What is Norman Bowker's repeating driving in circles around the lake most likely symbolize?

What does moon shadow think about where the tang people live (text evidence)

That alligator hungry. vittles very scarce that time a season. his belly be pinchin him hard, now. but bruh deer is fat, and so he is in heavy trouble. the alligator there in front of him. the beagles there behind him. what bruh deer gone do? he sees the alligator and he hears the beagles. how does the author readers understand what the word pinchin means?

The process in which applications are reviewed based on academic performance completion of rigorous course work and extracurricular activities is called