The Alchemist Santiago's Journey

Many people, when faced with hardships, will abandon whatever they were trying to complete. When Santiago, a young shepherd, dreamt the same dream twice, he decided to seek a gypsy to interpret his dreams. The gypsy in turn, informs Santiago that he will discover treasure by the pyramids of Egypt in the near future. At first Santiago scoffs at the gypsy’s divination, but as he hesitates to move on, an old man appears and convinces Santiago to fulfill his “Personal Legend.” As Santiago progresses throughout his journey, he met many people that influenced the choices he made across his expedition to find the hidden treasure. When Santiago finally reaches the pyramids, he came to realize that the treasure was never buried in Egypt, but in his
homeland, and his dream was to lead him to view the natural beauties of the world. Santiago managed to complete his quest because he had the support and approval of his father, help from Melchizedek, and the guidance of the Alchemist.

Without the support and approval of Santiago’s father, Santiago would have never had the chance to even go to Egypt, because before he became a shepherd, Santiago was enrolled in school to become a priest. Santiago was unsatisfied to become a priest, so he told his father that he dreams of traveling, and will happily become a shepherd to fulfill his dreams. Santiago’s father acknowledged his dreams through his actions, “The next day, he gave his son a pouch that help 3 ancient Spanish gold coins” and told him, “I found these one day in the fields. I wanted them to be a part of your inheritance. But use them to buy your flock” (Coelho 9). Even though Santiago’s family was poor and could barely afford to allow Santiago to remain in school, Santiago’s father still granted his son a way to see the world, by presenting the 3 golden coins which was suppose to be his inheritance after he became a priest. Santiago’s father, even when Santiago decided to be a shepherd, didn’t use the money to support the family, but allowed Santiago to follow his dreams.

After his meeting with the gypsy, when Santiago was complementing whether or not he should go to Egypt, he met Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who helped him decide on whether he should have change in his life, to go to Egypt, or to have a platonic life, to not go to Egypt. Melchizedek helped Santiago decide when he informed him, “The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world…” (Coelho 32). Melchizedek explains to Santiago that true happiness is found when one person is privileged to view what the world has to offer. Melchizedek also uses the nearby baker as an example, informing Santiago that he wanted to travel when he was younger, but he hadn’t had enough money to, so he became a baker. Now the baker was happy with his current life, because of how stable and consistent, but he will never experience the real thrill of happiness, since he had given up on his dreams. As Melchizedek ask for a payment for helping Santiago, Santiago offered one-tenth of his treasure, which causes Melchizedek to become disappointed in him. Melchizedek warned Santiago, “If you start out promising what you don’t even have, you’ll lose your desire to work toward getting it” (Coelho 25). Melchizedek warns Santiago that if he keeps making empty promises he will eventually give up on his Personal Legend because he will have nothing left as he promised different parts of his treasure to different people, and none for himself. If Santiago is not able to keep his treasure, that is rightfully his, then why would he want other people to keep a part of his treasure?

After arriving at Egypt and traveling across a desert, Santiago met the Alchemist, who served as a mentor towards Santiago, leading him to the pyramids and broadening his views of the “Soul of the World.” As they were planning to leave the oasis, a place where Santiago was staying for a while, the Alchemist soothed Santiago's settlements by reminding him, “She knows that men have to go away in order to return” (Coelho 118).
When Santiago met Fatima, his one true love, he was hesitant on leaving her behind because he fears that one day she’ll move on and forget about her. The Alchemist points out to Santiago that Fatima is a woman of the desert, and that she understands the importance of people completing their “Personal Legend” and will wait for him to return. If she didn’t wait for him, that means she did not truly love him, and he should forget about her. As they left the oasis, the Alchemist advises Santiago, “Don't think about what you’ve left behind” (Coelho 123). The Alchemist noticed the regretful expression on Santiago’s face when they left, signalling that he thinking about Fatima. If Santiago continues to be distracted by Fatima, he will eventually lose his determination to finish his quest, since he would be most likely heading back to the oasis, abandoning his
dreams. As Santiago journeyed through his pursuit of happiness, he met a variety of people that either influenced him positively or negatively.
Without the approval of his father, Santiago would never had to chance to meet Melchizedek, who helped him decided on whether or not to pursue his Personal Legend, and the Alchemist, who took him under his wings and thought Santiago about the Soul of the World. During Santiago’s most dubious times, Santiago meets these people who encourages him to complete the quest. The Alchemist serves as an important lesson to many people, because it teaches people that true happiness is received from doing what you want to do and completing that objective, no matter what hurdles you face. Santiago’s story will serve as an example of how happiness is found through completing his dreams, because not one he met his one true love, he also obtained many new
skills.