What metaphors are used in City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende?

Coming of age is an underlying metaphor in the narrative. Alex ages only a few weeks over the course of the story, but he matures a great deal, making the coming of age theme important in this story. Early in the story, Alex becomes very angry when his father tells him that he has to spend a few weeks with Kate. He says that he is fifteen and argues that his age means his father should have consulted him rather than making decisions for him. While some of Alex's action's can be put down to his worry about his mother, it seems that he is really childish and self-absorbed in many ways.