Fear. It is something that humans often feel or experience throughout life journey. A very hated characteristic known by mankind, not because of the feeling itself but because of the choices and decisions that it hypnotizes someone to make. This concept is very well portrayed in “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho through a character known as the Crystal Merchant. The author adds this character to the main character (Santiago) story not only to give a new lesson down the road to Santiago but to the readers as well. The novel reveals that Coelho emphasizes the significance of the outcome of one giving up their dreams due to fear of failure through the crystal merchant, a character who has done just that. The crystal merchant represents the fear of change and the comfort of routine. The old merchant is a character that we as humans often take comfort in because of how relatable a fictional character can be to such human life choices. He is afraid of taking risks and pursuing his dreams, as he fears failure and the unknown. In one section of the novel the crystal merchant states “I don’t want to change anything, because I don’t know how to …show more content…
The merchant has never acted on his dreams and has instead settled for a life of selling crystals. He is initially skeptical of Santiagos’ ideas but eventually learns from the boys’ young enthusiasm. The merchant ultimately decides to take a risk and pursue his dreams of going to Mecca. The character goes on to say “You have been a real blessing to me. Today, I understand some things I didn’t see before every blessing ignored becomes a curse”(60). The crystal merchant's character also serves as lesson to santiago’s journey. Highlighting the importance of knowing what lessons and “omes” one should