The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho
Curiosity
In the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, Santiago's personal story is driven by the world of curiosity which opens doors and ideas that influence Santiago's perception. When the shepherd is examining the surrounds of his dull world, he notices the sheep's role of life when, "He had noticed that, as soon as he awake, most of his animals also began to store. It was as if some mysterious energy bound his life to that of the sheep, with whom he had spent the past two years, leading them through the countryside in search of food and water" (4). Santiago's references his life with the animals because his sheep are his closest friends and the characters whom he most relates to. His curiosity to the animals fits his character, for his simple life is centered around nature and the animal world. The sheep, like Santiago, have very simple lives, however, unlike the sheep, Santiago desires for something exciting and interesting to happen to him. As Santiago is in the process of learning the ways of an alchemist, he yearns for this excitement and progression when he says, "'How do I immerse myself in the desert?'" (127). Most people would give up when trying to discover their own Personal Legend, but Santiago's power of thinking is transformed by his curiosity for the pursuit of knowledge. The shepherd wants to go great lengths to achieve his Personal Legend, and the influence of curiosity only takes Santiago closer to reaching his goal. Curiosity strongly impacts his way of interpreting tasks and omens that Santiago later uses to guide him on his path. c.p.
desire to find love
In The Alchemist, Santiago's longing for love and friendship can be seen in his development and maturing personality on his journey to find his Personal Legend. Santiago first expresses his loneliness and desire for companionship early in the novel, expressed as Coelho writes:
He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said. So there were times when
he read them parts of his books that he made an impression on him, or when he would tell them of the
loneliness or the happiness of a shepherd in the fields. Sometimes he would comment to them on the
things he had seen in the villages they passed (4)
Santiago expresses how along he feels and his lack of companions which whom he can connect with, and even becomes envious of the sheep for living such a simple and pragmatic life. The shepherd is so desperate for company with someone to share his viewpoint of the world with that he becomes jealous of his closest friends, which truly is an emotional setback for him. When Santiago first meets with Fatima and develops feelings for her, Hesse writes, "The boy went to the well every day to meet with Fatima. He told her about his life as a shepherd, about the king, and about the crystal shop. They became friends, and except for the fifteen minutes he spent with her, each day seemed it would never pass" (96). Santiago has felt secluded for so long, yet his isolation immediately leaves his mind when he meets the person he had subconsciously been searching for. Santiago's attachment to Fatima demonstrates his abandonment of a world of isolation and confinement and entrance into a world of imagination and possibilities. Santiago's desire to find love changes his way of thinking and transforms his emotions into a foreign type of happiness. c.p.
He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said. So there were times when
he read them parts of his books that he made an impression on him, or when he would tell them of the
loneliness or the happiness of a shepherd in the fields. Sometimes he would comment to them on the
things he had seen in the villages they passed (4)
Santiago expresses how along he feels and his lack of companions which whom he can connect with, and even becomes envious of the sheep for living such a simple and pragmatic life. The shepherd is so desperate for company with someone to share his viewpoint of the world with that he becomes jealous of his closest friends, which truly is an emotional setback for him. When Santiago first meets with Fatima and develops feelings for her, Hesse writes, "The boy went to the well every day to meet with Fatima. He told her about his life as a shepherd, about the king, and about the crystal shop. They became friends, and except for the fifteen minutes he spent with her, each day seemed it would never pass" (96). Santiago has felt secluded for so long, yet his isolation immediately leaves his mind when he meets the person he had subconsciously been searching for. Santiago's attachment to Fatima demonstrates his abandonment of a world of isolation and confinement and entrance into a world of imagination and possibilities. Santiago's desire to find love changes his way of thinking and transforms his emotions into a foreign type of happiness. c.p.
Realization of truth
Santiago's understanding of the world's sincerity reveals how distorted his way of thinking and how incorrect his view of eager people had been all along. When Santiago is returning to a village to see the girl he is fond of, his struggle to conceal his feelings is described when Hesse writes, "But in his heart he knew that it did matter and he knew that shepherds, like seamen and like traveling salesmen, always found a town where there was someone who could make them forget the joys of carefree wandering" (7). The line "could make them forget the joys of carefree wandering" demonstrates Santiago's boredom with roaming on his own and his sense of feeling lost without direction. He acknowledges that he hasn't truly been present in controlling his life but rather following a life that is molded by external influences, which proves to be negative in forming his identity. Santiago's sudden desire for instruction and understanding the ways of an organized life demonstrates how enclosed Santiago's mind previously was. When Santiago is conversing with the Alchemist about how others have failed in becoming an alchemist, Santiago says, "'They were looking only for gold,' his companion answered. 'They were seeking the treasure of their Personal Legend without wanting actually to live out the Personal Legend" (125). Santiago's awareness of what people should not desire gives him a broader understanding of what it takes to become an alchemist. His comprehension of people trying to master alchemy without problem indicates how people can be shallow and conceited in only working towards what they want rather than what an alchemist is supposed to be. Santiago's awareness of the world around him reveals his expansion of perception and understanding of the truth behind all the influences that conform his life.
Search for identity
In The Alchemist, Santiago searches for his identity by observing the world around him, specifically the omens he notices and the experiences he lives through. When Santiago dreams of past events that led him to meeting Fatima, he says, "'I had a dream, and I met with a king. I sold crystal and crossed the desert. And, because the tribes declared war, I went to the well, seeking the alchemist. So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you'" (122). At this point in the novel, Santiago truly understands that each person has a destiny, and that they are always working towards an ultimate goal. In this case, Santiago's goal was meeting Fatima, a source of encouragement and a reward he decides to claim as soon as he realizes his true identity in finding his Personal Legend. When Santiago observes the world around him and discovers his own self-worth, Hesse writes, "The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles" (152). Santiago now understands that the goal of his journey was never to simply discover his identity, but to also learn how to incorporate what he has learned from his journey to the life that awaits him. Santiago's successful search for identity does not mean that his journey is over, but rather that he can continue in bliss and happiness with his newly discovered self.