In the Bedroom
A tells of her sister coming to live with them and that she was drunk on the floor most of the time. This is a metaphor that the issues of the family will always be yours when you allow them into your life, and/or do nothing to help them get onto their feet.
The Son
The Son in the play is a metaphor for Albee's torment in the relationship with his mother and father. He like the Son in the play left home at 18, and never found forgiveness with his parents.
Three Tall Women
The play is a metaphor for the power of memories. In the case of this drama, though, the memories do not serve as happiness recalled, but instead as revelations of a life made of the consequences of ones actions and inaction and how happiness faded and did not return.
Letters
Albee gives only letters to name the characters. This is a metaphor that this is the same woman only a different facet, and also that he didn't really know the woman enough to give her a name.
The End
A's monologue at the end of the play is a metaphor for the fact that her life is not going to get better, that no drama will create a false reality. The only happiness to come is the end of her life and she knows this.
