Meal symbolizes the hunger for authenticity. The lack of connection with others at the table suggests that the narrator feels isolated in her pursuit of meaning.

The horses express a strong desire for freedom. The horses in the story represent the narrator's desire for freedom, instinct, and authenticity. Horses, known for their wildness and strength, symbolize a life unbound by the constraints of society.

The office shows the sterility of modern life.

I read this short story as a critique of artificial societal structures that demand conformity at the expense of individuality and authenticity.