The Alchemist Quotes

Santiago understands that everything from a grain of sand to God himself shares the same physical and spiritual essence. In coming to this understanding, Santiago also believes he can “conquer the world.” (Coelho,157). He realizes the importance of hope on his journey and that he can and will persevere to the end.

He is a stronger and smarter man because of what happened to him. Santiago hit a lot of adversity at the beginning of his journey and it prepared him for the worst of his journey. “Now he understood why the owner of the bar had been so upset: he was trying to tell him not to trust that man.” (Coelho 43). He lost it all and he was prepared for anything for the rest of his journey.

“Here I am between my flock and my treasure, the boy thought. He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have.” (30) Santiago must realize that it is he that is holding him back and to take the risk. Once Santiago found out about the term personal legend he will take the risk. “There was nothing to hold him back except himself.

Fear is a Barrier Fear is a defense mechanism that tries to protect us, but at times that fear becomes an obstacle between an individual and their dreams, and that fear can be worse than the actual consequences. In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho fear is portrayed as a barrier that needs to be overcome, and it is portrayed by Santiago’s heart, the Crystal Merchant, and the Camel Driver. Santiago’s heart is a symbol of his intuitive voice and how fear can affect it. The heart represents the inner fear and doubt that lead Santiago to hesitate about following his dreams. The Crystal Merchant represents a life lived in fear of an uncertain future.

While at the Oasis of Al-Fayoum, the elder chieftain of the oasis tells Santiago the story of Joseph of Egypt. Joseph was enslaved for being a dreamer, but he persevered and managed to become an important counselor to the Pharaoh of Egypt. This Personal Legend could have suited Santiago because of his connection to the Soul of the World. The Soul of the World is a spiritual unity that binds all forms of nature together. Santiago knew he wanted to follow his dreams; it was helpful when he learned that “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it” because he knew he was now destined to complete his goal, and not somebody else’s (Coelho 64).

Finny ignores reality throughout the novel. He stays strong with his innocence and continues to act oblivious to the actions and events going on around him. On page 163, Finny says ¨When I heard that about Leper, then I knew that the war was real, this war and all the wars. If a war can drive someone crazy, then it's real all right. Oh I guess I always knew, but I didn't have to admit it.¨

Santiago felt very pressured but he didn’t fear to die this time because he knew that the universe was going to help him. Santiago overcame the fear of dying and turned himself into the

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

Decision-making through the theory of Existentialism Existentialism is a philosophy which means finding self or finding meaning of life. It is theory which talks about freedom. Paulo Coelho in the novel The Alchemist talks about Santiago’s dilemmas and how he takes decision.

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

What if another man comes to the oasis in pursuit of finding a wife and believes Fatima would be the one he should marry. For days, Santiago lay in his bed awake. He thought about his two options, but decided to leave. This shows how strong his trust in Fatima was, but it also shows how strongly he believed in achieving his personal

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.

This quote also establishes a sense of freedom and happiness in the tone. The next day the boy focused more on the present and realized the stars were closer to the desert, the boy took the camel drivers advice and realized something he had not ever

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.

A personal legend is not just the result found at the end of Santiago's life. It’s more than simply reaching final destination. Santiago personal legend is achieved when he completes what he is doing. “It’s true that everything has it’s personal legend ,but one day that personal legend will be realized ,so each thing has to transform itself into something better ,and to acquire a new personal legend, until someday, the soul of the world becomes one only thing.”