Santiago’s perception of treasure has transcended the physical and now he has respect for the treasure of home, knowledge and love. While Santiago originally sets out for his treasure of material riches, the treasure he values most has been transformed to that of knowledge and love along his journey. The theme of treasure appears early on in the story and inspires Santiago’s journey. One night while herding his flock, he dreams that there is buried treasure waiting for him at the pyramids of Egypt. After seeking advice from a gypsy who interprets his dream, she again confirms that at the pyramids of Egypt, “there you will find your treasure” (14).
(Coelho). The monomyth applies to the main character of the novella, Santiago, a young Shepard with enough passion and will to uncover his personal legend. The boy gets called to start his search for his personal legend through a dream, a dream of a child grabbing on his hand to the pyramids of Egypt, unleashing a secret of a treasure buried under the deserts sand. Later on, Santiago runs to a fortuneteller who notifies him that his dream is prophetic and that he must follow its instructions. Even though he is uncertain about both his bizarre dream and what the fortuneteller told him, he still sells his sheep, buys a ticket and finally makes it through the threshold in search for his treasure in an unknown world, Africa.
But the old man wanted to talk and, asked the boy what he was reading.” Melchizedek is particularly insistent on conversing with Santiago. It does not seem to be mere coincidence that he finds Santiago which suggests that he knows the boy will be coming. While the meeting is ostensibly fortuitous it is evident that this is no coincidence, specifically when considering the quote “Give me one tenth of your sheep,” said the old man. “And I’ll tell you where to find your treasure.” The fact that he is aware of the treasure Santiago is searching for being proof that he was
There are many images of Jesus shepherding his flock with sweet sheep around him, this gives the wrong impression, it was not an easy job. Shepherding has always been a difficult, an edgy business, they were meant to bring sheep back and also ward off enemies. In this film, Father James depicts a real priest as a shepherd. The man in the opening scene of the film who threatens him could be seen as the black sheep of his flock, that goes without saying that obviously not all the other characters are without flaws. Father James encourages the weak, as shown when he tries to help Dylan Moran's character Michael, a wealthy business man in coping with his lack of mortality.
ALCHEMIST tells the story of a young shepherd named Santiago who is able to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. Along the way, he learns to listen to his heart and, more importantly, realizes that his dreams, or his Personal Legend, are not just his but part of the Soul of the Universe. Santiago is a humble shepherd whose desires are few–he wants to be free to roam with his sheep, to have some wine in his wineskin and a book in his bag. Fate intervenes, however, in the form of the recurring dream of a great treasure hidden thousands of miles away at the base of the Egyptian Pyramids. When Santiago meets Melchizedek a strange wise man who claims he is a king from a far-off land, he decides to seek his treasure.
It is the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy who makes a long journey from his homeland in Spain to the deserts of Egyptian pyramid in search of some hidden treasurer, himself unaware of what the treasure is.Santiago starts on his adventure without knowing the destiny or the route to achieve it. He leaves behind his family tradition of priesthood only to find an answer to his recurring dream of being a shepherd. Santiago, gives priority to his own choice, he listens to his heart. He is not guided by the external forcesthough they tend to be an obstacle in the course of his life. On his way, he meets several people like the Melchizedek – the king of Salem, the shopkeeper who gives him the job, the English man of the caravan, Fatima with whom Santiago falls in love, the Alchemist – the possessor of the elixir of life, the Gypsy women who knows about the pyramids of Egypt.
The Alchemist is a very well written and intriguing book by Paulo Coelho. It is a story about a young shepherd known as Santiago who abandons his live in Spain and embarks on a journey to Egypt, during his journey for treasure hunt he faces many obstacles. Making several different stops he realizes truth about himself, the world, and the kingdom of god which are interrelated in the story. Paulo uses the characters of The King Salem, The Crystal merchant, the Alchemist and Fatima to explore the theme that true happiness can only be achieved if one works hard towards his goal or purpose in life and to realize one’s personal legend, one must work hard, make great sacrifices, and take risks. True happiness is only when one realizes his Personal legend.
Early into his journey, he meets a king by the name of Melchizedek, who tells him to sell his sheep to travel to Egypt and introduces the idea of a Personal Legend To do so, he must leave the comfort zone of home, learn to trust the “Soul of the World,”. Everyone, knows what their Personal Legend is when they are young, “ He also adds that "when you want or love something, the whole or the entire universe unite in helping you to achieve it". Santiago then met an Englishman, along the way and continues his travel with him. They pass through the Sahara desert and during his journey, Santiago met a beautiful Arabian woman named Fatima and fell in love with her. He asks her to marry him, but she says she will only marry him after he finds his treasures.
Nevertheless, he still worshiped the principles of his world like the people around him. He discovers and reconstructs a lightbulb, thinking that this could be a step forward in the society. So he brings it to the Council of Scholars, who reject his idea and want to destroy it. Equality leaves him home with Liberty, someone who he holds dearly, and discovers a house deep in the Uncharted Forest full of stories from the past. That is when he discovers the truth about his life.
desire, dreams, pleasure and sorrow –to let the self die. No longer to be self ,to experience the peace of emptied heart, to experience pure thought-that was his goal.(p:11). Through these lines we can see that how Siddhartha is longing for emptiness and his struggles for high values of life it self is a symbol of quest. He is searching harmony of life with that of nature and environment, he tries to get knowledge from teachers and also looks external sources for finding the meaning of life. In that process Siddhartha made many mistakes.