Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

Santiago's epiphany leads to him pushing forward and finishing his journey of achieving his ultimate treasure of hope and

Then, he continues to travel to the pyramids and gets directed through the desert where he finds the alchemist and turns himself into the wind. Santiago then returns back to his hometown

The Alchemist is a fantasy adventure book written by Paulo Coelho. It tells the story of a young Shepherd named Santiago, whose life changes after a conversation with an old gypsy and a king. He leaves his life of taking care of sheep to pursue his personal legend. The shepherd decides to go on the path of the Hero’s Journey. This path is structured in a certain way and has been accomplished by many other heroes in other stories.

By continuing he finds his true inner strength. In the story, the author shows the importance of perseverance, and how to face the many obstacles that people are presented in their lives to complete their goal. In Coelho's novel, Santiago faces many difficult challenges, but because of his courage and perseverance, he is able to face them head on. While in the town of Tarifa, Santiago meets

The crystal merchant's character also serves as lesson to santiago’s journey. Highlighting the importance of knowing what lessons and “omes” one should

Santiago's temptation is when he has the choice whether or not to stay with Fatima and abandon his Personal Legend. After leaving Fatima he has a difficult time coping with the separation, even if Fatima is a woman of the desert, who knows he will return. The Alchemist offers him a sole piece of advice, “love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend.” (120) Santiago’s heart is aching for the loving arms of Fatima. He realizes that he needs to focus on what he needs, pursuing his Personal Legend and not what he desires to be with Fatima.

For a few years, he grows very close and familiar with his beloved animals, wandering the pastures of his country, Andalusia. He then has a reoccurring dream that causes him to believe that he should find treasure hidden beneath the Egyptian pyramids. He goes on his way to sell his sheep so that he may have enough money to travel to Egypt. After selling his livestock, his money is stolen from him and Santiago is in despair and dreading the idea of starting over, or worse, returning home empty

Santiago realizes that he finally has a place and that he is supposed to be following his Personal

Santiago's journey. In the beginning of his journey to the pyramids, he realizes he is going to need to find a guide, because he is a simple shepherd who knows little to nothing about the pyramids. Even at this point he could just say “ I am a shepherd and I know nothing about the pyramids, why try”, but decides to follow his dream

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).

The Alchemist, a fable about following your dream, Paulo Coelho in his selected work The Alchemist, works on the concept of self-exploration. The Alchemist is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho which throws light on how a person will power, determination, positive attitude, sacrifices lead to his destination or his dream. The Alchemist was first published in 1988; this novel was a great achievement for Paulo Coelho. Originally it was write in Portugess, than it got translated into 72 languages and become one of the bestselling books in history and make Guinness world record for most translated book over 72 languages by a living author. Paulo Coelho was born in Brazil and has become one of the most widely read and loved authors in the world.

During his journey, Santiago receives knowledge that he treasures and uses on his behalf when he hopes to achieve his personal legend. During his time with the Crystal merchant Santiago learned the five sacred obligations of all Muslims, and he learned that the Pyramids were not nearly as close as he thought when he arrived in Africa. During his time with the Alchemist he learned how to find life in the desert, and how to

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.

Santiago has an epiphany when he realizes that if you never change and take risks you will never move forward. He wants to find his “personal legend,” or true desire, and to obtain this he needs to change his own nature. He must be willing to give up whatever is necessary to achieve this goal, including freedom. On Santiago’s journey he becomes employed by a crystal merchant that never achieved his personal legend. The merchant resisted change and never accomplished his dreams.

He is robbed at the beginning of his journey and must work hard to earn back the money he lost. Then, he is able to travel into the desert, facing more peril along the way. This is where he meets the Alchemist, who tells him, “You must not let up, even after coming so far” (113). The wise man teaches him things unknown to most people. With his instruction, Santiago survives his travels in the desert, even while faced with war and threats of death.