Sheep only appear in the opening and closing chapters of the novel, but they always represent The Search for Identity and Purpose that consumes Jack. In Chapter 1, Jack believes that herding is his entire world. The sheep represent Jack’s sense of cultural identity and his heritage as a border collie, and Jack’s single-minded desire to learn his craft shows that he does not yet understand the finer nuances of finding one’s life purpose. When he finds new sheep to herd in the final chapter, this event symbolizes the idea that despite the many ways in which he has learned and grown, his core identity remains unchanged. Though Jack learns that he must fulfill a greater purpose than herding, taking care of sheep is still a significant aspect of his self-image. Having new sheep in his life therefore suggests that part of Jack will never change, even as he is affected by the many changes that direct the course of his life.

During Jack’s many adventures, the lessons he has learned about herding stay with him and influence his choices. Rather than herding sheep, Jack herds many different creatures toward their destination. First, Jack herds the Goat Man’s goats, even though the animals don’t need to be herded.