According to dream symbolism the almond tree which is what Santiago dreams of
“in a tinfoil airplane and flying through the almond trees without bumping into anything”
is symbolic of an impending wedding, joy, and happiness. Since his death occurs after the wedding of Angela Vicario, this would be considered foreshadowing.
Arguably, the symbolism would be that his soul will go wandering away after his murder. However, there is more to Santiago's trees. Both the almond and timber trees are representatives of wealth, happiness, and joy. They are very strong and beautiful trees, which may also be representative of Santiago's own nature as a human being. After all, it is more than likely (although it is never absolutely resolved) that all that happened to him was entirely unfair.
Another ironic fact about dreaming of these trees is that, while they are meant to represent happiness, Santiago's ending is anything but happy. Yet one of Santiago's salient traits is his optimistic outlook on everything, his natural ability to feel joy. This is what makes his murder all the more horrifying to those who loved him best.
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