Santiago's Journey An individual's purpose in life is explored by taking risks and accepting the help of those around them in order to achieve what one believes is impossible. In Paulo Coelhos novel, The Alchemist, Santiago convinces his father to fund his dream of becoming a shepherd. As he tends to his sheep, he begins to desire more knowledge of both himself and the world that surrounds him. He becomes infatuated with the concept of omens and personal legends after an encounter with a wise old man who claimed to be the king of Priam. Utilizing the guidance he received from the old man, Santiago ventures off to the pyramids in Egypt meeting a plethora of people who mold him and his perception of the universe along the way. Throughout the …show more content…
Along Santiago's path to discover his personal legend, he allows himself to free his mind of all doubt or skepticism he feels surrounding himself and the universe. At his lowest point, Santiago was left contemplating his life choices when an old man approached him in Tarifa. The old man, who claimed to be the king of Salem, began a productive discussion with Santiago where he detailed various topics such as omens and one's personal legend. Finding the teachings to be of some value, Santiago decides to not give up on his personal legend and go on a journey to find his treasure. The teachings of the wise old man transformed Santiago into a determined and persistent character who eventually adopts the language of the world in order to discover his treasure. However, when faced with adversity later on in his journey, he finds it difficult to continue displaying this self trust. A great example of …show more content…
Since the beginning of the novel, it was Santiago's belief that the attainment of material gain or money would be immediately followed by happiness. Therefore, he maintained the belief that his goal in life was to become wealthy and gain social prestige. However, after his interaction with the wise old man, he learned that his life was so much more than just how much money he had or how well known he was. This idea of strife for personal superiority is thoroughly examined by Archana Kumari in her article Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist- An Exploration of Individual Physiological Dimension. kumari states that “striving for superiority is one of the fundamental laws of human life, without it someone's life would be unthinkable” (3). Although Santiago initially believes that happiness comes from having a great number of material assets, he is able to understand through the help of various people, such as the old man and the Crystal Merchant. During his journey, Santiago is reminded that money is rendered useless if he is not wise. For example, upon his arrival in Tangier, Santiago is robbed in the marketplace and left in a foreign country with nothing. This loss of everything came as a consequence of him trusting someone he did not know because he was eager to get to his treasure. As the novel progresses, Santiago learns to be more
In The Alchemist, Santiago’s wisdom gives him credible ethos. Santiago, is a boy that has been a shepherd for two years. He had one job, and it was to take care of the sheep. The only thing that the concerned the sheeps were food and water. As long as long as he knew the best pastures of Andalusian, they would stay with him.
In The Alchemist, Santiago experiences a reversal from good to bad. Ever since Santiago had this idea that everything in his path is a good omen to help guide him towards his treasure, he became a very trustworthy and open person, he only has good intentions, everything is happening for a reason. While in Tangier, he felt lost because nobody really spoke spanish at least he thought; however, a local man asked him a question in spanish then he was confused yet happy because someone spoke his language. Automatically, he told the man his travels and if he can help him take him to the pyramids and he’d pay him. He didn 't want to miss out on this opportunity that this man will bring him one step closer to the treasure he trusted his new friend.
Santiago is helped by many people on his way to finding the treasure. First was the gypsy woman that deciphered his dream and gave him a little nudge to get his journey started. The King played a more significant role, as he was the
Santiago then decides to pursue his dream and sets off on the venture of a lifetime with a set purpose of finding the fortune hidden near the Egyptian pyramids. In the course of his
The old merchant is too afraid too loose the things he already has then to pursue his personal legend, which then leads to a dramatic impact on his life becoming extremely ordinary and simple. The old king's situation is an extremely important reminder for Santiago in terms of him pursuing his own personal legend. He serves as a warning to him, that those that are too scared to pursue their personal legend face major
He digs for his treasure and finds it. As a master of both worlds Santiago decides to return to Africa with his treasure to find
For a few years, he grows very close and familiar with his beloved animals, wandering the pastures of his country, Andalusia. He then has a reoccurring dream that causes him to believe that he should find treasure hidden beneath the Egyptian pyramids. He goes on his way to sell his sheep so that he may have enough money to travel to Egypt. After selling his livestock, his money is stolen from him and Santiago is in despair and dreading the idea of starting over, or worse, returning home empty
While Santiago originally sets out for his treasure of material riches, the treasure he values most has been transformed to that of knowledge and love along his journey. The theme of treasure appears early on in the story and inspires Santiago’s journey. One night while herding his flock, he dreams that there is buried treasure waiting for him at the pyramids of Egypt. After seeking advice from a gypsy who interprets his dream, she again confirms that at the pyramids of Egypt, “there you will find your treasure” (14).
The alchemist educated Santiago with the development of confidence to be strong to himself and follow his own heart and dreams,"Drink and enjoy yourself," said the alchemist, noticing that the boy was feeling happier. " Rest well tonight, as if you were a warrior preparing for combat. Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You 've got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can
This is illuminated when the Alchemist says, “‘There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure’” (141). This particular moment shows that even though Santiago has both the ability and the knowledge to achieve his dream, it is impossible to attain it if he fears even attempting to reach it. Consequently, this fear acts as his enemy and a barrier that stands in the way of the meaningful and happy life he is destined to accomplish. Furthermore, another one of his fears is the fear of losing what he believes he has already earned. ” He reminded himself that he had been a shepherd and that he could be a shepherd again.
Even Though there was three different people who helped santiago find his personal legend, he had to go find it to fill complete. The king helped him first by explaining what a personal legend is. He tells Santiago about good and bad omens and says that it is the shepherd boy's duty to pursue his Personal Legend. Melchizedek then gives Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummim, with which to
Later in the book, he dreams of finding treasure, the idea of the dream coming true sparked his curiosity and so he went and found a lady to interpret his dreams, a gypsy. Santiago was so easily disappointed when he found out he must go to the pyramids in Egypt to find the treasure. Santiago is
Santiago escapes his comfort zone when he goes against his father’s idea of him becoming a priest and decides that he will do what he loves and travel, ultimately becoming a Sheppard. Doing what you love and pursuing your dream is essential in having a fulfilling, and meaningful life, this idea is very prevalent in The Alchemist because it is presented to us on two ends. We can see Santiago who is able to live out his dream, his personal legend. But then we can see the sad opposite, those who do not pursue their dream out of fear and stay in their comfort zone like the crystal merchant and the affect it has on them.
Santiago is shaped by his interaction with the Gypsy women, the King, the Englishman, and the Alchemist. All these individuals teach Santiago valuable life
The time that is covered during his road to find his treasure somewhere near the pyramids in Egypt by crossing the Sahara desert is at pre-modern time with no sight of any advanced technologies. With lack of guidance, Santiago had set out to find the treasure he has seen in his dream. Young and ambitious, he knew he would not be like his father who was afraid to follow his dreams and has lived with regrets. No matter of how many people he disappointed, he knew nothing would stop him and that was probably the wisest choice he has ever decided on. Hardships follow one to another throughout his path.