What is Alchemy? Alchemy is a tradition that has influence towards the people that practice it. Alchemy allows watching extraordinary operations at a more rapid pace. These processes are part of Chemistry and these processes require long time for it to produce but in alchemy it’s a fast process. The objectives that alchemy has historically are the creation of the famous philosopher’s stone and the ability to change from base metals into noble metals as well as a development of an elixir of life.…
One of the main themes the Alchemist talks about is that every individual has a personal legend, which is a purpose or destiny that calls to them. Santiago's journey symbolizes this with his universal quest for meaning in his…
People make changes in their lives constantly. Whether the changes are big or small, they will impact the person’s life in some way, shape, or form. The literary works The Bean Trees and “Who Said We All Have to Talk Alike” prove that if a person takes control of their life, it will likely result in a change of mindset or their outlook on life.…
Sometimes, people don’t realize how big of an effect someone can have on a life. What someone says can rub off, and if they are a positive person, it can make a person follow in their ways. Fahrenheit 451 is a science fiction novel written by Ray Bradbury, the main character Guy Montag undergoes many changes within himself. Throughout the book, Montag encounters many different people that make him face his real self. Although Montag might not know it, maybe others know a little bit more about himself than he even does. The old lady teaches Montag about sacrifice and sticking to your beliefs no matter what. Then Faber teaches him that books maybe do mean more than just the words on the page. Last, Clarisse McClellan teaches Montag to slow down and appreciate the little things in life that are equally important as the big ones.…
| This quotation is said by Melchizedek, commonly referred to as the old man. This is the passage that introduces the ideas of one’s personal legend, and the soul of the universe. Much of The Alchemist is based off that philosophy; dreams are not just something one should push aside, each person needs to focus on accomplishing his or her own fantasy. In addition this is the overall conflict of the book, because the rest of the story is about Santiago trying to accomplish his personal legend: getting to the pyramids to find hidden treasure. He will run into trouble and there will be times when he gives up, but everything that happens along the way will get him one step closer to finding his dream. (Word Count: 125)…
The Alchemist. A book about a boy's quest for hidden treasure, seeing new places, meeting new people. It has become a worldwide hit, selling millions of copies since it's publication in 1988. It's received many awards and has drawn scores of scholars and casual readers alike. This book has received raving reviews and stinging critics. Why the divided response to this book? People vastly argue over the meaning the author was trying to convey.…
In the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho the main character, Santiago had to overcome many obstacles. There are four obstacles that Santiago had to overcome while trying to find his treasure and complete his personal legend.…
In life, everyone has their own personal legend. Whether it be giving people a reason to remember the name or getting the dream job, the journey to a personal legend is not an easy one. A personal legend can take your entire life to achieve or even realize what it is! Santiago’s personal legend was to find the treasure, and although it was not an easy task to handle he managed to make it happen. Santiago would not have reached his personal legend without the dream that started it all (the call to adventure), the obstacles that ended up helping him( tests, allies and enemies), or the people he met along the way (mentor).…
A messenger from the desert comes in a thundering sound All black except his eyes, The Alchemist Lives at the Al-Fayoum oasis For two hundred years, Elixir of Life cures, Understands the forces of nature Reader of omens extraordinarily powerful Speaking the language of alchemy, Knows all the secrets of the world like the Spirits of evil and good know Communicates with the genies of the desert The man speaking the language of alchemy is The Alchemist Wanting to live out the destiny, unlike others Seeking the treasure of their destiny…
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, consists of numerous pieces of advice dealing with universal wisdom. In this novel, Santiago, a shepherd boy, learns and matures on the journey to find his Personal Legend, his life's ultimate accomplishment. He faces many difficult decisions along the way but once he begins to listen to his heart he found love, treasure, and the ability to turn into wind. Like Santiago, a reader can grow to feel more knowledgeable from the words of Coelho because his advice can be accepted and appreciated by all people. The Alchemist expresses beliefs that easily relate to people around the world since at one point or another we all suffer from confusion about our hearts. Coelho beautifully constructed a novel that contains…
“It’s what you always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is.” – The King of Salem pg. 21. The King is telling Santiago what a personal legend is, it is important because Santiago needs to find his personal legend.…
“Every few decades a book is published which changes the lives of its readers forever, Alchemist is one of them.”The whole novel is about the fact that when you wish for something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. This is the core of the novel's philosophy and a motif that plays all throughout Paulo Coelho's writing in "The Alchemist". "In order to get success you must follow the signs. God inscribed on the world the path that each man must follow. It is just a matter of reading the inscription he wrote for you."…
Throughout The Alchemist, readers see a clear view of how they are to discover the meaning of life. The first is by discovering their personal legend. People are supposed to go out and seek their life’s destiny. The second is by defeating fear. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. We shouldn’t worry about the past or future. In fact, we should be focusing on the present. When we take the focus off of our fears we begin to focus on the present and realize what we’ve been missing. Paulo Coelho portrays two main themes throughout The Alchemist: pursue your personal legend and dangers come when you fear.…
The world is a puzzle, and every object, idea, thought, and emotion is a puzzle piece. Without one puzzle piece the puzzle can never be complete, much like allegory. Jonathan Terlaje taken from a source to lecture that allegory is a system in which various items work cohesively to show the “meaning beyond the literal level” (“Alchemist Analysis Notes”; “Fables and Parables: From Symbols to Allegory?”). “Everything in the narrative is a symbol that relates to other symbols within the story” and “can be read either literally or as a symbolic statement about a political, spiritual, or psychological truth”, like The Holy Bible. (“Fables and Parables: From Symbols to Allegory?”). With the comprehension of the system of allegory, one is able to say that Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is allegorical in numerous approaches and alludes to The Holy Bible for spiritual truth. One interpretation of allegory is shown through the Santiago’s dream and jacket, which parallels Joseph’s dream from The Holy Bible, then the conflicts, trials, and perseverance of Santiago’s journey, and lastly, the archetypes of nature, which assisted Santiago to find the Will of God.…
"The Alchemist" authored by Paulo Coelho is an unforgettable novel about dreams, omens, treasures, courage and essential wisdom of listening to our hearts.…