Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a symbol of the modern conveniences that Lucas enjoys in the city that keep him from realizing his dream of living far away from other people. He muses on the benefits of living in the forest or some other remote location, but he is unwilling to give up Pad Thai and other markers of city life.

Frying pan

The frying pan symbolizes Lucas’ inability to completely isolate himself from his neighbors and the rest of the world. Having neighbors is a challenging endeavor for him because he eschews small talk. The co-op board of the apartment makes renewed contact with Lucas to conduct inspections of the residents’ frying pans after the recycling mishap.

Pile

The pile of items outside the apartment building initially appears to be a heap of junk. Once Lucas makes genuine connections with his neighbors, he no longer sees...