Santiago's Journey In The Alchemist

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Out of all the decisions and choices life presents itself with, which one will be a stepping stone to inner happiness? The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, is an adventure filled story that answers this question by letting the reader experience the journey of a shepherd boy named Santiago. Throughout his journey, Santiago meets an alchemist who guides him through the desert while teaching him many skills and values along the way. As he traveled, he experienced many different symbols; like Santiago's flock, which he eventually left behind, is a past shadow of himself. Also, while the alchemist was guiding Santiago through the desert, Santiago noticed that it did not only have harsh conditions, but it tested his spirit as well. After all the trials …show more content…

As Santiago's final piece of his journey, it is obvious that the desert was the most significant part, due to him finding his true power since the desert "challenges all men" (Coelho117). Santiago learned of his inner power and the final clue to his treasure in the desert. Not only did he find his inner self, but over the many years that he traveled he matured into a wise young adult. His progression of maturity allowed him to accept his final clue which essentially is a slap to the face, making him travel all the way back to where he began. Trudging through the desert made Santiago like a sponge, soaking up knowledge both from the desert and the Alchemist because Santiago "learned the alchemist's secrets in his travel" (Coelho 154). These newly acquired skills gained from the desert contributed to the overall outcome of the story. His skills taught him how to converse with the wind, which saved his life and saved the journey. Santiago's fate was revealed to him in the desert, and the only way he knew that he had the will power to continue was through the word "maktub," which, translated, it means that fate will reveal itself and let us unite. Many people ,such as Fatima, told Santiago this phrase and reminded him that if they were to be together, fate would allow them to. Fatima was not only a love interest in the story, but convinced Santiago that his legend was worth all the trials. Without the testing desert, Santiago would not have been able to learn all the things he needed to, which would allow him to accept his

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