ipl-logo

Comfort Zone In The Alchemist, By Paulo Coelho

953 Words4 Pages

One of the things I believe to be most important in life is the ability to step out of your comfort zone and see the light, because once we do that, anything is possible. This zone, which looks and feels secure, shouldn’t really be called the comfort zone. It is not a pleasant place to stay. It prevents us from flourishing, and living out our dream. This life lesson is learned very early on in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. 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. …show more content…

Santiago undergoes many types of fear: a fear of dying in battle, a fear that he will not meet the expectations of the alchemist and a fear he will not ultimately find his treasure. A definitive lesson of fear that Santiago encounters is meeting the crystal merchant. He wants to make the journey to Mecca but the crystal merchant is consumed by his fears. He feels that once he’s made the trip he will have nothing else to live for. “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” (Coelho pg. 141) because of his fears he remains distant from a truly fulfill life. Santiago’ s life lesson to take from this is “The fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself…No heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.” (Coelho pg. 130) In the end if you can overcome the fear and adversity the treasure seems so much

Show More
Related

  • Night By Elie Wiesel And The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

    914 Words  | 4 Pages

    Santiago understands that everything from a grain of sand to God himself shares the same physical and spiritual essence. In coming to this understanding, Santiago also believes he can “conquer the world.” (Coelho,157). He realizes the importance of hope on his journey and that he can and will persevere to the end.

    Read More

  • Adversity In The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

    452 Words  | 2 Pages

    He is a stronger and smarter man because of what happened to him. Santiago hit a lot of adversity at the beginning of his journey and it prepared him for the worst of his journey. “Now he understood why the owner of the bar had been so upset: he was trying to tell him not to trust that man.” (Coelho 43). He lost it all and he was prepared for anything for the rest of his journey.

    Read More

  • The Themes Of Symbols In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

    771 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Here I am between my flock and my treasure, the boy thought. He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have.” (30) Santiago must realize that it is he that is holding him back and to take the risk. Once Santiago found out about the term personal legend he will take the risk. “There was nothing to hold him back except himself.

    Read More

  • Perseverance In The Alchemist

    532 Words  | 3 Pages

    By continuing he finds his true inner strength. In the story, the author shows the importance of perseverance, and how to face the many obstacles that people are presented in their lives to complete their goal. In Coelho's novel, Santiago faces many difficult challenges, but because of his courage and perseverance, he is able to face them head on. While in the town of Tarifa, Santiago meets

    Read More

  • What Is The Hero's Journey In The Alchemist

    711 Words  | 3 Pages

    Santiago's temptation is when he has the choice whether or not to stay with Fatima and abandon his Personal Legend. After leaving Fatima he has a difficult time coping with the separation, even if Fatima is a woman of the desert, who knows he will return. The Alchemist offers him a sole piece of advice, “love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend.” (120) Santiago’s heart is aching for the loving arms of Fatima. He realizes that he needs to focus on what he needs, pursuing his Personal Legend and not what he desires to be with Fatima.

    Read More

  • How Does Santiago Overcome Fear In The Alchemist

    522 Words  | 3 Pages

    Santiago felt very pressured but he didn’t fear to die this time because he knew that the universe was going to help him. Santiago overcame the fear of dying and turned himself into the

    Read More

  • Self Discovery In The Alchemist

    701 Words  | 3 Pages

    Santiago then tells the alchemist: “My heart is a traitor. It doesn’t want me to go on.” The alchemist replied with a smart answer and said “That makes sense. Naturally, it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.” A fear of uncertainty is what Santiago is feeling and he worries he’ll lose everything he’s accomplished so far.

    Read More

  • Decision-Making In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

    806 Words  | 4 Pages

    Decision-making through the theory of Existentialism Existentialism is a philosophy which means finding self or finding meaning of life. It is theory which talks about freedom. Paulo Coelho in the novel The Alchemist talks about Santiago’s dilemmas and how he takes decision.

    Read More

  • Identity In The Alchemist

    971 Words  | 4 Pages

    … The boy was shaking with fear, but the alchemist helped him out of the tent. … the alchemist continued, “usually the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives.”” (Coelho 140 6 8, Coelho 142 2) Just like before Santiago is afraid and doesn't know what to do in a situation of adversity. But he does not give up he perseveres and developes

    Read More

  • What Did Santiago Learn From The Alchemist

    503 Words  | 3 Pages

    When the alchemist presented Santiago with the choice to stay at the oasis, or leave and achieve his personal legend, Santiago struggled to find the correct answer. The alchemist let Santiago know that if he stayed in the oasis, for the first year his marriage would be great and so would his marriage. Over time Santiago and Fatima would drift apart, and he would loose his job. But on the other hand, if he decided to voyage into the desert in seek of finding his personal legend he worried that he might loose Fatima. He thought, "...

    Read More

  • Theme Of Fear In The Alchemist

    883 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Alchemist Comparison

    935 Words  | 4 Pages

    Santiago has an epiphany when he realizes that if you never change and take risks you will never move forward. He wants to find his “personal legend,” or true desire, and to obtain this he needs to change his own nature. He must be willing to give up whatever is necessary to achieve this goal, including freedom. On Santiago’s journey he becomes employed by a crystal merchant that never achieved his personal legend. The merchant resisted change and never accomplished his dreams.

    Read More

  • Santiago's Personal Legend In The Alchemist

    540 Words  | 3 Pages

    A personal legend is not just the result found at the end of Santiago's life. It’s more than simply reaching final destination. Santiago personal legend is achieved when he completes what he is doing. “It’s true that everything has it’s personal legend ,but one day that personal legend will be realized ,so each thing has to transform itself into something better ,and to acquire a new personal legend, until someday, the soul of the world becomes one only thing.”

    Read More

  • Fate In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

    511 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before finding his treasure, he must be courageous and clever to survive the desert and the danger that he encounters. This courage enables him to reach the treasure and fulfill his Personal Legend. The determination Santiago exhibits is what allows him to earn his fortune and decide his

    Read More

  • How Is Santiago A Weak Character In The Alchemist

    1033 Words  | 5 Pages

    Santiago is a young boy who yearns for adventure and purpose in his life.from a young age he knows he wants to see the world and becomes a shepherd to experience new places. Santiago still struggles to find meaning and purpose throughout his many years of travel though. It's not until he goes on the journey to follow his personal legend that he truly develops as a character. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, challenges readers to acknowledge their self-worth and realize they are strongest when they love themselves.

    Read More

More about Comfort Zone In The Alchemist, By Paulo Coelho

Open Document