Imagery In The Alchemist

In “The Alchemist,” Paulo Coelho uses diction, imagery, and a flashback to characterize the novel’s protagonist, Santiago, while relating to themes. Based on the novel, Santiago could be characterized as someone who is intuitive and connected to nature. Coelho uses imagery such as, “he could see the stars through the half-destroyed roof,” (3) to show that Santiago is not one to fear nature, but rather that Santiago thrives in nature. Santiago uses his limited resources in multiple ways, such as when he “swept the floor with his jacket…using the book…as a pillow” (3). He also protects his sheep on their travels. He understands the sheep and believes they are connected after two years of roaming the countryside. Coelho shows that Santiago
is intuitive using a flashback. Santiago learns much on his travels through Andalusia and learns “more from my sheep than from my books” (5). This dialogue emphasizes Santiago’s connection to nature and shows that Santiago is intelligent and learns from his environment. During the flashback, Santiago goes into town to sell wool to a merchant. While he waits for the merchant in order to sell the wool, Santiago talks to his daughter. He tells her of the Andalusian countryside and discovers “the desire to live in one place forever” (6). Santiago chooses his sheep over his desire, which further shows that Santiago is intuitive. Coelho uses diction to connect to theme. He describes the merchant’s daughter as the “girl with the raven hair” (6). By using the word raven, Coelho uses the negative connotation to connect one of the major themes, never giving up.