We live in a world full of doubt and The Alchemist, a novel written by Paulo Coelho, surely grasps that concept. This is what human nature is to be cautious around the unknown and to not trust until the trust is earned, at least that is what I believe in. In the novel the alchemist tells Santiago that “when you possess great treasures within you and try and tell others of them, seldom you are believed.” The alchemist tells santiago this after he informs the tribal warriors that he has a philosopher's stone, a stone that can turn any metal into gold, and a drink that can make anyone life forever but they just laugh at him. Another time is when the boy is doubted when he informs the chief of the oasis that a group of tribal warriors is going
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.
Perhaps the most dangerous example of trusting your perception lies in the character of Thénardier a thief and con-man. He is a man who will change your perception of him to get what he wants. In the book he did this to a Monsieur Fabantou who was really Jean Valjean, while he was under the name of Jondrette. In preparing for Fabantou He then tells Jean “I owe four quarters, a year! That is 60 Francs,” (page 180). In this case quarters means the rent for his family’s apartment. Another character Marius, who is watching the affair from his apartment next door, knows the truth. “Jondrette lied. Four quarters would have made but forty franks and he could not have owed four since it was not six months since Marius had paid for two,”(180). Fabantou perceiving that Thénardier was in need of money gave it to him. This would cost him as this, as seen demonstrated, was false. Even worse, now knowing that Fabantou had money Thénardier would threaten him with several men and a knife. If Fabantou had been more alert ...
In the novel The Alchemist it tells a story of a boy who is in search of his Personal Legend. A Personal Legend is the means in which a person can live a satisfying life, in other words ones destiny in life. As the novel states the only way to achieve perfection is if all natural things continuously undergo a cycle of achieving their Personal Legend, evolving into a higher being with a new Personal Legend, and then pursuing that new goal. This concept, that the individualistic pursuit of a Personal Legend exists as life’s dominant—perhaps only—spiritual demand, lies at the center of the unique theology of The Alchemist. As we see when Santiago must give up his flock, material success and even love pose obstacles to Santiago achieving his Personal
His bravery is shown when he must turn himself into the wind to save his life. "The simum blew that day as it had never blown before. For generations thereafter, the Arabs recounted the legend of a boy who had turned himself into the wind, almost destroying a military camp, in defiance of the most powerful chief in the desert," (Coelho 157). Santiago knows he can’t perform this task, but decides to listen to the alchemist and not give into his fears. Santiago’s determination is shown in the novel when he decides to continue on his journey through the desert. "He suddenly felt tremendously happy. He could always go back to being a shepherd. He could always become a crystal salesman again. Maybe the world had other hidden treasures, but he had a dream, and he had met with a king. That doesn't happen to just anyone," (67). Santiago knows he will have to travel through an entire desert and face many unforeseen issues to get his treasure, but thought it would be worth it to follow his dreams. Throughout the book The Alchemist, Santiago is a brave and determined
In light of this knowledge of the inconclusiveness of our beliefs, it is a duty placed on everyone of us to be wary of trusting oneself more than you trust another. Remember, one is what one has been shown to be. One knows only what he has seen.
Have you ever encountered problems while trying to fulfill a goal in your life? In the book The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, a shepherd boy named Santiago overcomes obstacles to reach his personal legend. Throughout the book Santiago encounters many friends to help him fulfill his destiny. Santiago encounters many problems throughout the story. He overcomes them with the help of his friends and his wife-to-be. These problems shape Santiago into a dignified man of many traits.
In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho an Andalusian boy named Santiago leaves Spain to travel to Egypt in order to achieve his Personal Legend. During his journey he meets four people, a Gypsy, a King named Melchizedek, an Englishman and an Alchemist, all of whom help Santiago along his journey towards his Personal Legend. However, only the King and the Alchemist teach Santiago lessons that he can learn from and use along his journey. The King teaches Santiago two lessons, to follow omens and that it is not always about the destination but that it is also about the journey. The Alchemist teaches Santiago to listen to his heart for guidance, what the Language of the World is and what the Soul of the World is. He eventually arrives in Egypt after
In the book The Alchemist by Paul Coelho, a boy named Santiago decides to follow his recurring dream to find a treasure. Throughout his journey, he meets several people that change and teach him lessons that help him on his journey. The most prominent people he meets on his quest show him the importance of following his dreams.
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 things that will help him get to his treasure.
Based on the play Aulularia, the value most needed for an ideally functioning Roman society is trust between neighbors. In order to prevent conflict and violence and to maintain peace and unity, Roman society placed an emphasis on cooperation and trust amongst its citizens. This is shown by Megadorus’ offer to marry Phaedria, without a dowry as he believed Euclio could not afford to give one, “She shall be married: I’ll help you out” (Act II, Scene 2). This was uncommon in ancient Rome, and was a benevolent act on Megadorus’ part. However, Euclio’s greed and paranoia lead to distrust in his fellow citizens and created a disturbance in the community and in the joy of a wedding day. He lashes out physically and verbally those close to him- making threats toward his housekeeper, Staphyla, (Act I, Scene 1) and violently attacking the cooks attempting to prepare for his daughter’s wedding (Act III, Scenes 1, 2, and 3) and accusing characters of attempting to steal his gold when they greet him too warmly, lamenting “Why, even now, hard as I try to keep every one of them from finding out, it seems as if everyone knew: it seems as if every one has a heartier way of saying good day than they used to” (Act II, Scene 2).
The Alchemist conveyed the up-most truthful meaning of santiago’s personal legend by teaching him the soul of the earth. This stage helped santiago and the Alchemist are talking doing what your personal legend is and also doing exactly what your personal legend desires are when they speak in terms of listening to one’s heart. “Whenever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure. Santiago takes initiative on his dreams and pursue them regardless of love affairs and the hurt that comes along with it. The stage encouraged and also motivated santiago to find his treasure and make a better life for fatima and
He notices the book was so strange because it talked about the mercury, salt, dragon, and king. However, there was one idea that all things are the manifestation of one thing only. It also contains the most important text in the literature of an alchemy contained only a few lines, and had been recorded on the surfaces of an emerald. The book that attracts Santiago interest was the stories about the famous alchemists that dedicated their entry lives to purifying metals. The alchemist believed if a metal were heated for many years, it would free and became individual properties. Since the languages with which all things communicated, the soul of the world allowed them to understand anything on earth. They called that discovery the master work. The boy learned that the master works consist with two parts, which is the liquid portion knows as the Elixir of Life, which use to cure an illness and kept the alchemist from getting older. While the others is solid parts is called the Philosopher’s stone. It was an important thing to turn any metal into gold. Santiago became more excited to learn in alchemy when he heard about gold. Unfortunately he became lost, when he wanted to learns how to achieve the master
“ Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart”(159). This is what the alchemist said to the main character. The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, tells a story of a boy named Santiago, who goes on a long journey to discover his personal legend. As Santiago goes on his journey to pursue his personal legend, he is faced with many challenges, as well as left to make difficult decisions that change him forever. As Santiago travels the world, he becomes a hero. In The Alchemist, Santiago shows characteristics, as well as archetypal characteristics that make him a hero. Santiago displays kindness, bravery and wisdom; also he is considered a hero because he displays many characteristics of an archetypal hero. He displays archetypal characteristics such as: receiving supernatural help, proving himself many times and receiving an apotheosis.
3 Spanish Coins...Though they have been spent they remind me that my father had somewhat approved of my desires to travel. He had told me that had he not been responsible for a family he too would have liked to travel and that he is would like me to use the 3 spanish coin to buy myself a flock of sheep and travel the land. And though the coins are simply material wealth, the fact my father had given them to me was not only omen that I would be able to travel but a sign that he had approved og my decisions.
The Alchemist takes his leave of Santiago, who continues on to the Pyramids. Once there, Santiago is attacked by robbers. Asked what he is doing there, Santiago replies that he had a dream of a treasure buried at the base of the Pyramids. One of the robbers laughs at him, and says that he has had the exact same dream, except that in his the treasure was buried in Spain. Santiago realizes that the treasure was back in Spain the entire time. Then Santiago is digging a hole at the base of the tree where he had had his first dream. Sure enough, he finds a trunk full of gold–enough for him and Fatima to live happily for a long time.