Alchemist Answer Key
1)Why does Coelho open with the modified myth of Narcissus? How does the new version differ from the original one? How does it change the myth’s meaning? What might the author be suggesting about how we perceive ourselves and the world?
Paulo Coelho began with the tale of Narcissus to show the reader that when you are so caught up in your own life you do not realize the greater things like nature and friends. It differs because it leaves out how the lake was also too caught up in its own beauty to notice other people. The new myth focuses more on positive outcomes from unfortunate events while the original is negative. It portrays everything to be self-centered. This relates to the tale of the Alchemist because, in chasing his personal legend, Santiago had to learn to see the world for all that it was, not just as it related to his personal struggle. 2)The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his observation that they "have forgotten to rely on their own instincts" foreshadow later events in the story? He observes that all they are concerned with is eating and sleeping. They do not have deeper thoughts or needs. Just like people that do not try to learn or grow, they continue blandly through life.
They don't look around or try to learn from those around them. Because Santiago is different, he bravely leaves his comfortable existence and travels to the pyramids in search of his treasure. Along the way he learns to trust in himself and to understand the ways of the earth. 3)To what degree is his father’s observation about travelers ("They come in search of new things, but when they leave they are basically the same people they were when they arrived.") true about Santiago? 4)The old man tells Santiago the story about the miner and the emerald. How does it connect to Santiago’s situation? What does he
Paulo Coelho began with the tale of Narcissus to show the reader that when you are so caught up in your own life you do not realize the greater things like nature and friends. It differs because it leaves out how the lake was also too caught up in its own beauty to notice other people. The new myth focuses more on positive outcomes from unfortunate events while the original is negative. It portrays everything to be self-centered. This relates to the tale of the Alchemist because, in chasing his personal legend, Santiago had to learn to see the world for all that it was, not just as it related to his personal struggle. 2)The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his observation that they "have forgotten to rely on their own instincts" foreshadow later events in the story? He observes that all they are concerned with is eating and sleeping. They do not have deeper thoughts or needs. Just like people that do not try to learn or grow, they continue blandly through life.
They don't look around or try to learn from those around them. Because Santiago is different, he bravely leaves his comfortable existence and travels to the pyramids in search of his treasure. Along the way he learns to trust in himself and to understand the ways of the earth. 3)To what degree is his father’s observation about travelers ("They come in search of new things, but when they leave they are basically the same people they were when they arrived.") true about Santiago? 4)The old man tells Santiago the story about the miner and the emerald. How does it connect to Santiago’s situation? What does he