Why is the opening of the Alchemist important?
This realization, or an individual’s pursuit of his or her Personal Legend, is established as a major theme. Because the book from which the alchemist reads this story was brought by someone in the caravan, the prologue foreshadows a journey undertaken by the novel’s characters.
What happens in the beginning of the Alchemist?
Summary: Prologue The alchemist reads a book containing the story of Narcissus. According to legend, Narcissus kneeled every day beside a lake to admire his reflection, until one day he became so fascinated with his own beauty that he fell into the lake and drowned.
What is the main point of the Alchemist?
In the novel, even alchemy, the central symbol of the book, entails coaxing metal to achieve its own Personal Legend to turn into gold. As a result, the idea that all individuals should live in the singular pursuit of their individual dreams emerges as the primary theme of The Alchemist.
What was the point of the boy becoming the wind?
The final test that Santiago undergoes in this story is to transform himself into the wind. This is something that he is only able to do with the help of the desert, the sun and the wind, and this section of the book charts the conversations that he has with each of these entities.
Does Santiago marry Fatima?
The alchemist explains that Santiago would have enough money to buy many sheep and camels, and that he would marry Fatima. The alchemist’s story convinces Santiago. The pair returns to Al-Fayoum for one night and Santiago tells Fatima he is leaving, but that he still loves her and he will return.
Who is at risk of death in the Alchemist?
Santiago
Where does Santiago sleep after being robbed?
Santiago sleeps under a tree in an old, abandoned church.
What does Maktub mean?
Maktub is an arabic word which literally means it is written. It means fate or destiny
What was Santiago’s fear in the Alchemist?
Santiago’s main fear is failure. He frequently worries that he is making the wrong choices and that the choices he makes are negatively impacting his future and stopping him from finding his personal legend.
What is the one thing the alchemist says will make a dream impossible to achieve?
There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.
What are the 4 obstacles in the Alchemist?
The Alchemist is a story about a hero on his journey….
- The first obstacle: We are told from childhood that what we want is impossible. Parents, society, peers tell us it is impossible to have what we really want.
- The second obstacle: Love.
- The third obstacle: Fear.
- The fourth obstacle: The fear of realizing our dreams.
What was the most valuable thing Santiago gained from his journey?
One of the most valuable lessons Santiago learns in The Alchemist is the notion that fear is part of living a meaningful life. It is worse to not achieve his goals out of fear than to face fear, Santiago tells his heart: “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.
What was Santiago’s personal legend?
A Personal Legend, as it’s referred to in The Alchemist, is one’s destiny in life. It’s identifying your purpose in life and pursuing it. When Santiago meets the old King of Salem, Melchizedek, he teaches him what a Personal Legend is. He says that a Personal Legend is “what you have always wanted to accomplish”
What did Santiago gain from his journey?
Santiago learns to connect with the Soul of the World. Santiago, learns to read and communicate with the world around him. This ultimately leads him to the treasure he seeks and awakens his own supernatural consciousness
What is the ending of the Alchemist?
By Paulo Coelho 13) shows us that Santiago’s not ready to stop traveling. The ending, with Santiago coming back home to Spain to find his treasure, kind of like Dorothy finding that she’s had the ruby slippers, her way home, all along, wraps up the novel in a nice circular way.
What was the real treasure in the Alchemist?
By Paulo Coelho Specifically, treasure. The treasure shows up early on, in a dream that Santiago has about a child transporting him to the pyramids and telling him that he’ll find a hidden treasure there. And the treasure does turn out to be pretty awesome, “a chest of Spanish gold coins.
What is the main conflict in the Alchemist?
major conflict The major conflict of the book is Santiago’s personal tension between completing his Personal Legend to travel all the way to Egypt to find a treasure at the pyramids and settling along the way for the treasures he has already earned.
What did Santiago’s parents want him to be?
Santiago’s parents want him to become a priest, so he attends the seminary until he is sixteen years old. While in the seminary, Santiago learns to read. While it is a great honor and accomplishment for a boy from a poor family to become a priest, Santiago soon realizes he is unhappy at the seminary.
What is the world’s greatest lie in the Alchemist?
“Everyone believes the world’s greatest lie…” says the mysterious old man. “What is the world’s greatest lie?” the little boy asks. The old man replies, “It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate.
What is Santiago’s first good omen?
Melchizedek explains the butterfly is Santiago’s first omen and opens his cape to reveal a jeweled breastplate. Melchizedek gives Santiago two stones from the breastplate. He says the stones are called Urim and Thummim and they represent “yes” and “no.” They will help Santiago to read omens.
How old is the alchemist supposed to be?
200 years old
Is Santiago an alchemist?
Santiago is the Spanish shepherd who is the protagonist of The Alchemist. A small town boy, he eventually is able to travel across the Sahara, become an alchemist, earn great wealth, and marry the most beautiful woman he can imagine. This is all because he refuses to give up hope in his Personal Legend.
What does Fatima teach Santiago?
She tells Santiago that as a woman of the desert, she will wait for his return. Her role here is to show us that love should not stand in the way of fulfilling one’s personal legend, that true love is unconditional and supportive in all matters.
What is the soul of the world in the Alchemist?
A term which comes up repeatedly in the text, the Soul of the World is sometimes equated with God. It is a spiritual force that binds all of us together and governs all things and that speaks with us in the language of signs or omens.
What is the secret of happiness The Alchemist?
“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.” After the story is told in the book, it is followed with, “A shepherd may like to travel, but he should never forget about his sheep.” There’s much to be gained by immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring …
What are the omens in the Alchemist?
Omens in the Alchemist are signs on the road of Santiago’s spiritual and physical journey. Omens relate to the theme because the theme states that all people should pursue their Personal Legends, and Omens act as tools to help individuals complete their Personal Legend.
What is the symbolism in the Alchemist?
Alchemy, in which a base metal is transformed into a more valuable metal like gold, functions as the dominant symbol in The Alchemist and represents Santiago’s journey to achieve his Personal Legend. The symbol also gives the novel its title.
What is the irony in the Alchemist?
More irony: The gold that the alchemist created from lead is precisely what causes the thieves to believe that Santiago is digging for more treasure, and to beat him. For Santiago, and for the reader, this is an unexpected, negative consequence of the alchemist’s wisdom and power.
What message does the alchemist teach us?
The constant theme in The Alchemist is to pursue your dreams by following what your heart desires. During the young boy’s journey, he learns to listen to the heart and to follow the language of omens. With each passing obstacle and hurdle that the young boy encounters, there is a lesson to learn.
What does the jacket in the alchemist symbolize?
The jacket is considered a symbol for the hero’s journey. Make an inference as to what the jacket may symbolize. The jacket is considered a blessing because it keeps Santiago warm at night. It is considered a curse because of the burden of the weight when he has to carry it around all day.