Symbolism In The Alchemist

In the Alchemist, Santiago first feels that his Personal Legend in life is to travel. As Coelho says, “One afternoon, on a visit to his family, he had summoned up the courage to tell his father that he didn’t want to become a priest. That he wanted to travel.” (Coelho 8). His parents want him to become a priest, but Santiago felt the omens saying he had to travel, so he became a shepherd instead. This sentence shows that instead of following the path others wanted for him, he went on the path he wanted, which is what a Personal Legend is all about. After becoming a shepherd, he does not regret it even a little, as he thinks, “I couldn’t have found God in the seminary.” (Coelho 10). This shows that Santiago followed his will and on that day,

Santiago felt very torn apart when his money was stolen. He didn’t know whether to continue in the pursuit or return to his life as a shepherd. The omens told him he should continue, so he then became determined to keep going. He worked for the crystal seller and earned the money back. He faced tests and made allies and enemies. This time, however, was very important for Santiago and his confidence. When he regained the money, his confidence level went up; “He could always go back to being a shepherd. He could always become a crystal salesman again. Maybe the world had other hidden treasures, but he had a dream, and he had met with a king. That doesn’t just happen to anyone!” (Coelho 65). Instead of being sad that he took so long, Santiago is optimistic that he now has many options available. The time he had spent as a crystal salesman was all a part of his pursuit for his Personal Legend because he was working to achieve the treasure. On the way to finding his treasure, Santiago finds his true love: Fatima. When he must leave her to continue on his journey, his mind is split in two decisions. He can either stay with Fatima and be the counselor at the oasis for the rest of his life, or go in search of his treasure. The alchemist then clears up his confusion by saying, “‘You must understand that love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend. If he abandons that pursuit, it’s because it wasn’t true love… the love that speaks the Language of the World.’” (Coelho 120). Santiago realized that if his love is what is keeping him back, it is not true love. He knows that he must continue living life in pursuit of his Personal Legend and not take stops until it is achieved, so he goes on. On the way to the pyramids, he is given his biggest test: to transform himself to the wind. With great difficulty, Santiago does so. After this experience, it