The motif of El Dorado illustrates the diverse aspirations and quests that drive human behavior. Characters in the narrative chase their own versions of El Dorado. This pursuit is deeply personal, shaped by each individual’s desires, beliefs, and societal values, highlighting the subjective nature of what is considered the “ultimate prize.”

Yannes’s quest for diamonds and gold represents a literal interpretation of El Dorado, equating it with material wealth and success. His journey is motivated by the conventional belief that happiness and security can be achieved through tangible riches. Conversely, Fray Pedro seeks a spiritual El Dorado through the spread of Christianity among Indigenous peoples. His quest is not for material gain but for spiritual fulfillment, aiming to convert others to his faith as a means of saving their souls. The narrator seeks a place unencumbered by the constraints of modernity and capitalism, where he can pursue his notions of authenticity in art and life.

The narrative uses these contrasting quests to critique the romanticized notion of the hero’s journey, often depicted in literature and culture as a path filled with challenges leading to a significant achievement or discovery. Through its characters, the story examines the varied and complex outcomes of these quests, revealing the multifaceted, sometimes ambiguous, and often challenging nature of pursuing one’s personal El Dorado.