What are the motifs in Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays by David Sedaris?

Ambition is a motif in the story. Many of the characters in "Barrel Fever" by David Sedaris confront ambition, whether it is a strong characteristic or a non-existent one.

Don, the main character in "Don's Story," has no ambition for the fourteen years since losing his job at a local cafeteria. Don often stays in his room all day and flatly refuses to get a job. Don claims that he is preparing to take Hollywood by storm. Don's parents scoff.