What metaphors are used in The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor by Flannery O'Connor?

The the story, You Can't Be Any Poorer Than Dead, the imaginary "friend" who converses steadily with Tarwater serves as a metaphor for his conscience. The two remember many things about the old man, and his definitive wishes about being buried in the wooden coffin he made some time earlier. Tarwater seems doubtful the old man is dead, but he is. When Tarwater drinks himself into a stupor the kindly Negro handyman buries the old man properly.