The Alchemist
Gary Puente
Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Date: 9/6/12
Quotes: “Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it 's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It 's your mission on earth.” (Melchizedek) “We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions or our property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand.” (Camel driver) “Well, usually I learn more from my sheep than from books.” (Santiago)
Explanation: I chose this quote because it talks about having a certain goal in life that you really want to achieve and make a reality. If you truly strive for that goal there is nothing that can stop you, everything is in your favor. Once Santiago realizes this, that is when he strives to find his Personal Legend. I chose this quote because it talks about fear. Something that every human portrays, and comes up in the novel quite often. Once Santiago realizes there is nothing to be scared about, he is able to do anything he puts his mind to. I chose this quote because it came up early in the novel and I thought it told a lot about Santiago. He has spent so much time with his sheep that he feels he learns more from them, than he would a book. It showed me he cared a lot about his sheep and he would probably have them for as long as he lived. Their bond is unbreakable.
Main Theme: I believe the theme of this novel is Dreams. Santiago’s dream of a treasure in Egypt reveals to him his Personal Legend and sets the entire plot of the Alchemist into motion. Whether or not an individual believes in dreams creates a dividing line between the “enlightened” and “unenlightened” characters in the novel. It is a mixture of ever character 's dreams that play a different scene.
Setting: Spain
Main Character: Santiago
Summary: A reacurring dream is messing around
Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Date: 9/6/12
Quotes: “Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it 's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It 's your mission on earth.” (Melchizedek) “We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions or our property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand.” (Camel driver) “Well, usually I learn more from my sheep than from books.” (Santiago)
Explanation: I chose this quote because it talks about having a certain goal in life that you really want to achieve and make a reality. If you truly strive for that goal there is nothing that can stop you, everything is in your favor. Once Santiago realizes this, that is when he strives to find his Personal Legend. I chose this quote because it talks about fear. Something that every human portrays, and comes up in the novel quite often. Once Santiago realizes there is nothing to be scared about, he is able to do anything he puts his mind to. I chose this quote because it came up early in the novel and I thought it told a lot about Santiago. He has spent so much time with his sheep that he feels he learns more from them, than he would a book. It showed me he cared a lot about his sheep and he would probably have them for as long as he lived. Their bond is unbreakable.
Main Theme: I believe the theme of this novel is Dreams. Santiago’s dream of a treasure in Egypt reveals to him his Personal Legend and sets the entire plot of the Alchemist into motion. Whether or not an individual believes in dreams creates a dividing line between the “enlightened” and “unenlightened” characters in the novel. It is a mixture of ever character 's dreams that play a different scene.
Setting: Spain
Main Character: Santiago
Summary: A reacurring dream is messing around