Final answer:
Santiago sells his flock to sustain his family, but the money he obtains brings him into a moral struggle, symbolizing not just fiscal currency but a complex burden of conscience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The protagonist Santiago, after having to sell his flock one by one for the sustainability of his family, faces a difficult moral dilemma when he comes into possession of money. The passages imply a profound spiritual crisis, as the once proud owner of a flock struggles with the concept of theft and the meaning of that money.
Clearly, the meaning of the money transitions from being a means of relief to his family to becoming a symbol of moral conflict. Consumed by the desire and necessity to provide for his family, the money that Santiago receives is not just monetary currency but also a burden that lays heavy on his conscience.
As the narrative unfolds, the mentions of money touch upon several themes, such as the necessity versus morality, the guilt associated with theft, and the spiritual struggle that comes from dealing with poverty and desperation.
Santiago's money, which was intended to alleviate his family's hunger and fulfill their basic needs, ends up representing a complex emotional and ethical quandary for him.