Part 1, Section 1: Summary

Santiago is a shepherd boy living in the Andalusian hills in Spain. He leads a contented life. One day, as he sleeps under a sycamore tree near an abandoned church, he dreams of a hidden treasure buried near the pyramids of Egypt. The next morning Santiago tells his sheep about a woman he is in love with, the one whom he intends to meet in a few days.

Part 1, Section 1: Analysis

In this section we meet the novel’s central character, Santiago, a shepherd. Seen in the context of Christianity, his profession assumes immense significance since Jesus is often metaphorically called the shepherd.

This section sheds light on the importance of dreams. Later in the book we learn that the dream is about a hidden treasure in Egypt, and it is Santiago’s journey to Egypt that will form the core of the book. The long, arduous journey Santiago undertakes is like a pilgrimage; it leads him to epiphanies and a profound understanding of the self and the world. It is also noteworthy that he has this dream near a church, a religious site, and then embarks on a journey where he ultimately finds God. Ironically, however, his journey begins only after he rejects the opportunity to become a priest. The sycamore tree is also significant. It is native to Egypt, Santiago’s ultimate destination. Notably, Egypt is also the land that finds reference in the discourse of three major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

That Santiago sleeps with his book as a pillow perhaps hints that books, at times, are more useful as a pillow than as a source of knowledge. Later in the novel we meet the Englishman who relies on bookish knowledge alone. In contrast, Santiago learns a lot more just by being observant and open to the many experiences that life has to offer.

Santiago’s ability to communicate with his sheep also possibly suggests that the barriers of language are not insurmountable. This is something we again witness later in his interaction with the candy seller.