ipl-logo

The Theme Of Religion In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

756 Words4 Pages

Through talks of Abraham and the Quran, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has an overlying theme of religion. The book follows the life of shepherd named Santiago and his journey throughout life as he wants to travel around the world, where he meets many people that give him advice on his journey. Like the prologue Narcissus story, The Alchemist itself has a message that is concentrating on oneself can unite a person to nature and the spiritual world. Only through single-mindedly attempting to reach his Personal Legend does Santiago learn the mysteries of the Soul of the World, for instance. Throughout the book, Santiago must put his attention first repeatedly, as when he decides to be a shepherd preferably than a priest and when he leaves the haven to continue on his journey. However, through disregarding everything but his dream, Santiago understands his real potential. In this way, he inserts to the Soul of the World. With this under consideration, many questions can be brought up. What is the attitude of The Alchemist towards material wealth and individualism, and how does this relate to significant religions? Unlike various religions, The Alchemist does not differentiate between the material and the spiritual world. The work also advocates individuality as a means for accomplishing the final goals of creation. Melchizedek plays a role in the lives who seeks his or her Personal Legend. He fundamentally motivates people to continue pursuing their Legends in times of doubt,

Show More
Related

  • The Theme Of Religion In Night By Elie Wiesel

    607 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the book night by Elie Wiesel portrays religion by showing people persecuted for their religion. And showing people relying on their faith and people losing their faith. They were relying on their faith to get them through this event. Some people started to lose their faith and started to worry about their life. People started to die off in the railroad car.

    Read More

  • Narcissism In The Alchemist

    1552 Words  | 7 Pages

    1. In the prologue, the alchemist reads a version if the story of the death of Narcissus that has a somewhat different ending from the traditional telling, one that emphasizes the grief of the lake into which Narcissus will no longer be looking at his reflection. In beginning the book with this story, what themes and relationships is Coelho telling us to watch for throughout Santiago’s story? Do you think there may be an element of “narcissism” in the pursuit of one’s personal legend?

    Read More

  • The Themes Of Symbols In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

    771 Words  | 4 Pages

    Paulo Coelho, the author of The Alchemist tells the story of Santiago a Shepard whose life changes once he finds out about a treasure from his frequent dreams and meets a strange man who helps him to start his personal legend. On Santiago’s journey he starts to see the hidden meanings behind daily life creating the thesis that through seeing and understanding symbols behind the world people can learn about their own personal legend and live life to the fullest. Santiago’s life starts out all about his sheep, he chose to be a shepherd, so he could travel and meet new people. Santiago’s job is to take care of the sheep, but the sheep have more meaning in the story. The sheep represent how he is comfortable in his life and how he is questioning his frequent dream, to sacrifice his comfortable life to find this treasure or to continue without taking the risk.

    Read More

  • Perseverance In The Alchemist

    532 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Importance of Perseverance At many times in people’s lives, they consider giving up. This is also true for Santiago, the protagonist in Paulo Coelho's fantasy novel The Alchemist. Santiago is on a journey to find a hidden treasure he saw in a dream. Along this journey he continues to contemplate whether he should just give up, or continue his adventure.

    Read More

  • Essay About The Alchemist

    471 Words  | 2 Pages

    First and foremost,in my perspective,I would say that the main message of the story The Alchemist is that whatever life gives you appreciate it. Life can always lead you to places or objects,but not every human can have them. To face facts life can be hard for some people and not as hard to others,in comparison to the Santiago’s life in the story he knew that he had to give up the only thing he had in order to get enough money to travel to egypt where he thought his treasure would be,and where he would get to know what his personal legend was,so he decided that he would go for his dream if he really wanted to be able to find his treasure. While traveling to the pyramids he came upon thieves,love,and fear,but none of that stop him from getting

    Read More

  • What Is The Hero's Journey In The Alchemist

    711 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • How Does Santiago Overcome Fear In The Alchemist

    522 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho there is a young shepherd named Santiago who is in search for his personal legend. Santiago’s personal legend is to find the treasure at the pyramids. Throughout his journey, there are a lot of emotions especially the emotion fear. Santiago encountered a lot of challenges like crossing the desert, being in a war and turning himself into the wind. He learned the different levels of fear; fearing fear, being in fear, and overcoming fear.

    Read More

  • Self Discovery In The Alchemist

    701 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Identity In The Alchemist

    971 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ultimately Santiago has developed his identity through the soul of the world and alchemy and has achieved his personal legend

    Read More

  • Religion In The Stranger, By Albert Camus

    251 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Stranger, the crucifix appears to represent Christianity, a religion that Monsieur Meursault refuses to believe in or accept. Additionally, it represents rational beliefs that the magistrate attempts to thrust upon Meursault. He wants Meursault to accept God so that his sin will be forgiven. However, Meursault rejects the notion that his life have any significance or rational explanation.

    Read More

  • What Did Santiago Learn From The Alchemist

    503 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the book the Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho) Santiago learns many things along the way to achieving his personal legend. He gained skills and experience in things across the board, from how to clean crystals, to the 5 obligations of Muslims, to the basics of alchemy. Santiago learns from the wise, and educated, but also learns the meaning of a true friendship. Overall it is true that reaching one 's personal legend is life 's greatest treasure, but often the journey is just as valuable.

    Read More

  • Islam In The Alchemist

    499 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first example of the practice of Islam in The Alchemist is when Santiago is in the bar in Tangier, Morocco. Since Santiago was not able to speak Arabic, he wasn’t able to verbally order a drink so he pointed to a drink that was served at the table next to him. After Santiago found out, to his disdain, that the drink was bitter tea, a Spanish man approached him and informed him that wine was forbidden due to Islamic beliefs. “‘There is no wine in this country,’ the young man said. ‘The religion here forbids it.’”

    Read More

  • Theme Of Fear In The Alchemist

    883 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Santiago's Personal Legend In The Alchemist

    540 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the whole story Santiago is trying to find his personal legend, he is trying to find his purpose in life. Therefore in the Alchemist, the most important thing is personal legend. Everything is based off Santiago’s personal legend, if he wouldn’t of became a shepherd the book wouldn’t be all about him following his personal legend and trying to figure out what his was. Santiago has to figure out a bunch of new things that lend his to his personal

    Read More

  • How Is Santiago A Weak Character In The Alchemist

    1033 Words  | 5 Pages

    Santiago is a young boy who yearns for adventure and purpose in his life.from a young age he knows he wants to see the world and becomes a shepherd to experience new places. Santiago still struggles to find meaning and purpose throughout his many years of travel though. It's not until he goes on the journey to follow his personal legend that he truly develops as a character. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, challenges readers to acknowledge their self-worth and realize they are strongest when they love themselves.

    Read More

More about The Theme Of Religion In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

Open Document