 +938,7 @@ def languages(options={})
     # @example Return {https://twitter.com/privacy Twitter's Privacy Policy}
     #   Twitter.privacy
     def privacy(options={})
-      get("/1/legal/privacy.json", options)[:body]['privacy']
+      get("/1/legal/privacy.json", options)[:body][:privacy]
     end
 
     # Returns {https://twitter.com/tos Twitter's Terms of Service}
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ def privacy(options={})
     # @example Return {https://twitter.com/tos Twitter's Terms of Service}
     #   Twitter.tos
     def tos(options={})
-      get("/1/legal/tos.json", options)[:body]['tos']
+      get("/1/legal/tos.json", options)[:body][:tos]
     end
 
     # Returns all lists the authenticating or specified user subscribes to, including their own
@@ -1598,7 +1598,7 @@ def list(*args)
     #   Twitter.local_trends(2487956)
     def local_trends(woeid=1, options={})
       response = get("/1/trends/#{woeid}.json", options)
-      response[:body].first['trends'].map do |trend|
+      response[:body].first[:trends].map do |trend|
         Twitter::Trend.fetch_or_new(trend)
       end
     end
@@ -1685,7 +1685,7 @@ def disable_notifications(*args)
     #   Twitter.places_nearby(:ip => "74.125.19.104")
     def places_nearby(options={})
       response = get("/1/geo/search.json", options)
-      response[:body]['result']['places'].map do |place|
+      response[:body][:result][:places].map do |place|
         Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(place)
       end
     end
@@ -1708,7 +1708,7 @@ def places_nearby(options={})
     #   Twitter.places_similar(:lat => "37.7821120598956", :long => "-122.400612831116", :name => "Twitter HQ")
     def places_similar(options={})
       response = get("/1/geo/similar_places.json", options)
-      response[:body]['result']['places'].map do |place|
+      response[:body][:result][:places].map do |place|
         Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(place)
       end
     end
@@ -1730,7 +1730,7 @@ def places_similar(options={})
     #   Twitter.reverse_geocode(:lat => "37.7821120598956", :long => "-122.400612831116")
     def reverse_geocode(options={})
       response = get("/1/geo/reverse_geocode.json", options)
-      response[:body]['result']['places'].map do |place|
+      response[:body][:result][:places].map do |place|
         Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(place)
       end
     end
@@ -1907,7 +1907,7 @@ def search(q, options={})
     #   Twitter.phoenix_search('twitter')
     def phoenix_search(q, options={})
       response = get("/phoenix_search.phoenix", options.merge(:q => q))
-      response[:body]['statuses'].map do |status|
+      response[:body][:statuses].map do |status|
         Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
       end
     end
@@ -2226,7 +2226,7 @@ def network_timeline(options={})
     def trends_daily(date=Date.today, options={})
       response = get("/1/trends/daily.json", options.merge(:date => date.strftime('%Y-%m-%d')))
       trends = {}
-      response[:body]['trends'].each do |key, value|
+      response[:body][:trends].each do |key, value|
         trends[key] = []
         value.each do |trend|
           trends[key] << Twitter::Trend.fetch_or_new(trend)
@@ -2249,7 +2249,7 @@ def trends_daily(date=Date.today, options={})
     def trends_weekly(date=Date.today, options={})
       response = get("/1/trends/weekly.json", options.merge(:date => date.strftime('%Y-%m-%d')))
       trends = {}
-      response[:body]['trends'].each do |key, value|
+      response[:body][:trends].each do |key, value|
         trends[key] = []
         value.each do |trend|
           trends[key] << Twitter::Trend.fetch_or_new(trend)
@@ -2358,7 +2358,7 @@ def statuses(*args)
     #   Twitter.status_activity(25938088801)
     def status_activity(id, options={})
       response = get("/i/statuses/#{id}/activity/summary.json", options)
-      response[:body].merge!('id' => id) if response[:body]
+      response[:body].merge!(:id => id) if response[:body]
       Twitter::Status.from_response(response)
     end
 
@@ -2477,8 +2477,8 @@ def retweet(*args)
       args.flatten.threaded_map do |id|
         response = post("/1/statuses/retweet/#{id}.json", options)
         retweeted_status = response.dup
-        retweeted_status[:body] = response[:body].delete('retweeted_status')
-        retweeted_status[:body]['retweeted_status'] = response[:body]
+        retweeted_status[:body] = response[:body].delete(:retweeted_status)
+        retweeted_status[:body][:retweeted_status] = response[:body]
         Twitter::Status.from_response(retweeted_status)
       end
     end
@@ -2525,7 +2525,7 @@ def update(status, options={})
     # @option options [Boolean, String, Integer] :trim_user Each tweet returned in a timeline will include a user object with only the author's numerical ID when set to true, 't' or 1.
     # @example Update the authenticating user's status
     #   Twitter.update_with_media("I'm tweeting with @gem!", File.new('my_awesome_pic.jpeg'))
-    #   Twitter.update_with_media("I'm tweeting with @gem!", {'io' => StringIO.new(pic), 'type' => 'jpg'})
+    #   Twitter.update_with_media("I'm tweeting with @gem!", {:io => StringIO.new(pic), :type => 'jpg'})
     def update_with_media(status, media, options={})
       response = post("/1/statuses/update_with_media.json", options.merge('media[]' => media, 'status' => status), :endpoint => media_endpoint)
       Twitter::Status.from_response(response)
@@ -2713,7 +2713,7 @@ def recommendations(*args)
       response = get("/1/users/recommendations.json", options)
       Twitter::RateLimit.instance.update(response[:response_headers])
       response[:body].map do |recommendation|
-        Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(recommendation['user'])
+        Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(recommendation[:user])
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/configuration.rb b/lib/twitter/configuration.rb
index a9eef97fd..466f95147 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/configuration.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class Configuration < Twitter::Base
     #
     # @return [Array<Twitter::Size>]
     def photo_sizes
-      @photo_sizes ||= Array(@attrs['photo_sizes']).inject({}) do |object, (key, value)|
+      @photo_sizes ||= Array(@attrs[:photo_sizes]).inject({}) do |object, (key, value)|
         object[key] = Twitter::Size.fetch_or_new(value)
         object
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/creatable.rb b/lib/twitter/creatable.rb
index 234ae0d88..2dcd38f13 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/creatable.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/creatable.rb
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ module Creatable
     #
     # @return [Time]
     def created_at
-      @created_at ||= Time.parse(@attrs['created_at']) unless @attrs['created_at'].nil?
+      @created_at ||= Time.parse(@attrs[:created_at]) unless @attrs[:created_at].nil?
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/cursor.rb b/lib/twitter/cursor.rb
index 5aa6dc00d..8cec6d7e1 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/cursor.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/cursor.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class Cursor
     # @params method [String, Symbol] The name of the method to return the collection
     # @params klass [Class] The class to instantiate object in the collection
     # @return [Twitter::Cursor]
-    def self.from_response(response={}, method='ids', klass=nil)
+    def self.from_response(response={}, method=:ids, klass=nil)
       self.new(response[:body], response[:response_headers], method, klass)
     end
 
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ def self.from_response(response={}, method='ids', klass=nil)
     # @param attrs [Hash]
     # @param response_headers [Hash]
     # @return [Twitter::Base]
-    def initialize(attrs={}, response_headers={}, method='ids', klass=nil)
+    def initialize(attrs={}, response_headers={}, method=:ids, klass=nil)
       self.update(attrs)
       self.update_rate_limit(response_headers) unless response_headers.empty?
-      @collection = Array(attrs[method.to_s]).map do |item|
+      @collection = Array(attrs[method.to_sym]).map do |item|
         if klass
           klass.fetch_or_new(item)
         else
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ def initialize(attrs={}, response_headers={}, method='ids', klass=nil)
     end
 
     def next_cursor
-      @attrs['next_cursor']
+      @attrs[:next_cursor]
     end
     alias next next_cursor
 
     def previous_cursor
-      @attrs['previous_cursor']
+      @attrs[:previous_cursor]
     end
     alias previous previous_cursor
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/direct_message.rb b/lib/twitter/direct_message.rb
index 9633c0b25..55d9846f7 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/direct_message.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/direct_message.rb
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ class DirectMessage < Twitter::Identifiable
 
     # @return [Twitter::User]
     def recipient
-      @recipient ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs['recipient']) unless @attrs['recipient'].nil?
+      @recipient ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:recipient]) unless @attrs[:recipient].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [Twitter::User]
     def sender
-      @sender ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs['sender']) unless @attrs['sender'].nil?
+      @sender ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:sender]) unless @attrs[:sender].nil?
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/error/client_error.rb b/lib/twitter/error/client_error.rb
index 4c3534de2..343240aa5 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/error/client_error.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/error/client_error.rb
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ def self.from_env(env)
       def self.error_body(message)
         if message.nil?
           ''
-        elsif message['error']
-          message['error']
-        elsif message['errors']
-          first = Array(message['errors']).first
+        elsif message[:error]
+          message[:error]
+        elsif message[:errors]
+          first = Array(message[:errors]).first
           if first.kind_of?(Hash)
-            first['message'].chomp
+            first[:message].chomp
           else
             first.chomp
           end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/geo_factory.rb b/lib/twitter/geo_factory.rb
index 29f8d64b3..1a26f0bbc 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/geo_factory.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/geo_factory.rb
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@ class GeoFactory
     # Instantiates a new geo object
     #
     # @param attrs [Hash]
-    # @raise [ArgumentError] Error raised when supplied argument is missing a 'type' key.
+    # @raise [ArgumentError] Error raised when supplied argument is missing a :type key.
     # @return [Twitter::Point, Twitter::Polygon]
     def self.new(attrs={})
-      if type = attrs.delete('type')
+      if type = attrs.delete(:type)
         Twitter.const_get(type.capitalize.to_sym).fetch_or_new(attrs)
       else
-        raise ArgumentError, "argument must have a 'type' key"
+        raise ArgumentError, "argument must have a :type key"
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/identifiable.rb b/lib/twitter/identifiable.rb
index fc4f4d08b..8607dd240 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/identifiable.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/identifiable.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ module Twitter
   class Identifiable < Base
 
     def self.fetch(attrs)
-      id = attrs['id']
+      id = attrs[:id]
       @@identity_map[self] ||= {}
       id && @@identity_map[self][id] && @@identity_map[self][id].update(attrs) || super(attrs)
     end
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ def self.fetch(attrs)
     # @param response_headers [Hash]
     # @return [Twitter::Base]
     def initialize(attrs={}, response_headers={})
-      if attrs['id']
+      if attrs[:id]
         self.update(attrs)
         self.update_rate_limit(response_headers) unless response_headers.empty?
         @@identity_map[self.class] ||= {}
-        @@identity_map[self.class][attrs['id']] = self
+        @@identity_map[self.class][attrs[:id]] = self
       else
         super
       end
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def ==(other)
 
     # @return [Integer]
     def id
-      @attrs['id']
+      @attrs[:id]
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/list.rb b/lib/twitter/list.rb
index e53629de1..a7c359771 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/list.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/list.rb
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class List < Twitter::Identifiable
 
     # @return [Twitter::User]
     def user
-      @user ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs['user']) unless @attrs['user'].nil?
+      @user ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:user]) unless @attrs[:user].nil?
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/media_factory.rb b/lib/twitter/media_factory.rb
index c982f66b0..2acd2c76f 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/media_factory.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/media_factory.rb
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ class MediaFactory
     # Instantiates a new media object
     #
     # @param attrs [Hash]
-    # @raise [ArgumentError] Error raised when supplied argument is missing a 'type' key.
+    # @raise [ArgumentError] Error raised when supplied argument is missing a :type key.
     # @return [Twitter::Photo]
     def self.new(attrs={})
-      if type = attrs.delete('type')
+      if type = attrs.delete(:type)
         Twitter.const_get(type.capitalize.to_sym).fetch_or_new(attrs)
       else
-        raise ArgumentError, "argument must have a 'type' key"
+        raise ArgumentError, "argument must have a :type key"
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/photo.rb b/lib/twitter/photo.rb
index d9e9b4c7d..ec9660b34 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/photo.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/photo.rb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class Photo < Twitter::Identifiable
 
     # @return [Array<Twitter::Size>]
     def sizes
-      @sizes ||= Array(@attrs['sizes']).inject({}) do |object, (key, value)|
+      @sizes ||= Array(@attrs[:sizes]).inject({}) do |object, (key, value)|
         object[key] = Twitter::Size.fetch_or_new(value)
         object
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/place.rb b/lib/twitter/place.rb
index f0b876e46..aa8b2b4c3 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/place.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/place.rb
@@ -8,22 +8,22 @@ class Place < Twitter::Identifiable
 
     # @return [Twitter::Point, Twitter::Polygon]
     def bounding_box
-      @bounding_box ||= Twitter::GeoFactory.new(@attrs['bounding_box']) unless @attrs['bounding_box'].nil?
+      @bounding_box ||= Twitter::GeoFactory.new(@attrs[:bounding_box]) unless @attrs[:bounding_box].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [String]
     def country_code
-      @country_code ||= @attrs['country_code'] || @attrs['countryCode']
+      @country_code ||= @attrs[:country_code] || @attrs[:countryCode]
     end
 
     # @return [Integer]
     def parent_id
-      @parent_id ||= @attrs['parentid']
+      @parent_id ||= @attrs[:parentid]
     end
 
     # @return [String]
     def place_type
-      @place_type ||= @attrs['place_type'] || @attrs['placeType'] && @attrs['placeType']['name']
+      @place_type ||= @attrs[:place_type] || @attrs[:placeType] && @attrs[:placeType][:name]
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/rate_limit_status.rb b/lib/twitter/rate_limit_status.rb
index 77aa08ca7..4f5ea3def 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/rate_limit_status.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/rate_limit_status.rb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class RateLimitStatus < Twitter::Base
     #
     # @return [Time]
     def reset_time
-      @reset_time ||= Time.parse(@attrs['reset_time']) unless @attrs['reset_time'].nil?
+      @reset_time ||= Time.parse(@attrs[:reset_time]) unless @attrs[:reset_time].nil?
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/relationship.rb b/lib/twitter/relationship.rb
index 489429763..837ed9aaa 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/relationship.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/relationship.rb
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@ class Relationship < Twitter::Base
 
     # @return [Twitter::User]
     def source
-      @source ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs['source']) unless @attrs['source'].nil?
+      @source ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:source]) unless @attrs[:source].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [Twitter::User]
     def target
-      @target ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs['target']) unless @attrs['target'].nil?
+      @target ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:target]) unless @attrs[:target].nil?
     end
 
     # Update the attributes of a Relationship
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def target
     # @return [Twitter::Relationship]
     def update(attrs)
       @attrs ||= {}
-      @attrs.update(attrs['relationship']) unless attrs['relationship'].nil?
+      @attrs.update(attrs[:relationship]) unless attrs[:relationship].nil?
       self
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/twitter/request/multipart_with_file.rb b/lib/twitter/request/multipart_with_file.rb
index d8cdadeed..7e427956a 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/request/multipart_with_file.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/request/multipart_with_file.rb
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ def call(env)
           env[:body].each do |key, value|
             if value.is_a?(File)
               env[:body][key] = Faraday::UploadIO.new(value, mime_type(value.path), value.path)
-            elsif value.is_a?(Hash) && (value['io'].is_a?(IO) || value['io'].is_a?(StringIO))
-              env[:body][key] = Faraday::UploadIO.new(value['io'], mime_type('.' + value['type']), '')
+            elsif value.is_a?(Hash) && (value[:io].is_a?(IO) || value[:io].is_a?(StringIO))
+              env[:body][key] = Faraday::UploadIO.new(value[:io], mime_type('.' + value[:type]), '')
             end
           end
         end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/requestable.rb b/lib/twitter/requestable.rb
index be3b0b564..fe75e8a3b 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/requestable.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/requestable.rb
@@ -40,13 +40,13 @@ def request(method, path, params, options)
       request_headers = {}
       if credentials?
         # When posting a file, don't sign any params
-        signature_params = if :post == method.to_sym && params.values.any?{|value| value.is_a?(File) || (value.is_a?(Hash) && (value['io'].is_a?(IO) || value['io'].is_a?(StringIO)))}
+        signature_params = if :post == method.to_sym && params.values.any?{|value| value.is_a?(File) || (value.is_a?(Hash) && (value[:io].is_a?(IO) || value[:io].is_a?(StringIO)))}
           {}
         else
           params
         end
         authorization = SimpleOAuth::Header.new(method, uri, signature_params, credentials)
-        request_headers['Authorization'] = authorization.to_s
+        request_headers[:authorization] = authorization.to_s
       end
 
       connection.url_prefix = options[:endpoint] || endpoint
diff --git a/lib/twitter/response/parse_json.rb b/lib/twitter/response/parse_json.rb
index 31bd00f6b..ae7327991 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/response/parse_json.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/response/parse_json.rb
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ def parse(body)
         when 'false'
           false
         else
-          MultiJson.load(body)
+          MultiJson.load(body, :symbolize_keys => true)
         end
       end
 
       def on_complete(env)
-        if respond_to? :parse
+        if respond_to?(:parse)
           env[:body] = parse(env[:body]) unless [204, 304].include?(env[:status])
         end
       end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/search_results.rb b/lib/twitter/search_results.rb
index 330142289..0b5efe0c8 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/search_results.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/search_results.rb
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ class SearchResults < Twitter::Base
 
     # @return [Array<Twitter::Status>]
     def results
-      @results ||= Array(@attrs['results']).map do |status|
+      @results ||= Array(@attrs[:results]).map do |status|
         Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(status)
       end
     end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/settings.rb b/lib/twitter/settings.rb
index 502a29a44..548ebecee 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/settings.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/settings.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class Settings < Twitter::Base
 
     # @return [Twitter::Place]
     def trend_location
-      @trend_location ||= Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(@attrs['trend_location'].first) unless @attrs['trend_location'].nil? || @attrs['trend_location'].empty?
+      @trend_location ||= Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:trend_location].first) unless @attrs[:trend_location].nil? || @attrs[:trend_location].empty?
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/status.rb b/lib/twitter/status.rb
index d8805821e..e31dd20ab 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/status.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/status.rb
@@ -26,14 +26,14 @@ class Status < Twitter::Identifiable
 
     # @return [Integer]
     def favoriters_count
-      @favoriters_count ||= @attrs['favoriters_count']
+      @favoriters_count ||= @attrs[:favoriters_count]
       @favoriters_count.to_i if @favoriters_count
     end
     alias favorite_count favoriters_count
 
     # @return [String]
     def from_user
-      @attrs['from_user'] || self.user && self.user.screen_name
+      @attrs[:from_user] || self.user && self.user.screen_name
     end
 
     # @return [String]
@@ -44,14 +44,14 @@ def full_text
 
     # @return [Twitter::Point, Twitter::Polygon]
     def geo
-      @geo ||= Twitter::GeoFactory.new(@attrs['geo']) unless @attrs['geo'].nil?
+      @geo ||= Twitter::GeoFactory.new(@attrs[:geo]) unless @attrs[:geo].nil?
     end
 
     # @note Must include entities in your request for this method to work
     # @return [Array<Twitter::Entity::Hashtag>]
     def hashtags
-      @hashtags ||= unless @attrs['entities'].nil?
-        Array(@attrs['entities']['hashtags']).map do |hashtag|
+      @hashtags ||= unless @attrs[:entities].nil?
+        Array(@attrs[:entities][:hashtags]).map do |hashtag|
           Twitter::Entity::Hashtag.fetch_or_new(hashtag)
         end
       else
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ def hashtags
     # @note Must include entities in your request for this method to work
     # @return [Array]
     def media
-      @media ||= unless @attrs['entities'].nil?
-        Array(@attrs['entities']['media']).map do |media|
+      @media ||= unless @attrs[:entities].nil?
+        Array(@attrs[:entities][:media]).map do |media|
           Twitter::MediaFactory.new(media)
         end
       else
@@ -73,23 +73,23 @@ def media
 
     # @return [Twitter::Metadata]
     def metadata
-      @metadata ||= Twitter::Metadata.fetch_or_new(@attrs['metadata']) unless @attrs['metadata'].nil?
+      @metadata ||= Twitter::Metadata.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:metadata]) unless @attrs[:metadata].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [Twitter::OEmbed]
     def oembed(options={})
       @client ||= Twitter::Client.new
-      @client.oembed(@attrs['id'], options) unless @attrs['id'].nil?
+      @client.oembed(@attrs[:id], options) unless @attrs[:id].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [Twitter::Place]
     def place
-      @place ||= Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(@attrs['place']) unless @attrs['place'].nil?
+      @place ||= Twitter::Place.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:place]) unless @attrs[:place].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [Integer]
     def repliers_count
-      @repliers_count ||= @attrs['repliers_count']
+      @repliers_count ||= @attrs[:repliers_count]
       @repliers_count.to_i if @repliers_count
     end
     alias reply_count repliers_count
@@ -98,12 +98,12 @@ def repliers_count
     #
     # @return [Twitter::Status]
     def retweeted_status
-      @retweeted_status ||= self.class.fetch_or_new(@attrs['retweeted_status']) unless @attrs['retweeted_status'].nil?
+      @retweeted_status ||= self.class.fetch_or_new(@attrs[:retweeted_status]) unless @attrs[:retweeted_status].nil?
     end
 
     # @return [String]
     def retweeters_count
-      @retweeters_count ||= (@attrs['retweet_count'] || @attrs['retweeters_count'])
+      @retweeters_count ||= (@attrs[:retweet_count] || @attrs[:retweeters_count])
       @retweeters_count.to_i if @retweeters_count
     end
     alias retweet_count retweeters_count
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ def retweeters_count
     # @note Must include entities in your request for this method to work
     # @return [Array<Twitter::Entity::Url>]
     def urls
-      @urls ||= unless @attrs['entities'].nil?
-        Array(@attrs['entities']['urls']).map do |url|
+      @urls ||= unless @attrs[:entities].nil?
+        Array(@attrs[:entities][:urls]).map do |url|
           Twitter::Entity::Url.fetch_or_new(url)
         end
       else
@@ -122,14 +122,14 @@ def urls
 
     # @return [Twitter::User]
     def user
-      @user ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs.dup['user'].merge('status' => @attrs.except('user'))) unless @attrs['user'].nil?
+      @user ||= Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(@attrs.dup[:user].merge(:status => @attrs.except(:user))) unless @attrs[:user].nil?
     end
 
     # @note Must include entities in your request for this method to work
     # @return [Array<Twitter::Entity::UserMention>]
     def user_mentions
-      @user_mentions ||= unless @attrs['entities'].nil?
-        Array(@attrs['entities']['user_mentions']).map do |user_mention|
+      @user_mentions ||= unless @attrs[:entities].nil?
+        Array(@attrs[:entities][:user_mentions]).map do |user_mention|
           Twitter::Entity::UserMention.fetch_or_new(user_mention)
         end
       else
diff --git a/lib/twitter/suggestion.rb b/lib/twitter/suggestion.rb
index 707a57502..c953bc99c 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/suggestion.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/suggestion.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ def ==(other)
 
     # @return [Array<Twitter::User>]
     def users
-      @users = Array(@attrs['users']).map do |user|
+      @users = Array(@attrs[:users]).map do |user|
         Twitter::User.fetch_or_new(user)
       end
     end
diff --git a/lib/twitter/user.rb b/lib/twitter/user.rb
index 34bbdabed..99d4985e8 100644
--- a/lib/twitter/user.rb
+++ b/lib/twitter/user.rb
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class User < Twitter::Identifiable
 
     # @return [Twitter::Status]
     def status
-      @status ||= Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(@attrs.dup['status'].merge('user' => @attrs.except('status'))) unless @attrs['status'].nil?
+      @status ||= Twitter::Status.fetch_or_new(@attrs.dup[:status].merge(:user => @attrs.except(:status))) unless @attrs[:status].nil?
     end
 
   end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action/favorite_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action/favorite_spec.rb
index 2cd6aa42f..e9ef2f15e 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action/favorite_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action/favorite_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#sources" do
     it "returns a collection of users who favorited a status" do
-      sources = Twitter::Action::Favorite.new('sources' => [{}]).sources
+      sources = Twitter::Action::Favorite.new(:sources => [{}]).sources
       sources.should be_an Array
       sources.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   describe "#targets" do
     it "returns a collection containing the favorited status" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Favorite.new('targets' => [{}]).targets
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Favorite.new(:targets => [{}]).targets
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action/follow_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action/follow_spec.rb
index 42069df5f..473caea88 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action/follow_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action/follow_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#sources" do
     it "returns a collection of users who followed a user" do
-      sources = Twitter::Action::Follow.new('sources' => [{}]).sources
+      sources = Twitter::Action::Follow.new(:sources => [{}]).sources
       sources.should be_an Array
       sources.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   describe "#targets" do
     it "returns a collection containing the followed user" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Follow.new('targets' => [{}]).targets
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Follow.new(:targets => [{}]).targets
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action/list_member_added_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action/list_member_added_spec.rb
index 6367109e6..326e4464e 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action/list_member_added_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action/list_member_added_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#sources" do
     it "returns a collection of users who added a user to a list" do
-      sources = Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded.new('sources' => [{}]).sources
+      sources = Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded.new(:sources => [{}]).sources
       sources.should be_an Array
       sources.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   describe "#target_objects" do
     it "returns a collection of lists that were added to" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded.new('target_objects' => [{}]).target_objects
+      targets = Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded.new(:target_objects => [{}]).target_objects
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::List
     end
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
   describe "#targets" do
     it "returns a collection of users who were added to a list" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded.new('targets' => [{}]).targets
+      targets = Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded.new(:targets => [{}]).targets
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action/mention_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action/mention_spec.rb
index 37b9f0e9d..0a633f539 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action/mention_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action/mention_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#sources" do
     it "returns a collection of users who mentioned a user" do
-      sources = Twitter::Action::Mention.new('sources' => [{}]).sources
+      sources = Twitter::Action::Mention.new(:sources => [{}]).sources
       sources.should be_an Array
       sources.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   describe "#source" do
     it "returns the user who mentioned a user" do
-      source = Twitter::Action::Mention.new('sources' => [{}]).source
+      source = Twitter::Action::Mention.new(:sources => [{}]).source
       source.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 
   describe "#target_objects" do
     it "returns a collection of statuses that mention a user" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Mention.new('target_objects' => [{}]).target_objects
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Mention.new(:target_objects => [{}]).target_objects
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 
   describe "#targets" do
     it "returns a collection containing the mentioned user" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Mention.new('targets' => [{}]).targets
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Mention.new(:targets => [{}]).targets
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action/reply_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action/reply_spec.rb
index 9cdb941c4..93acc7032 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action/reply_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action/reply_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#sources" do
     it "returns a collection of users who replied to a user" do
-      sources = Twitter::Action::Reply.new('sources' => [{}]).sources
+      sources = Twitter::Action::Reply.new(:sources => [{}]).sources
       sources.should be_an Array
       sources.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   describe "#target_objects" do
     it "returns a collection of statuses that reply to a user" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Reply.new('target_objects' => [{}]).target_objects
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Reply.new(:target_objects => [{}]).target_objects
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
   describe "#targets" do
     it "returns a collection that contains the replied-to status" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Reply.new('targets' => [{}]).targets
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Reply.new(:targets => [{}]).targets
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action/retweet_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action/retweet_spec.rb
index c1de8eca1..9f655c189 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action/retweet_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action/retweet_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#sources" do
     it "returns a collection of users who retweeted a user" do
-      sources = Twitter::Action::Retweet.new('sources' => [{}]).sources
+      sources = Twitter::Action::Retweet.new(:sources => [{}]).sources
       sources.should be_an Array
       sources.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   describe "#target_objects" do
     it "returns a collection of retweets" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Retweet.new('target_objects' => [{}]).target_objects
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Retweet.new(:target_objects => [{}]).target_objects
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
   describe "#targets" do
     it "returns a collection containing the retweeted user" do
-      targets = Twitter::Action::Retweet.new('targets' => [{}]).targets
+      targets = Twitter::Action::Retweet.new(:targets => [{}]).targets
       targets.should be_an Array
       targets.first.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action_factory_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action_factory_spec.rb
index 07325947d..80bcf494e 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action_factory_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action_factory_spec.rb
@@ -4,33 +4,33 @@
 
   describe ".new" do
     it "generates a Favorite" do
-      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new('action' => 'favorite')
+      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new(:action => 'favorite')
       action.should be_a Twitter::Action::Favorite
     end
     it "generates a Follow" do
-      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new('action' => 'follow')
+      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new(:action => 'follow')
       action.should be_a Twitter::Action::Follow
     end
     it "generates a ListMemberAdded" do
-      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new('action' => 'list_member_added')
+      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new(:action => 'list_member_added')
       action.should be_a Twitter::Action::ListMemberAdded
     end
     it "generates a Mention" do
-      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new('action' => 'mention')
+      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new(:action => 'mention')
       action.should be_a Twitter::Action::Mention
     end
     it "generates a Reply" do
-      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new('action' => 'reply')
+      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new(:action => 'reply')
       action.should be_a Twitter::Action::Reply
     end
     it "generates a Retweet" do
-      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new('action' => 'retweet')
+      action = Twitter::ActionFactory.new(:action => 'retweet')
       action.should be_a Twitter::Action::Retweet
     end
     it "raises an ArgumentError when action is not specified" do
       lambda do
         Twitter::ActionFactory.new
-      end.should raise_error(ArgumentError, "argument must have an 'action' key")
+      end.should raise_error(ArgumentError, "argument must have an :action key")
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/action_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/action_spec.rb
index 384f7106d..074e80e27 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/action_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/action_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#created_at" do
     it "returns a Time when created_at is set" do
-      user = Twitter::User.new('created_at' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      user = Twitter::User.new(:created_at => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       user.created_at.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when created_at is not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/base_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/base_spec.rb
index 45f8edf0f..2b1660af8 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/base_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/base_spec.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 describe Twitter::Base do
 
   before do
-    @base = Twitter::Base.new('id' => 1)
+    @base = Twitter::Base.new(:id => 1)
   end
 
   describe "#[]" do
@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@
   describe "#to_hash" do
     it "returns a hash" do
       @base.to_hash.should be_a Hash
-      @base.to_hash['id'].should eq 1
+      @base.to_hash[:id].should eq 1
     end
   end
 
   describe "identical objects" do
     it "have the same object_id" do
-      @base.object_id.should eq Twitter::Base.fetch('id' => 1).object_id
+      @base.object_id.should eq Twitter::Base.fetch(:id => 1).object_id
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/client/accounts_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/client/accounts_spec.rb
index 42778d297..a3ce8f23e 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/client/accounts_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/client/accounts_spec.rb
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
     end
     it "returns a null cookie" do
       end_session = @client.end_session
-      end_session['error'].should eq "Logged out."
+      end_session[:error].should eq "Logged out."
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/client/friends_and_followers_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/client/friends_and_followers_spec.rb
index f16fec4bb..49262115c 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/client/friends_and_followers_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/client/friends_and_followers_spec.rb
@@ -134,8 +134,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("true.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'pengwynn')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'pengwynn')
           @client.friendship?(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/friendships/exists.json").
             with(:query => {:screen_name_a => "sferik", :screen_name_b => "pengwynn"}).
@@ -149,8 +149,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("true.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '7505382')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '14100886')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '7505382')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '14100886')
           @client.friendship?(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/friendships/exists.json").
             with(:query => {:user_id_a => "7505382", :user_id_b => "14100886"}).
@@ -253,8 +253,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("relationship.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'pengwynn')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'pengwynn')
           @client.friendship(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/friendships/show.json").
             with(:query => {:source_screen_name => "sferik", :target_screen_name => "pengwynn"}).
@@ -268,8 +268,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("relationship.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '7505382')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '14100886')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '7505382')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '14100886')
           @client.friendship(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/friendships/show.json").
             with(:query => {:source_id => "7505382", :target_id => "14100886"}).
diff --git a/spec/twitter/client/lists_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/client/lists_spec.rb
index 7a383b94b..ac50ee5bb 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/client/lists_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/client/lists_spec.rb
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("sferik.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('slug' => 'presidents', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:slug => 'presidents', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_subscriber?(list, 813286)
           a_get("/1/lists/subscribers/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :slug => 'presidents', :user_id => '813286'}).
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("sferik.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('id' => 12345678, 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:id => 12345678, :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_subscriber?(list, 813286)
           a_get("/1/lists/subscribers/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :list_id => '12345678', :user_id => '813286'}).
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('slug' => 'presidents', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:slug => 'presidents', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_member?(list, 813286)
           a_get("/1/lists/members/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :slug => 'presidents', :user_id => '813286'}).
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('id' => 12345678, 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:id => 12345678, :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_member?(list, 813286)
           a_get("/1/lists/members/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :list_id => '12345678', :user_id => '813286'}).
@@ -763,7 +763,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('slug' => 'presidents', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:slug => 'presidents', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_destroy(list)
           a_delete("/1/lists/destroy.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :slug => 'presidents'}).
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('id' => '12345678', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:id => '12345678', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_destroy(list)
           a_delete("/1/lists/destroy.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :list_id => '12345678'}).
@@ -842,7 +842,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('slug' => 'presidents', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:slug => 'presidents', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_update(list, :description => "Presidents of the United States of America")
           a_post("/1/lists/update.json").
             with(:body => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :slug => "presidents", :description => "Presidents of the United States of America"}).
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('id' => '12345678', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:id => '12345678', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list_update(list, :description => "Presidents of the United States of America")
           a_post("/1/lists/update.json").
             with(:body => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :list_id => '12345678', :description => "Presidents of the United States of America"}).
@@ -968,7 +968,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user = Twitter::User.new('id' => '12345678')
+          user = Twitter::User.new(:id => '12345678')
           @client.list(user, 'presidents')
           a_get("/1/lists/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_id => '12345678', :slug => 'presidents'}).
@@ -982,7 +982,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik')
+          user = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik')
           @client.list(user, "presidents")
           a_get("/1/lists/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :slug => 'presidents'}).
@@ -1026,7 +1026,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('slug' => 'presidents', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:slug => 'presidents', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list(list)
           a_get("/1/lists/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :slug => 'presidents'}).
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("list.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          list = Twitter::List.new('id' => '12345678', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+          list = Twitter::List.new(:id => '12345678', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
           @client.list(list)
           a_get("/1/lists/show.json").
             with(:query => {:owner_screen_name => 'sferik', :list_id => '12345678'}).
diff --git a/spec/twitter/client/trends_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/client/trends_spec.rb
index 7c2c73b66..ed20b9439 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/client/trends_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/client/trends_spec.rb
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@
     it "returns the top 20 trending topics for each hour in a given day" do
       trends = @client.trends_daily(Date.parse("2010-10-24"))
       trends.should be_a Hash
-      trends["2010-10-24 17:00"].should be_an Array
-      trends["2010-10-24 17:00"].first.should be_a Twitter::Trend
-      trends["2010-10-24 17:00"].first.name.should eq "#bigbangcomeback"
+      trends["2010-10-24 17:00".to_sym].should be_an Array
+      trends["2010-10-24 17:00".to_sym].first.should be_a Twitter::Trend
+      trends["2010-10-24 17:00".to_sym].first.name.should eq "#bigbangcomeback"
     end
   end
 
@@ -42,9 +42,9 @@
     it "returns the top 30 trending topics for each day in a given week" do
       trends = @client.trends_weekly(Date.parse("2010-10-24"))
       trends.should be_a Hash
-      trends["2010-10-24"].should be_an Array
-      trends["2010-10-24"].first.should be_a Twitter::Trend
-      trends["2010-10-24"].first.name.should eq "#youcantbeuglyand"
+      trends["2010-10-24".to_sym].should be_an Array
+      trends["2010-10-24".to_sym].first.should be_a Twitter::Trend
+      trends["2010-10-24".to_sym].first.name.should eq "#youcantbeuglyand"
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/client/tweets_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/client/tweets_spec.rb
index bb2f7c529..b6a67c4af 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/client/tweets_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/client/tweets_spec.rb
@@ -243,12 +243,12 @@
     end
     context "an IO" do
       it "requests the correct resource" do
-        @client.update_with_media("You always have options", {'io' => StringIO.new, 'type' => 'gif'})
+        @client.update_with_media("You always have options", {:io => StringIO.new, :type => 'gif'})
         a_post("/1/statuses/update_with_media.json", Twitter.media_endpoint).
           should have_been_made
       end
       it 'returns the media as an entity' do
-        status = @client.update_with_media("You always have options", {'io' => StringIO.new, 'type' => 'gif'})
+        status = @client.update_with_media("You always have options", {:io => StringIO.new, :type => 'gif'})
         status.media.should be
       end
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/client/users_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/client/users_spec.rb
index a8c50fb68..022af5ecb 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/client/users_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/client/users_spec.rb
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("users.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '7505382')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '14100886')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '7505382')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '14100886')
           @client.users(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/users/lookup.json").
             with(:query => {:user_id => "7505382,14100886"}).
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("users.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'pengwynn')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'pengwynn')
           @client.users(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/users/lookup.json").
             with(:query => {:screen_name => "sferik,pengwynn"}).
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("users.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user1 = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik')
-          user2 = Twitter::User.new('id' => '14100886')
+          user1 = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik')
+          user2 = Twitter::User.new(:id => '14100886')
           @client.users(user1, user2)
           a_get("/1/users/lookup.json").
             with(:query => {:screen_name => "sferik", :user_id => "14100886"}).
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("sferik.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user = Twitter::User.new('id' => 7505382)
+          user = Twitter::User.new(:id => 7505382)
           @client.user(user)
           a_get("/1/users/show.json").
             with(:query => {:user_id => "7505382"}).
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
             to_return(:body => fixture("sferik.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
         end
         it "requests the correct resource" do
-          user = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik')
+          user = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik')
           @client.user(user)
           a_get("/1/users/show.json").
             with(:query => {:screen_name => "sferik"}).
diff --git a/spec/twitter/configuration_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/configuration_spec.rb
index 8437cd240..258caccae 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/configuration_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/configuration_spec.rb
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 
   describe "#photo_sizes" do
     it "returns a hash of sizes when photo_sizes is set" do
-      photo_sizes = Twitter::Configuration.new('photo_sizes' => {'small' => {'h' => 226, 'w' => 340, 'resize' => 'fit'}, 'large' => {'h' => 466, 'w' => 700, 'resize' => 'fit'}, 'medium' => {'h' => 399, 'w' => 600, 'resize' => 'fit'}, 'thumb' => {'h' => 150, 'w' => 150, 'resize' => 'crop'}}).photo_sizes
+      photo_sizes = Twitter::Configuration.new(:photo_sizes => {:small => {:h => 226, :w => 340, :resize => 'fit'}, :large => {:h => 466, :w => 700, :resize => 'fit'}, :medium => {:h => 399, :w => 600, :resize => 'fit'}, :thumb => {:h => 150, :w => 150, :resize => 'crop'}}).photo_sizes
       photo_sizes.should be_a Hash
-      photo_sizes['small'].should be_a Twitter::Size
+      photo_sizes[:small].should be_a Twitter::Size
     end
     it "is empty when photo_sizes is not set" do
       photo_sizes = Twitter::Configuration.new().photo_sizes
diff --git a/spec/twitter/cursor_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/cursor_spec.rb
index f3fd41f0c..a18362af7 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/cursor_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/cursor_spec.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   describe "#first?" do
     context "when previous cursor equals zero" do
       before do
-        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new('previous_cursor' => 0)
+        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new(:previous_cursor => 0)
       end
       it "returns true" do
         @cursor.first?.should be_true
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     end
     context "when previous cursor does not equal zero" do
       before do
-        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new('previous_cursor' => 1)
+        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new(:previous_cursor => 1)
       end
       it "returns true" do
         @cursor.first?.should be_false
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
   describe "#last?" do
     context "when next cursor equals zero" do
       before do
-        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new('next_cursor' => 0)
+        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new(:next_cursor => 0)
       end
       it "returns true" do
         @cursor.last?.should be_true
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
     end
     context "when next cursor does not equal zero" do
       before do
-        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new('next_cursor' => 1)
+        @cursor = Twitter::Cursor.new(:next_cursor => 1)
       end
       it "returns false" do
         @cursor.last?.should be_false
diff --git a/spec/twitter/direct_message_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/direct_message_spec.rb
index 46cdb34aa..a3dc2ea5c 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/direct_message_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/direct_message_spec.rb
@@ -4,25 +4,25 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('id' => 1)
+      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:id => 1)
       (direct_message == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (direct_message == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('id' => 2)
+      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:id => 2)
       (direct_message == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#created_at" do
     it "returns a Time when created_at is set" do
-      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('created_at' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      direct_message = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:created_at => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       direct_message.created_at.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when created_at is not set" do
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 
   describe "#recipient" do
     it "returns a User when recipient is set" do
-      recipient = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('recipient' => {}).recipient
+      recipient = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:recipient => {}).recipient
       recipient.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when status is not set" do
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 
   describe "#sender" do
     it "returns a User when sender is set" do
-      sender = Twitter::DirectMessage.new('sender' => {}).sender
+      sender = Twitter::DirectMessage.new(:sender => {}).sender
       sender.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when status is not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/geo_factory_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/geo_factory_spec.rb
index 8f329d201..ed02c8772 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/geo_factory_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/geo_factory_spec.rb
@@ -4,17 +4,17 @@
 
   describe ".new" do
     it "generates a Point" do
-      geo = Twitter::GeoFactory.new('type' => 'Point')
+      geo = Twitter::GeoFactory.new(:type => 'Point')
       geo.should be_a Twitter::Point
     end
     it "generates a Polygon" do
-      geo = Twitter::GeoFactory.new('type' => 'Polygon')
+      geo = Twitter::GeoFactory.new(:type => 'Polygon')
       geo.should be_a Twitter::Polygon
     end
     it "raises an ArgumentError when type is not specified" do
       lambda do
         Twitter::GeoFactory.new
-      end.should raise_error(ArgumentError, "argument must have a 'type' key")
+      end.should raise_error(ArgumentError, "argument must have a :type key")
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/list_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/list_spec.rb
index 3175bfb76..44631cf0c 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/list_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/list_spec.rb
@@ -4,25 +4,25 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      list = Twitter::List.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::List.new('id' => 1)
+      list = Twitter::List.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::List.new(:id => 1)
       (list == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      list = Twitter::List.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      list = Twitter::List.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (list == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      list = Twitter::List.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::List.new('id' => 2)
+      list = Twitter::List.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::List.new(:id => 2)
       (list == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#created_at" do
     it "returns a Time when created_at is set" do
-      user = Twitter::List.new('created_at' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      user = Twitter::List.new(:created_at => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       user.created_at.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when created_at is not set" do
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 
   describe "#user" do
     it "returns a User when user is set" do
-      user = Twitter::List.new('user' => {}).user
+      user = Twitter::List.new(:user => {}).user
       user.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when status is not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/media_factory_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/media_factory_spec.rb
index 2ef7230ff..e5d0afd12 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/media_factory_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/media_factory_spec.rb
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@
 
   describe ".new" do
     it "generates a Photo" do
-      media = Twitter::MediaFactory.new('type' => 'photo')
+      media = Twitter::MediaFactory.new(:type => 'photo')
       media.should be_a Twitter::Photo
     end
     it "raises an ArgumentError when type is not specified" do
       lambda do
         Twitter::MediaFactory.new
-      end.should raise_error(ArgumentError, "argument must have a 'type' key")
+      end.should raise_error(ArgumentError, "argument must have a :type key")
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/oembed_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/oembed_spec.rb
index cb79cc322..21f9e73cb 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/oembed_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/oembed_spec.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 describe Twitter::OEmbed do
   describe "#author_url" do
     it "returns the author's url" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('author_url' => 'https://twitter.com/sferik')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:author_url => 'https://twitter.com/sferik')
       oembed.author_url.should eq "https://twitter.com/sferik"
     end
 
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
   describe "#author_name" do
     it "returns the author's name" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('author_name' => 'Erik Michaels-Ober')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:author_name => 'Erik Michaels-Ober')
       oembed.author_name.should eq "Erik Michaels-Ober"
     end
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 
   describe "#cache_age" do
     it "returns the cache_age" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('cache_age' => '31536000000')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:cache_age => '31536000000')
       oembed.cache_age.should eq "31536000000"
     end
 
@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@
 
   describe "#height" do
     it "returns the height" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('height' => 200)
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:height => 200)
       oembed.height.should eq 200
     end
 
     it "returns it as an Integer" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('height' => 200)
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:height => 200)
       oembed.height.should be_an Integer
     end
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
 
   describe "#html" do
     it "returns the html" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('html' => '<blockquote>all my <b>witty tweet</b> stuff here</blockquote>')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:html => '<blockquote>all my <b>witty tweet</b> stuff here</blockquote>')
       oembed.html.should eq "<blockquote>all my <b>witty tweet</b> stuff here</blockquote>"
     end
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
 
   describe "#provider_name" do
     it "returns the provider_name" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('provider_name' => 'Twitter')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:provider_name => 'Twitter')
       oembed.provider_name.should eq "Twitter"
     end
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
 
   describe "#provider_url" do
     it "returns the provider_url" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('provider_url' => 'http://twitter.com')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:provider_url => 'http://twitter.com')
       oembed.provider_url.should eq "http://twitter.com"
     end
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
 
   describe "#type" do
     it "returns the type" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('type' => 'rich')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:type => 'rich')
       oembed.type.should eq "rich"
     end
 
@@ -104,12 +104,12 @@
 
   describe "#width" do
     it "returns the width" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('width' => 550)
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:width => 550)
       oembed.width.should eq 550
     end
 
     it "returns it as an Integer" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('width' => 550)
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:width => 550)
       oembed.width.should be_an Integer
     end
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
 
   describe "#url" do
     it "returns the url" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('url' => 'https://twitter.com/twitterapi/status/133640144317198338')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:url => 'https://twitter.com/twitterapi/status/133640144317198338')
       oembed.url.should eq "https://twitter.com/twitterapi/status/133640144317198338"
     end
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
 
   describe "#version" do
     it "returns the version" do
-      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new('version' => '1.0')
+      oembed = Twitter::OEmbed.new(:version => '1.0')
       oembed.version.should eq "1.0"
     end
 
diff --git a/spec/twitter/photo_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/photo_spec.rb
index 6b823d3f8..945ff1dcc 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/photo_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/photo_spec.rb
@@ -4,27 +4,27 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      photo = Twitter::Photo.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Photo.new('id' => 1)
+      photo = Twitter::Photo.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Photo.new(:id => 1)
       (photo == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      photo = Twitter::Photo.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      photo = Twitter::Photo.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (photo == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      photo = Twitter::Photo.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Photo.new('id' => 2)
+      photo = Twitter::Photo.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Photo.new(:id => 2)
       (photo == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#sizes" do
     it "returns a hash of Sizes when sizes is set" do
-      sizes = Twitter::Photo.new('sizes' => {'small' => {'h' => 226, 'w' => 340, 'resize' => 'fit'}, 'large' => {'h' => 466, 'w' => 700, 'resize' => 'fit'}, 'medium' => {'h' => 399, 'w' => 600, 'resize' => 'fit'}, 'thumb' => {'h' => 150, 'w' => 150, 'resize' => 'crop'}}).sizes
+      sizes = Twitter::Photo.new(:sizes => {:small => {:h => 226, :w => 340, :resize => 'fit'}, :large => {:h => 466, :w => 700, :resize => 'fit'}, :medium => {:h => 399, :w => 600, :resize => 'fit'}, :thumb => {:h => 150, :w => 150, :resize => 'crop'}}).sizes
       sizes.should be_a Hash
-      sizes['small'].should be_a Twitter::Size
+      sizes[:small].should be_a Twitter::Size
     end
     it "is empty when sizes is not set" do
       sizes = Twitter::Photo.new.sizes
diff --git a/spec/twitter/place_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/place_spec.rb
index 37cf2d977..b52726ae2 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/place_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/place_spec.rb
@@ -4,25 +4,25 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Place.new('id' => 1)
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Place.new(:id => 1)
       (place == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (place == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Place.new('id' => 2)
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Place.new(:id => 2)
       (place == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#bounding_box" do
     it "returns a Twitter::Place when set" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('bounding_box' => {'type' => 'Polygon', 'coordinates' => [[[-122.40348192, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.79448597], [-122.40348192, 37.79448597]]]})
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:bounding_box => {:type => 'Polygon', :coordinates => [[[-122.40348192, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.79448597], [-122.40348192, 37.79448597]]]})
       place.bounding_box.should be_a Twitter::Polygon
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@
 
   describe "#country_code" do
     it "returns a country code when set with country_code" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('country_code' => 'US')
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:country_code => 'US')
       place.country_code.should eq 'US'
     end
     it "returns a country code when set with countryCode" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('countryCode' => 'US')
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:countryCode => 'US')
       place.country_code.should eq 'US'
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 
   describe "#parent_id" do
     it "returns a parent ID when set with parentid" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('parentid' => 1)
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:parentid => 1)
       place.parent_id.should eq 1
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -59,11 +59,11 @@
 
   describe "#place_type" do
     it "returns a place type when set with place_type" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('place_type' => 'city')
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:place_type => 'city')
       place.place_type.should eq 'city'
     end
     it "returns a place type when set with placeType[name]" do
-      place = Twitter::Place.new('placeType' => {'name' => 'Town'})
+      place = Twitter::Place.new(:placeType => {:name => 'Town'})
       place.place_type.should eq 'Town'
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/point_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/point_spec.rb
index 6ee6d6022..8fc1f1cbf 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/point_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/point_spec.rb
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@
 describe Twitter::Point do
 
   before do
-    @point = Twitter::Point.new('coordinates' => [-122.399983, 37.788299])
+    @point = Twitter::Point.new(:coordinates => [-122.399983, 37.788299])
   end
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when coordinates are equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Point.new('coordinates' => [-122.399983, 37.788299])
+      other = Twitter::Point.new(:coordinates => [-122.399983, 37.788299])
       (@point == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when coordinates are not equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Point.new('coordinates' => [37.788299, -122.399983])
+      other = Twitter::Point.new(:coordinates => [37.788299, -122.399983])
       (@point == other).should be_false
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/polygon_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/polygon_spec.rb
index 2e3934d7d..80429923a 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/polygon_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/polygon_spec.rb
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@
 describe Twitter::Polygon do
 
   before do
-    @polygon = Twitter::Polygon.new('coordinates' => [[[-122.40348192, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.79448597], [-122.40348192, 37.79448597]]])
+    @polygon = Twitter::Polygon.new(:coordinates => [[[-122.40348192, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.79448597], [-122.40348192, 37.79448597]]])
   end
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when coordinates are equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Polygon.new('coordinates' => [[[-122.40348192, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.79448597], [-122.40348192, 37.79448597]]])
+      other = Twitter::Polygon.new(:coordinates => [[[-122.40348192, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.77752898], [-122.387436, 37.79448597], [-122.40348192, 37.79448597]]])
       (@polygon == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when coordinates are not equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Polygon.new('coordinates' => [[[37.77752898, -122.40348192], [37.77752898, -122.387436], [37.79448597, -122.387436], [37.79448597, -122.40348192]]])
+      other = Twitter::Polygon.new(:coordinates => [[[37.77752898, -122.40348192], [37.77752898, -122.387436], [37.79448597, -122.387436], [37.79448597, -122.40348192]]])
       (@polygon == other).should be_false
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/rate_limit_status_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/rate_limit_status_spec.rb
index 9e5ed831d..f0c65c573 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/rate_limit_status_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/rate_limit_status_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#reset_time" do
     it "returns a Time when reset_time is set" do
-      rate_limit_status = Twitter::RateLimitStatus.new('reset_time' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      rate_limit_status = Twitter::RateLimitStatus.new(:reset_time => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       rate_limit_status.reset_time.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when reset_time is not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/relationship_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/relationship_spec.rb
index 9830c788b..fbcd8b1f3 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/relationship_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/relationship_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#source" do
     it "returns a User when source is set" do
-      source = Twitter::Relationship.new('relationship' => {'source' => {}}).source
+      source = Twitter::Relationship.new(:relationship => {:source => {}}).source
       source.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when source is not set" do
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
   describe "#target" do
     it "returns a User when target is set" do
-      target = Twitter::Relationship.new('relationship' => {'target' => {}}).target
+      target = Twitter::Relationship.new(:relationship => {:target => {}}).target
       target.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when target is not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/saved_search_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/saved_search_spec.rb
index 09832d5b1..fdd76de44 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/saved_search_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/saved_search_spec.rb
@@ -4,25 +4,25 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::SavedSearch.new('id' => 1)
+      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::SavedSearch.new(:id => 1)
       (saved_search == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (saved_search == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::SavedSearch.new('id' => 2)
+      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::SavedSearch.new(:id => 2)
       (saved_search == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#created_at" do
     it "returns a Time when created_at is set" do
-      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new('created_at' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      saved_search = Twitter::SavedSearch.new(:created_at => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       saved_search.created_at.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when created_at is not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/search_results_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/search_results_spec.rb
index 2eaabad0f..6271be84e 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/search_results_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/search_results_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#results" do
     it "contains twitter status objects" do
-      search_results = Twitter::SearchResults.new('results' => [{'text' => 'tweet!'}])
+      search_results = Twitter::SearchResults.new(:results => [{:text => 'tweet!'}])
       search_results.results.should be_a Array
       search_results.results.first.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/settings_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/settings_spec.rb
index 96ed3c65d..3acc82a69 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/settings_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/settings_spec.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
   describe "#trend_location" do
     it "returns a Twitter::Place when set" do
-      place = Twitter::Settings.new('trend_location' => [{'countryCode' => 'US', 'name' => 'San Francisco', 'country' => 'United States', 'placeType' => {'name' => 'Town', 'code' => 7}, 'woeid' => 2487956, 'parentid' => 23424977, 'url' => 'http://where.yahooapis.com/v1/place/2487956'}])
+      place = Twitter::Settings.new(:trend_location => [{:countryCode => 'US', :name => 'San Francisco', :country => 'United States', :placeType => {:name => 'Town', :code => 7}, :woeid => 2487956, :parentid => 23424977, :url => 'http://where.yahooapis.com/v1/place/2487956'}])
       place.trend_location.should be_a Twitter::Place
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
diff --git a/spec/twitter/size_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/size_spec.rb
index 7ea3523d3..e0edb0ead 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/size_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/size_spec.rb
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when height and width are equal" do
-      size = Twitter::Size.new('h' => 1, 'w' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Size.new('h' => 1, 'w' => 1)
+      size = Twitter::Size.new(:h => 1, :w => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Size.new(:h => 1, :w => 1)
       (size == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when height and width are not equal" do
-      size = Twitter::Size.new('h' => 1, 'w' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Size.new('h' => 1, 'w' => 2)
+      size = Twitter::Size.new(:h => 1, :w => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Size.new(:h => 1, :w => 2)
       (size == other).should be_false
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/status_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/status_spec.rb
index ddb93226f..3c467fd88 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/status_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/status_spec.rb
@@ -13,25 +13,25 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 1)
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 1)
       (status == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (status == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 2)
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 2)
       (status == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#created_at" do
     it "returns a Time when set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('created_at' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:created_at => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       status.created_at.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 
   describe "#favoriters_count" do
     it "returns the count of favoriters when favoriters_count is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('favoriters_count' => '1')
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:favoriters_count => '1')
       status.favoriters_count.should be_an Integer
       status.favoriters_count.should eq 1
     end
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@
 
   describe "#from_user" do
     it "returns a screen name when from_user is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('from_user' => 'sferik')
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:from_user => 'sferik')
       status.from_user.should be_a String
       status.from_user.should eq "sferik"
     end
     it "returns a screen name when screen_name is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'})
       status.from_user.should be_a String
       status.from_user.should eq "sferik"
     end
@@ -71,17 +71,17 @@
 
   describe "#full_text" do
     it "returns the text of a status" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('text' => 'BOOSH')
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:text => 'BOOSH')
       status.full_text.should be_a String
       status.full_text.should eq "BOOSH"
     end
     it "returns the text of a status without a user" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('text' => 'BOOSH', 'retweeted_status' => {'text' => 'BOOSH'})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:text => 'BOOSH', :retweeted_status => {:text => 'BOOSH'})
       status.full_text.should be_a String
       status.full_text.should eq "BOOSH"
     end
     it "returns the full text of a retweeted status" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('retweeted_status' => {'text' => 'BOOSH', 'user' => {'screen_name' => 'sferik'}})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:retweeted_status => {:text => 'BOOSH', :user => {:screen_name => 'sferik'}})
       status.full_text.should be_a String
       status.full_text.should eq "RT @sferik: BOOSH"
     end
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
 
   describe "#geo" do
     it "returns a Twitter::Point when set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('geo' => {'type' => 'Point'})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:geo => {:type => 'Point'})
       status.geo.should be_a Twitter::Point
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -106,11 +106,11 @@
     it "returns an Array of Entity::Hashtag when entities are set" do
       hashtags_hash = [
         {
-          'text' => 'twitter',
-          'indices' => [10, 33],
+          :text => 'twitter',
+          :indices => [10, 33],
         }
       ]
-      hashtags = Twitter::Status.new('entities' => {'hashtags' => hashtags_hash}).hashtags
+      hashtags = Twitter::Status.new(:entities => {:hashtags => hashtags_hash}).hashtags
       hashtags.should be_an Array
       hashtags.first.should be_an Twitter::Entity::Hashtag
       hashtags.first.indices.should eq [10, 33]
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
 
   describe "#media" do
     it "returns media" do
-      media = Twitter::Status.new('entities' => {'media' => [{'type' => 'photo'}]}).media
+      media = Twitter::Status.new(:entities => {:media => [{:type => 'photo'}]}).media
       media.should be_an Array
       media.first.should be_a Twitter::Photo
     end
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@
 
   describe "#metadata" do
     it "returns a User when user is set" do
-      metadata = Twitter::Status.new('metadata' => {}).metadata
+      metadata = Twitter::Status.new(:metadata => {}).metadata
       metadata.should be_a Twitter::Metadata
     end
     it "returns nil when user is not set" do
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
     before do
       stub_get("/1/statuses/oembed.json?id=25938088801").
         to_return(:body => fixture("oembed.json"), :headers => {:content_type => "application/json; charset=utf-8"})
-      @status = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 25938088801)
+      @status = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 25938088801)
     end
     it "requests the correct resource" do
       @status.oembed
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
 
   describe "#place" do
     it "returns a Twitter::Place when set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('place' => {})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:place => {})
       status.place.should be_a Twitter::Place
     end
     it "returns nil when not set" do
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@
 
   describe "#repliers_count" do
     it "returns the count of favoriters when repliers_count is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('repliers_count' => '1')
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:repliers_count => '1')
       status.repliers_count.should be_an Integer
       status.repliers_count.should eq 1
     end
@@ -201,12 +201,12 @@
 
   describe "#retweeters_count" do
     it "returns the count of favoriters when retweet_count is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('retweet_count' => '1')
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:retweet_count => '1')
       status.retweeters_count.should be_an Integer
       status.retweeters_count.should eq 1
     end
     it "returns the count of favoriters when retweeters_count is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('retweeters_count' => '1')
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:retweeters_count => '1')
       status.retweeters_count.should be_an Integer
       status.retweeters_count.should eq 1
     end
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
 
   describe "#retweeted_status" do
     it "returns a Status when retweeted_status is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('retweeted_status' => {'text' => 'BOOSH'})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:retweeted_status => {:text => 'BOOSH'})
       status.retweeted_status.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
     it "returns nil when retweeted_status is not set" do
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@
       status.retweeted_status.should be_nil
     end
     it "has text when retweeted_status is set" do
-      status = Twitter::Status.new('retweeted_status' => {'text' => 'BOOSH'})
+      status = Twitter::Status.new(:retweeted_status => {:text => 'BOOSH'})
       status.retweeted_status.text.should eq 'BOOSH'
     end
   end
@@ -235,13 +235,13 @@
     it "returns an Array of Entity::Url when entities are set" do
       urls_hash = [
         {
-          'url' => 'http://example.com/t.co',
-          'expanded_url' => 'http://example.com/expanded',
-          'display_url' => 'example.com/expanded',
-          'indices' => [10, 33],
+          :url => 'http://example.com/t.co',
+          :expanded_url => 'http://example.com/expanded',
+          :display_url => 'example.com/expanded',
+          :indices => [10, 33],
         }
       ]
-      urls = Twitter::Status.new('entities' => {'urls' => urls_hash}).urls
+      urls = Twitter::Status.new(:entities => {:urls => urls_hash}).urls
       urls.should be_an Array
       urls.first.should be_an Twitter::Entity::Url
       urls.first.indices.should eq [10, 33]
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@
 
   describe "#user" do
     it "returns a User when user is set" do
-      user = Twitter::Status.new('user' => {}).user
+      user = Twitter::Status.new(:user => {}).user
       user.should be_a Twitter::User
     end
     it "returns nil when user is not set" do
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@
       user.should be_nil
     end
     it "has a status when status is set" do
-      user = Twitter::Status.new('text' => 'Tweet text.', 'user' => {}).user
+      user = Twitter::Status.new(:text => 'Tweet text.', :user => {}).user
       user.status.should be_a Twitter::Status
       user.status.text.should eq 'Tweet text.'
     end
@@ -277,14 +277,14 @@
     it "returns an Array of Entity::UserMention when entities are set" do
       user_mentions_hash = [
         {
-          'screen_name' => 'sferik',
-          'name' => 'Erik Michaels-Ober',
-          'id_str' => '7505382',
-          'indices' => [0, 6],
-          'id' => 7505382,
+          :screen_name => 'sferik',
+          :name => 'Erik Michaels-Ober',
+          :id_str => '7505382',
+          :indices => [0, 6],
+          :id => 7505382,
         }
       ]
-      user_mentions = Twitter::Status.new('entities' => {'user_mentions' => user_mentions_hash}).user_mentions
+      user_mentions = Twitter::Status.new(:entities => {:user_mentions => user_mentions_hash}).user_mentions
       user_mentions.should be_an Array
       user_mentions.first.should be_an Twitter::Entity::UserMention
       user_mentions.first.indices.should eq [0, 6]
diff --git a/spec/twitter/suggestion_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/suggestion_spec.rb
index a1858bba9..d0845e045 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/suggestion_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/suggestion_spec.rb
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@
 describe Twitter::Suggestion do
 
   before do
-    @suggestion = Twitter::Suggestion.new('slug' => 'art-design')
+    @suggestion = Twitter::Suggestion.new(:slug => 'art-design')
   end
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when slugs are equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Suggestion.new('slug' => 'art-design')
+      other = Twitter::Suggestion.new(:slug => 'art-design')
       (@suggestion == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when coordinates are not equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Suggestion.new('slug' => 'design-art')
+      other = Twitter::Suggestion.new(:slug => 'design-art')
       (@suggestion == other).should be_false
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/trend_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/trend_spec.rb
index 596d6126f..3263e37a5 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/trend_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/trend_spec.rb
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@
 describe Twitter::Trend do
 
   before do
-    @trend = Twitter::Trend.new('name' => '#sevenwordsaftersex')
+    @trend = Twitter::Trend.new(:name => '#sevenwordsaftersex')
   end
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when names are equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Trend.new('name' => '#sevenwordsaftersex')
+      other = Twitter::Trend.new(:name => '#sevenwordsaftersex')
       (@trend == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when coordinates are not equal" do
-      other = Twitter::Trend.new('name' => '#sixwordsaftersex')
+      other = Twitter::Trend.new(:name => '#sixwordsaftersex')
       (@trend == other).should be_false
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/twitter/user_spec.rb b/spec/twitter/user_spec.rb
index 6ed8a729e..48dc47e4c 100644
--- a/spec/twitter/user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/twitter/user_spec.rb
@@ -4,25 +4,25 @@
 
   describe "#==" do
     it "returns true when ids and classes are equal" do
-      user = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
+      user = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
       (user == other).should be_true
     end
     it "returns false when classes are not equal" do
-      user = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::Status.new('id' => 1)
+      user = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::Status.new(:id => 1)
       (user == other).should be_false
     end
     it "returns false when ids are not equal" do
-      user = Twitter::User.new('id' => 1)
-      other = Twitter::User.new('id' => 2)
+      user = Twitter::User.new(:id => 1)
+      other = Twitter::User.new(:id => 2)
       (user == other).should be_false
     end
   end
 
   describe "#created_at" do
     it "returns a Time when created_at is set" do
-      user = Twitter::User.new('created_at' => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
+      user = Twitter::User.new(:created_at => "Mon Jul 16 12:59:01 +0000 2007")
       user.created_at.should be_a Time
     end
     it "returns nil when created_at is not set" do
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 
   describe "#status" do
     it "returns a Status when status is set" do
-      status = Twitter::User.new('status' => {}).status
+      status = Twitter::User.new(:status => {}).status
       status.should be_a Twitter::Status
     end
     it "returns nil when status is not set" do
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
       status.should be_nil
     end
     it "includes a User when user is set" do
-      status = Twitter::User.new('screen_name' => 'sferik', 'status' => {}).status
+      status = Twitter::User.new(:screen_name => 'sferik', :status => {}).status
       status.user.should be_a Twitter::User
       status.user.screen_name.should eq 'sferik'
     end