The Alchemist Paulo Coelho Journey

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Paulo Coelho was born on August 24, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coelho grew up as a rebellious teenager who was put into an asylum three times by his parents. While an adult in Spain, he had a spiritual awakening that promoted his writing of The Alchemist. His book has been translated and sold over 65 millions copies- making him hold the title of most copies sold by a living author (“Paulo Coelho”). Coelho ended his law school study to travel; he traveled all across the world to Mexico, South America, North America, and Europe- which is how his spiritual awakening took place (Pallardy). Coelho's main character of The Alchemist also travels and has the same awakening just like him. Coelho left his wife and “normal life” to travel around …show more content…

As his journey comes to a close, he meets the Alchemist. The two travel together but are caught by Arab soldiers in the middle of a war. Santiago has three days to be able to change himself into the wind. Santiago is alarmed and startled, “I’m not afraid of failing. It’s just I don’t know how to turn myself into the wind” (Coelho 146). Although, Santiago is faced with a tough situation, but he realizes that he has to speak with his heart and that he is just like nature- he is part of the wind, the sands, and the seas. Knowing this, he is able to turn himself into the wind and complete his task.
Character
The main character in the story is Santiago. Santiago is a dynamic character who is hard working and strong willed. He is a very curious character who travels the world as shepard to live his dream. Santiago is motivated to find out about his Personal Legend and the Soul of the World; with the help of characters like the mysterious old man and the Alchemist he is able to do so. Discovering about the Soul of the world makes Santiago more observant to his surroundings- even if it to just a single grain of sand. Another character in The Alchemist is the Alchemist himself. The Alchemist is a mysterious man who many do not know personally. He is extremely powerful- especially in the Oasis of which he lives. His function in the novel is to teach Santiago about the Soul of the World and to act as a mentor. The Alchemist …show more content…

Santiago is faced with many fears in his life: getting his fortune told, transforming into the wind, and the fear of losing all his wealth while in Tangier. However with the help of his mentors, he learns that fear guides a person in pursuing his or her dreams. Although, there are other characters who demonstrate the negative side of fear- like the crystal merchant. “The crystal merchant awoke with the day, and felt the same anxiety. . . he had been in the same place for thirty years. . . it was too late to change anything” (Coelho 47). The crystal merchant demonstrates a character where fear rules one’s life. As a result, the crystal merchant lives unhappy the rest of his life and fears that if he changes his life he will have nothing to live

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