Theater plays

The theater plays that Marc is invited to by his patients represent the self-obsession of his patients, who are largely from the privileged upper class. Marc is regularly invited to artistic events of many types, but regrets plays most of all because it is difficult to simply leave them early, as he can during a movie premiere.

Liver

The visual outward effects of liver health represent Marc's ability to see through the lies of his patients. Many of his patients demonstrate visual symptoms of alcoholism that are plainly obvious to Marc, but the patients deny that they drink to excess.

Sick donkey

The obviously sick donkey that Marc and his family sees at the campground represents, for Marc, the futility of camping, or attempting to operate a campground. Marc is not charmed by the rustic nature of camping, and sees the campground's inability to keep...