Doctor Leander as a magician metaphor
Doctor Leander is described by the narrator as holding his patients in his spell like a magician. Those patients are too weak to have a say in their life so they put themselves into his magic hands to heal and protect them.
Herr Spinell as a child simile
Frau Kloterjahn is described as listening to Herr Spinell with exaggerated eagerness as one does when a child is about to tell their story. It means that Frau Kloterjahn doesn't take Herr Spinell as seriously as he takes her, even though, later on she will contribute much more meaning to his words than when she does at the moment.
Words as food for thought metaphor
"Yes, he gave her food for thought."
It is about Frau Kloterjahn finding herself thinking about Herr Spinell's words quite often, more often than she thought she would. His words made her question her life, her choices and about the world in general.
