Dialectical Journal For The Alchemist

Entry 1: The Pursuit of a Personal Legend Santiago, a young shepherd spent his life herding his sheep across field of Spain. When Santiago wakes up from his recurring dream of a treasure in Egypt, he seeks for mentors like Melchizedek, who helps him realize that the dream is his Personal Legend. A Personal Legend is something that one has always wanted to accomplish and one’s purpose in life. Melchizedek tells Santiago “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” (22). This quote explains to Santiago that even though the quest is not easy, it isn’t impossible. Melchizedek warns Santiago that some people fail to achieve their Personal Legend because of a “mysterious force” that distracts them. These mysterious

The Alchemist says that Santiago will “spend the rest of [his] days knowing that [he] didn’t pursue [his] Personal legend, and that now it’s too late” (120). In this line, the Alchemist encourages Santiago to continue to pursue his Personal Legend, instead of giving it up for what he has now. This also informs Santiago that time is limited. If he chooses to abandon his Personal Legend, he will spend the rest of his days like the crystal merchant, pondering what it would be like to fulfill his Personal Legend. The Alchemist explains that the process of pursuing his Personal Legend is more important than any dream that he wants to fulfill. The Alchemist says, “Don’t think about what you have left behind” (123). This implies that other desires should be set aside as a secondary role to one’s Personal Legend. One must be focused and cautious when pursuing their Personal Legend, or one might lose oneself on the

The book begins with Santiago’s craving for love with a merchant’s daughter to whom he has only spoken with a few words. This “love” is what takes Santiago off track from his pursuit of his Personal Legend as Santiago refers to this love as his main goal in living. However, when Santiago meets Fatima, his true love, it presents a more difficult challenge as it convinces him to abandon his Personal Legend. However, his love with Fatima is acceptable since Fatima encourages him to pursue his Personal Legend. Fatima says, “If I am really a part of your dream, you'll come back one day” (97). Instead of letting her selfishness take over (by wanting Santiago to stay), she tells Santiago to go off on his journey with a chance of never seeing him again. This shows that she is putting Santiago’s happiness before hers’ which exemplifies the meaning of