Roman Emperor and philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, long ago articulated, “Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart”(Aurelius VI, 39) . Many believe that events experienced throughout life are inevitable due to predestiny. In other words, the universal principle or “fate” does not allow the eluding of chance. The tenacious theme of fate is prominent in the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. It narrates the journey of a boy’s travel through the Egyptian desert to fulfill his recurring dream of discovering treasure in the Great pyramids. Throughout, the thoughts of others echo through the mind of Santiago, the main character whose journey is being told through …show more content…
While working for the crystal merchant he makes changes to the shop to gain more business and earn money faster. Once he has earned enough money to buy a new flock of sheep he decides to leave however the crystal merchant asserts; “You brought a new feeling into my crystal shop. But you know that I’m not going to Mecca. Just as you know you’re not going to but your sheep” (76). The crystal merchant’s strong statement resonates with Santiago, and he understands that it is his best interest to not miss out on achieving his dream of going to the pyramids, much like the crystal merchant missed his dream of going to Mecca. Once trekking through the desert Santiago end up in the company of an Englishman, who is in search of the Alchemist. The englishman acquainted himself with Santiago during their ride through the desert by caravan. While in each others presence both Santiago and the englishman shared their dreams with one another. The englishman aftering hearing of Santiago’s dream of going to the pyramids explains, “all things are the manifestation of one thing only” (97). By saying this he means that the manifestation of Santiago’s literal dream is due to fate. This causes Santiago to dig deeper into the meaning of his literal dream and seek out the Alchemist, a person who can turn lead into gold and heal illnesses, as well. Once in association with the Alchemist, Santiago seeks guidance on how he will be able to fulfill his Personal Legend, with fear that he will suffer greatly travelling the rest of the Sahara desert. The Alchemist instructs him: “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s with God and with eternity” (152). Santiago is comforted by these words and feels as though he can achieve his
In contrast, The Alchemist provides hopeful insights when Santiago goes on a journey and discovers new ideas and hidden treasures. He discovers that playing it safe proves more dangerous to his freedom than taking risks. When placed in a life and death situation, Santiago learns that the Soul of the World is shared by everything. In both of these books, the characters have traumatic experiences that eventually create epiphanies that provide hope and
When Santiago started to travel, he remembered that there was a woman in Tarifa that interpreted dreams. He told the woman that he had a dream where he was “in a field with his sheep, when a child appeared and began to play with the animals”, that the child “transported”
The definition of fate is, the development of events beyond a persons control, regarded as determined by supernatural power. Fate is something that is embedded in every human being. Not only does it shaped what we go through daily, but it gives us the final mold of what our life will turn out to be like. We often look to others and to ourselves to search for what pieces can help lead us to our fate. In the book the alchemist Santiago is constantly trying to find his directions to fate.
Because of the alchemist telling him this, he knows his Personal Legend and continues to work for it. Out of the many challenges people face in life, some still just give up instead of persevering. The Alchemist, however, shows that people should never give up, but instead fight through bad situations to complete their goals. Others may think we are just suffering when we persevere, but “no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity” (Coelho 134).
Lessons, Memories, and Values Gained “‘If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. You’ll see that there is life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and that tribesmen fight because they are part of the human race.’” expresses the courageous camel driver (Coelho 87). Braving through the strong and dangerous desert, Santiago listens to those around him, including the leaders of the trip who seem to have no fear of their environment. Leaving behind his role as a shepherd, Santiago embarks on a difficult trip to a treasure seen in his dreams, during which, he receives words of wisdom from many. In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho utilizes the lessons, memories, and values created during Santiago’s journey
Santiago gets trapped because if he does not turn himself into the wind by the deadline he will be killed. Santiago’s mentor, the Alchemist, knows how to turn into the wind but would not tell him. Santiago loses his source of guidance and has to figure it out himself. Another part of the hero’s journey in The Alchemist is when Santiago learns his treasure is back where he started. Santiago makes his way back to Spain to collect his treasure.
Paulo Coehlo’s, The Alchemist, explores the Hero’s Journey through the story of a shepherd, Santiago. Throughout the novel, Santiago becomes more aware of his potential as he pursues his Personal Legend. He faces temptations and obstacles as he develops as a character. The hero crosses the threshold when they leave their old reality in search for a new one. Santiago crosses the threshold by selling his sheep and taking a boat to Africa.
All of these people and objects helped guide Santiago through his journey to get to the pyramids. When Santiago first meets the King of Salem, he is inspiring Santiago to pursue his personal legend. The King says, “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow.
Santiago then tells the alchemist: “My heart is a traitor. It doesn’t want me to go on.” The alchemist replied with a smart answer and said “That makes sense. Naturally, it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.” A fear of uncertainty is what Santiago is feeling and he worries he’ll lose everything he’s accomplished so far.
When the alchemist presented Santiago with the choice to stay at the oasis, or leave and achieve his personal legend, Santiago struggled to find the correct answer. The alchemist let Santiago know that if he stayed in the oasis, for the first year his marriage would be great and so would his marriage. Over time Santiago and Fatima would drift apart, and he would loose his job. But on the other hand, if he decided to voyage into the desert in seek of finding his personal legend he worried that he might loose Fatima. He thought, "...
This is illuminated when the Alchemist says, “‘There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure’” (141). This particular moment shows that even though Santiago has both the ability and the knowledge to achieve his dream, it is impossible to attain it if he fears even attempting to reach it. Consequently, this fear acts as his enemy and a barrier that stands in the way of the meaningful and happy life he is destined to accomplish. Furthermore, another one of his fears is the fear of losing what he believes he has already earned. ” He reminded himself that he had been a shepherd and that he could be a shepherd again.
The Significance of Omens and Dreams in “The Alchemist” Omens and dreams support “The Alchemist’s” theme of connection in the world and fate. The specific theme that omens and dreams support is plainly identified as the “Soul of the World,” and dreams and omens contribute to this theme. The interactions between Santiago and the crystal merchant where Santiago realizes his destiny, Santiago’s shepherding times in which he learns the Language of the World, and meeting the Alchemist himself and uncovering the true mystery of the power within. The thematic significance of dreams themselves begin early in the book.
All individuals have the power to define their own fate if they pursue their dreams, persevere, and have self-confidence. In The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, the protagonist, Santiago, is a humble shepherd boy. His parents urged him to study to enter priesthood but he had always longed to travel (10). He makes the decision to stop studying in seminary and instead becomes a shepherd.
Some people’s ignorance of dreams can be harmful for themselves just like knife is for butter. Santiago’s dream of a treasure in Egypt, for instance, reveals to him his Personal Legend and sets the entire plot of the Alchemist into motion. For Santiago finding treasure wasn’t easy. He had to sacrifice his shepherdess (as he sold his sheep) and work for year at Crystal Merchant’s shop to gain money to travel because he was robbed. Crystal Merchant did not believe in his dream of going to Mecca.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an intriguing novel that gives the reader wisdom and life lessons that would be beneficial to them throughout their life journey. Coelho displayed that particular wisdom and lessons through a young shepherd boy named Santiago. Santiago ventured out on a quest to find his dream, the treasure. Along the way Coelho placed certain people in Santiago’s path to give him wisdom and life lessons to help him find the foreseeable treasure that occurred in his dream. Throughout Santiago voyage he gathered at least five valuable lessons to help him succeed in perusing his dream of finding the treasure that was near the pyramids, located in Egypt.