The Themes Of Symbols In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

These hurdles did not stop him from continuing his mission; on the contrary, they were all, for Santiago, life lessons and experiences. Along his journey, Santiago meets many mentors, teachers and helpers. Each emerges into his life for a cause, whether it is

An English drummer named Michael Lee once said, “Follow your heart and happiness will follow.” This is what Santiago experiences throughout his journey in The Alchemist when he finds his treasure. In the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, Santiago learns, “Remember where your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” First, Santiago finds that he should listen to his heart instead of running away from it. Second, Santiago realizes that by listening to his heart he will come to find his treasure.

People affect other people and their journey through life. Santiago met many people who all affected his journey and his Personal Legend. Without the people he met, he would’ve never had found his treasure, which he was looking for the entire story. The Gypsy, Melchizedek, and the alchemist all greatly impacted Santiago in the novel, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. Santiago’s journey to find his treasure began because of the Gypsy.

While Santiago was on the quest to find his Personal Legend, he began to forge a close relationship with a caravan driver that was taking him to an oasis. The caravan driver did not look like much, but he had proven to be a very wise man that has much wisdom to offer. During their voyage, tribe wars had begun to take place and everyone seemed to be worried about it except for this driver. Santiago had asked why this was so, and the caravan driver had responded that he does not think about the past, and he does not worry about the future. Instead, he only thinks about what is happening right in front of him and that by doing so he had found the key to his happiness.

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).

Entry 1: The Pursuit of a Personal Legend Santiago, a young shepherd spent his life herding his sheep across field of Spain. When Santiago wakes up from his recurring dream of a treasure in Egypt, he seeks for mentors like Melchizedek, who helps him realize that the dream is his Personal Legend. A Personal Legend is something that one has always wanted to accomplish and one’s purpose in life. Melchizedek tells Santiago “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” (22).

In the extraordinary book " The Alchemist" Santiago searches for a hidden treasure but fulfills his Personal Legend as well. A Personal Legend is your life's spiritual purpose. It's a calling that awakens a deep desire and passion to live with a sense of purpose for something greater than yourself. It's ones destiny, our purpose in life and pursuing that purpose. Santiago must decide what he will make of his life.

Lessons, Memories, and Values Gained “‘If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. You’ll see that there is life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and that tribesmen fight because they are part of the human race.’” expresses the courageous camel driver (Coelho 87). Braving through the strong and dangerous desert, Santiago listens to those around him, including the leaders of the trip who seem to have no fear of their environment. Leaving behind his role as a shepherd, Santiago embarks on a difficult trip to a treasure seen in his dreams, during which, he receives words of wisdom from many. In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho utilizes the lessons, memories, and values created during Santiago’s journey

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.

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).

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

There are many instances of failure and struggle in The Old Man and the Sea that are highlighted by Ernest Hemmingway which allows the reader to characterize and understand the circumstances and background of the “old man”, Santiago. The happenings and events of the text can be broadly classified into these two themes. From the beginning of the novel, various symbols were used to highlight defeat or failure, one being the sail of the skiff which the Old Man owned that appears to be the “flag of permanent defeat.” A further instance that emphasizes failure in this text is the Old Man’s inability to catch a fish for 84 days. These two examples of situations from the text allow the reader to understand the extent of defeat and failure the

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

For instance, within "The Alchemist", Santiago, who had always been a shepherd all his life, was approached by a king who promised Santiago that he'd "help him find the hidden treasure by the Pyramids of Egypt" if he traveled to the Pyramids of Egypt. Santiago was reluctant to accept this journey because not only did it sound dangerous, but is also meant a change in his daily lifestyle that would open his heart to the unknowns of the world

As Ban Ki Moon once stated; “Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for a better future.” All migration accomplished by mankind has followed a consistent pattern of looking for a better living. In Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, we can see this similarity. Migration is greatly influenced by geography. Human Geography is the study of the interaction between human beings and their surrounding environment.