Good morning Mr. Pietens and class, throughout the term we’ve been focussing on the concept of discovery and its impacts and outcomes on individuals, reaching a clear understanding of the notion and its multiple facets. Discovery is a transitional and transformative process which influences the values and perceptions of individuals, leading to new beliefs and ideas. There are different types of discovery and they come about in different ways; whether it is intentional or unintentional, physical or metaphysical, discovery allows us to gain a new understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The play Away by Michael Gow (1986) and the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1988) allegorically encompass these ideas, depicting how surpassing critical hindrances can catalyse greater self discovery, prompting change and development within an individual and their surroundings. Furthermore, both texts explore how individuals often limit themselves by refusing to accept alternative perspectives and letting fear obstruct their path, hence limiting their achievement of discovery. Despite many differences such as content and context, both …show more content…
Despite various differences, both Away and The Alchemist explore this concept through compelling allegorical representations of life and self discovery, narrating the course of two physical journeys which culminated into cathartic inner discoveries. Discovery is a complex journey which sometimes can be obstructed by both internal and external forces and, as exemplified in both texts, overcoming critical obstacles is vital in completing the quest of discovery. By exploring the importance of overstepping psychological limitations and fear during the course of our lives, Away and The Alchemist exemplify how discoveries can radically change us and the way in which we view life and ourselves, ultimately leading to new perceptions and
The most significant journeys are always the ones that transform us, from which we emerge changed in some way. In Paulo Coelho’s modern classic novel The Alchemist, and Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken, the journey that is undertaken by the central exponents leaves both with enlightening knowledge that alters their lives irrevocably. In stark contradiction to this, Ivan Lalic’s poem Of Eurydice , delves into the disruptive and negative force of knowledge, in contrast to The Alchemist which details an antithesis of this point relative to knowledge. In all journeys, the eventuality of knowledge is a transformative one.
In society, there is a thing called a hero’s journey. It is when our destiny is before us, and with the choices we make, depict our course for the rest of our lives. In the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Cinderella Man directed by Ron Howard show how the hero’s journey affects Santiago and Jim Braddock lives.
In The Alchemist Paulo Coelho presents a character, Santiago, torn between following tradition and his Personal Legend. Santiago tries to live true to his Personal Legend, which is a path pursued by those who strive to fulfill their purpose in life. Yet throughout the novel tradition, a motif, presents itself as a roadblock holding Santiago back from reaching his dreams. Coelho juxtaposes tradition against Personal Legend to illustrate its purely individual nature and the necessity of the acceptance of change to reach one’s dreams and goals.
The progressive nature of our humanity is demonstrated through the independent development of new morals and perspectives within each individual throughout their day to day life. This natural inclination to evolve and expand, physically and psychologically, is the process of discovery. The importance of discovery is evident in Ivan Mahoney’s 2011 trilogical documentary ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’ and is further supported by Matt Ottley’s 2008 graphic novel ‘Requiem for a Beast’. Both texts explore fresh experiences that allow individuals to reassess their former perspectives of self and society. These transformations can be a result of challenging undertakings, conflict between differing views, and physical isolation. (don’t list) It
“Only time will tell”. This common phrase states that the truth and true essence of everything will be revealed as time endures. Written in 700 B.C.E, Homer’s nostalgic epic poem, The Odyssey, has inspired many writers to follow. Nearly 30 centuries later, this classic indirectly influenced Paulo Coelho's writing of The Alchemist. Despite the myriad differences on the surface, The Odyssey and The Alchemist have many connecting parallels. The protagonist in each of the examples of the hero’s journey learned countless lessons along the way that can be taught to everyone. The most prominent of which are the dangers of fear, the importance of perseverance, and the seriousness of pursuing what you love.
Discovery can encompass the experience of facing confronting and meaningful situations that have the potential to alter an individual’s perspective of the world around them. The texts Go Back To Where You Came From (2011), The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, adapted as a film by Brian Percival (2013), To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) and I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr. (1963) explore the universal experience of discovery through the outcome of emotional and intellectual discoveries conveyed through the audience, purpose and context of the texts. The documentary series, Go Back to Where You Came From explores the notion of discovery though its audience, purpose and context as the authentic refugee experience encourages the audience
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” (Coelho 23), these are the words an old king spoke to Santiago. This phrase constantly runs through Santiago’s mind while on his search for his treasure. Santiago, the novel’s protagonist, begins as a quiet sheep herder who has a recurring dream about being transported to the pyramids in Egypt by a child. Once Santiago met the old king, he decides to pursue his dream, find his treasure, and realize his destiny. Throughout The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Santiago embodies curiosity, determination, and a naive nature through events that occur while on his search for his treasure.
A field guide to getting lost’ is a book written by author Rebecca where she talks about life and all of the events large and small that can change how a person views the world. Through the words on the page the reader gains an idea of how Solnit thinks about the world and how her past has shaped her. Solnit is a wanderer who is always curious about what lies beyond the next horizon. The theme of wandering, and of the eternal quest runs throughout the first story and Solnit makes it clear that curiosity is the main factor that has shaped her outlook on life. Journeys of discovery are important in helping humanity discover themselves and it is this self discovery that Solnit focuses on in her stories.
It doesn 't take an incredible amount of insight to recognize that humans have a natural tendency to yearn for what they don 't have, a chance to go beyond and discover the world past what they are raised to know. It also doesn 't take a genius to know that in resisting that natural inclination toward the search of excitement in discovery is riddled with disastrous outcomes. In Edith Wharton 's Ethan Frome, Wharton explores the catastrophic consequences of defying one 's predestined proclivity for new discoveries through three different characters who 's worlds collide in one terrible accident that leaves nothing but the bitter and savage bite of regret. Throughout her novella, Wharton proves that moving on and continuing one 's discovery of the world is the only distinction between someone truly living and someone simply existing.
Discoveries can be unexpected and sudden or they can transform from a process of careful and calculated planning evoked by curiosity, and wonder. These discoveries can lead individuals to search for meaning through a series of experiences. Simon Nasht’s documentary Frank Hurley - The Man Who Made History (2004) captures the experiences of adventurer, Frank Hurley as he explores the importance of discovery through the challenges that evoke individuals to transform through a process of journeys of discovery and exploration. John Keats’ poem ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’ (1816) portrays the persona discovering Chapman’s translation of Homer’s epic poems evoking a transformative process from a passive reader of literature to be stimulated
In the story The Alchemist, about a boy who goes on an adventure finding his personal legend. The Alchemist is about a young teenage boy who finds his personal legend and overcomes many challenges to get to Egypt. He dreams about Egypt but doesn’t know what his dreams mean until he meets an old man to follow his personal legend and see the marvels of the world. In Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, he presents the topics of Discovery and Success.
Curious, courageous, young, adventurous: these are all words to describe Santiago, the protagonist in the novel The Alchemist. In this novel, Paulo Coelho develops Santiago’s character as a young boy who goes on an adventure to find his life’s purpose. Through the hero’s journey, Paulo Coelho insists that both internal and external struggles often cannot stop people from achieving their goals, ultimately encouraging people to fulfill self discovery and understand who they truly are.
There are countless heroes throughout literature. Their stories are all timeless and meaningful. The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, is home to one of these heroes with an incredible quest. Interestingly, it is quite common to see quests and journeys throughout all literature. In the Alchemist, the protagonist, Santiago, goes through many stages of being a hero such as, call to adventure, refusal of the call, supernatural aid, crossing the threshold, and road of trials.
A critical element to the transformative effect of discovery for Charlie is his self-reflection. “When I write letters, I spend the next two days thinking about what I figured out in my letters.” By adding this layer of self-reflection, its becoming evident to the reader that though Charlie is presented as a naïve character, he is aware of the emotional and transformational journey that he is going through, to the extent that he actually encourages it through making an effort to “participate.” Through the technique of first person narration, Charlie is able to communicate about his discovery directly to the reader, showing his true feelings and emotions and therefore providing us with a clearer view of his self-transformation. As the letters are self-reflective, the reader is offered a greater understanding upon the way in which certain discoveries affect Charlie. I
“Discoveries inevitably lead to new perceptions of the world, new values and new understanding of oneself and others”