it made him not believe in what was happening in the “spiritual world”. It took a lot to make the boy start believing, and eventually, never stop. The King was the one who saved Santiago from turn down his personal legend, “ ‘They are called Urim and Thummim. The black signifies ‘yes’, and the white ’no’. When you are unable to read the omens, they will help you to do so …’ ”(Coelho 30). After his conversation with the king, he believes in anything that will have to do with his personal legend. From
the destiny and also the fate that is controlling our future. Melchizedek influenced Santiago at most because he was one of the first characters to display magical powers. He was also the character who gave Santiago the magical stones, Urim and Thummim. Urim and Thummim are the stones that he gave to Santiago, one was white and one was black and it helped Santiago answer yes or no. The Melchizedek was one of Santiago’s closest friends and really influenced Santiago’s life and also on his journey to
The two books by Markus Zusak and Paulo Coelho tells the stories of two characters, Liesel Meminger and Santiago, each in their own respective stories. In The Alchemist, Santiago’s story is a much lighter tale with an overall optimistic and adventurous air. He journeys from Spain all the way to Egypt and back before his adventure ends. Zusak’s The Book Thief, sharply contrasts Coelho’s story with the much darker and dangerous world of Nazi Germany. In The Alchemist, Coelho begins Santiago’s journey
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. Santiago clearly demonstrates
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles”(Christopher Reeves) continuing to strive forward. This statement particularly adheres to Santiago, the protagonist, in the novel The Alchemist a novel written by Paulo Coelho. The primary basis of the plot line centers around Santiago, a mundane shepherd, whom obtains visions of the great pyramids of Giza venturing off in hopes of discovering a tangible treasure. The aspects of this unprecedented
represent different things but do the same thing during Santiago’s journey. “They are called Urim and Thummim. The black signifies ‘yes’, and the white ‘no.’ When you are unable to read the omens, they will help you do so. Always ask an objective question.” This quote means when ever Santiago is not sure of what to do that he is supposed to ask an objective question and pull a stone out of the bag. Urim and Thummim help Santiago make choices throughout the journey of discovering his personal legend. During
Gold: In The Alchemist, gold can symbolize knowledge. An alchemist is so someone who strives to be able to turn lead metal into gold. They are considered “knowledgeable” an “wise” if they are able to accomplish that. In The Alchemist it states,” …For wise men, gold is the metal that evolved the furthest.” It continues on stating, “Men have never understood the words of the wise.” When the alchemist says this, he is stating how only wise men can understand how alchemy. Regular “men”, have yet to understand
In the novel The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, Santiago looks to find a treasure in the unknown world, he must go to the pyramids in Egypt where his treasure is at. He begins his journey with the help of a gypsy who confirms him there’s a treasure, he then is helped to surpass the obstacles he faces in his journey by the old king Melchizedek, the crystal merchant, an englishman he meets on his path, and the alchemist who guides him to the pyramids. Throughout his journey Santiago learns many valuable
The Book of Mormon is the records of the people on the land of ancient America. These records were engraved on metal plates, and was later quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian names Mormon. Although many people who don’t believe in the Book have said many bad things about it, indeed, the Book of Mormon is very important to our church. In the past, others have referred to the book as “Joseph Smith’s Gold Bible” or “the Mormon Bible”, but in the church, members have been taught to call the book
Santiago that he is aware of why he is in Tarifa, and where he is headed. Melchizedek is the first one responsible for explaining personal legends, omens, the Soul of the World, and beginner’s luck, to Santiago. Also, Melchizedek gives Santiago Urim and Thummim, the rocks used to help him make decisions based on omens during his journey. The king also had magical powers, which helped him convince Santiago to follow his dream and find "his" legend. Also, in relation to his powers, he explained he often
money in order to go to Egypt. He meets a man who calls himself the King of Salem. He tells the boy to not give up on his dream and continue on his journey to find his Personal Legend. The old man gives the boy two stones that go by the name of Urim and Thummim. He firsts gets money by selling wavers in order to travel to Northern Africa. When he had arrived to his destination,
Through the Desert/Soul?? “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
There are two stones one is black which means yes and its name is Urim, and the second is white which means no and its name is Thummim. One omen is that when you follow your heart someone else will have their own choice to destroy your dream but the universe will help you. When Santiago leaves Fatima because he is following his dream to find treasure
Discovering and learning was written all throughout the book, The Alchemist. A young boy who was once sought out to be a priest went on to fulfil his dream of traveling. Along his journey, he meets many important people who lend him their knowledge to help him make it through his long trip. The young boy, Santiago, took this journey to see the world. Santiago is a shepherd who has high hopes of traveling the world. Along his travels, he has the same dream twice in a row. This dream that reoccurred
“…People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of” (23). This quote from the novel The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, serves as motivation for both the main character, Santiago, and the reader to strive for their mission in life regardless of the many adversities that may arise to stop them. Coelho crafts this novel with thematic depth and an innovative style that includes symbolic characters, which undoubtedly culminates in a novel of literary merit. Coelho embeds thematic
A study done late July, 2016, by “Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities,” an online career resource website, took a survey of 2,000 adults to see if the job they had stood up to the job they wanted as a child. Of those 2,000 people only about 22% were able to fulfill their childhood dreams. Reading fiction is where dreams are created and eyes are opened to a whole new world of possibilities. In the book, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, a boy by the name of Santiago goes on a quest to seek out
When the stones Urim and Thummim fall out of Santiago’s pocket, he is reminded of the King and his personal legend. He decides to continue pursuing his personal legend. When Santiago decides to head to Egypt, he joins a caravan in order to cross the desert. He meets an Englishman
In his first voyage in 1492, when Christopher Columbus set out to search for Asia, he ended up landing in America on a small island in the Caribbean Sea, which he confidently thought was Asia. He then made several other voyages to the New World in search for riches, thinking that he was exploring an already explored land, but he had found the greatest riches of them all, undiscovered land, America. This shows that when one sets out on a mission, they face different challenges on the journey but in
Muhammad Ali Jinnah famously once said, “You will have to make up for the smallness of your size by your courage and selfless devotion to duty, for it is not life that matters, but the courage, fortitude and determination you bring to it.” The book, The Alchemist, was written in 1983 A.D. while, The Odyssey, was written at the end of the 8th century, between 750 and 650 B.C. In both books, the main characters Odysseus and Santiago, go on long journeys. Both journeys are for the characters benefit
Both writers have a dismal and desirable theme to their writing. Two characters are desperate to find happiness in more than what they already have. The narrator's chose to write both pieces of writing with a descriptive writing style. In Shakespeare's “Sonnet XXIX” and Coelho's The Alchemist, there are many instances of symbolism that contribute to the portrayal of two characters who covet. With the use of irony, many times one may assume that the boy or the narrator has given up, however they