Dreams are an important symbol in the novella, signifying fate and the issue of agency. The day after the wedding, Santiago wakes up with a sore head. He has had little rest but, during his short time asleep, his dreams were filled with birds and trees. As Santiago’s mother Plácida explains, Santiago often dreams about trees. Believing that she has some skill for interpreting dreams, she is pleased to hear about her son’s dreams as trees are considered a good sign. Birds, conversely, are an ominous warning. Placida’s interpretation of her son’s dream was misguided, focusing on an unimportant aspect while ignoring the real issue. In this way, her interpretation of Santiago’s dream represents the mistake that many people in the town will make. Just like Plácida, people will be presented with a story—such as the twins’ plan to kill Santiago—and they will interpret it incorrectly.

The concept of a dream as a prophecy is also representative of the assurances the people of the town give to themselves to absolve themselves of complicity in the murder. Plácida wants to believe that dreams have power, as this removes some of her own responsibility and agency. If her son has had a portentous dream, then she does not need to do anything to improve his situation as good luck will inevitably await him in the future.