Alchemist essay

The Alchemist was an awe-inspiring novel about Santiago’s journey across the desert in search of his personal legend. He overcomes negativity, the love of a beautiful woman, and the fear of actually realizing his own dream. In the story, Santiago must overcome many obstacles so that he may achieve his personal legend. These include being told that you can’t do it, risk losing the woman you love, and the fear of success.

Upon arriving in Africa Santiago faced some problems, (like anyone in a foreign land). He had no clue where to go and when. What made this worse, was someone he thought he trusted robbed him blind. Santiago met a crystal merchant and began working for him for many months. Before working the merchant said he would not make enough money to make it to the pyramids. With that Santiago was debating whether to go back home or continue on his journey. He made enough money to go back home and buy a whole new flock of sheep. To his surprise, the merchant said he would never achieve his personal legend. He said “But you know that I’m not going to Mecca, just as I know that you are not going to buy your sheep” The merchant is a Muslim so in Muslim religion, going to Mecca is their personal legend. He is not going to Mecca because he doesn’t want to risk losing his way of life, as does Santiago. When Santiago finally leaves he doesn’t give in to the merchants negativity and decides to continue on his journey to complete his personal legend.

While many people in our lives tell us things are impossible, we also must worry about our loved ones. During the journey to his personal legend, Santiago must risk losing his love, Fatima. Santiago relied on a caravan to get him to the pyramids and on the way they were forced to stop in a village due to an ongoing war between two tribes.