What metaphors are used in Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland?

In Part III, Andy's narration notes the traffic, where he sees the fence that serves as the border and realizing that he, Claire and Dag have chosen to live on the more barren side of the metaphoric fence in their lives - "Dag doomed forever to gaze longingly at his sun; Claire forever traversing her sands with her [stick]..."