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Santiago's Journey In The Alchemist

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TERM PAPER In Paulo Coelho’s novel, The Alchemist , Santiago’s journey portrays different aspects of life which can be incorporated to improve and enhance the quality of human existence. What does it mean to live a good life? What does it mean to be successful? What are the things which give us pleasure? How to handle difficult situations in life? How to cope with the fear of failure? With billions of people living on this planet ,the definition of good life may vary from person to person. One’s quality of life not only depends on individual perception but is also dependant on inborn capabilities , relationship with others and external situations. While some seek …show more content…

As time passes by, we suspect the possibilities of achieving our goal and allow others make choices for us. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how others should lead their lives, but none about his or her own [1]. Santiago faces a similar situation where his parents want him to become a priest but he wants to travel around the world in search of a treasure. It takes courage to take the road less travelled but the outcome of a self-made choice makes the journey more satisfying leading to a good life. And many a times during this journey we may face unfortunate events making it difficult to move ahead in life. Difficulties may just seem to be uncontrollable , one problem after …show more content…

“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon”[3] Is it possible to stay focused on our goal yet enjoy the simple pleasures of life ? We often become so engaged to achieve our target that we do not realize that we are missing a lot of things behind. When Santiago is asked by a wise man to walk around the castle and warned not to spill oil from the spoon, he misses the opportunity of seeing the beauty of the majestic castle and other precious things around him. In reality, the precious things were his flock of sheep and the relationships he had left behind .Therefore, while being focused on our target one should not forget to appreciate every little thing that enriches our life. Living each and every moment , acknowledging relationships and being grateful for what you have, makes the entire journey of life worth it. Thus, we should focus more on balancing things in life. We only need to prioritize things and observe our surroundings without neglecting the opportunities given to us in

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In the book the Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho) Santiago learns many things along the way to achieving his personal legend. He gained skills and experience in things across the board, from how to clean crystals, to the 5 obligations of Muslims, to the basics of alchemy. Santiago learns from the wise, and educated, but also learns the meaning of a true friendship. Overall it is true that reaching one 's personal legend is life 's greatest treasure, but often the journey is just as valuable.

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While at the Oasis of Al-Fayoum, the elder chieftain of the oasis tells Santiago the story of Joseph of Egypt. Joseph was enslaved for being a dreamer, but he persevered and managed to become an important counselor to the Pharaoh of Egypt. This Personal Legend could have suited Santiago because of his connection to the Soul of the World. The Soul of the World is a spiritual unity that binds all forms of nature together. Santiago knew he wanted to follow his dreams; it was helpful when he learned that “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it” because he knew he was now destined to complete his goal, and not somebody else’s (Coelho 64).

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All individuals have the power to define their own fate if they pursue their dreams, persevere, and have self-confidence. In The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, the protagonist, Santiago, is a humble shepherd boy. His parents urged him to study to enter priesthood but he had always longed to travel (10). He makes the decision to stop studying in seminary and instead becomes a shepherd.

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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.

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Through talks of Abraham and the Quran, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has an overlying theme of religion. The book follows the life of shepherd named Santiago and his journey throughout life as he wants to travel around the world, where he meets many people that give him advice on his journey. Like the prologue Narcissus story, The Alchemist itself has a message that is concentrating on oneself can unite a person to nature and the spiritual world. Only through single-mindedly attempting to reach his Personal Legend does Santiago learn the mysteries of the Soul of the World, for instance. Throughout the book, Santiago must put his attention first repeatedly, as when he decides to be a shepherd preferably than a priest and when he leaves the haven to continue on his journey.

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(Coelho 45 5, Coelho 46 4 9) When santiago losses his money he does not give up he learns and finds a man to help in exchange for food and in the end gets a job that he can do while learning the language of the locals, finding a way to egypt and developing his identity. This job allows him to make money and the strength to carry on in his journey. Later on in his journey he is faced even greater adversity and the same thing happens he is dejected and lost but picks himself up and preservers. “ “he is going to transform himself into the wind, just to demonstrate his powers. If he cant we humbly offer our lives for the honor of the tribe.”

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Santiago's journey. In the beginning of his journey to the pyramids, he realizes he is going to need to find a guide, because he is a simple shepherd who knows little to nothing about the pyramids. Even at this point he could just say “ I am a shepherd and I know nothing about the pyramids, why try”, but decides to follow his dream

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In the novel “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho there is a young shepherd named Santiago who is in search for his personal legend. Santiago’s personal legend is to find the treasure at the pyramids. Throughout his journey, there are a lot of emotions especially the emotion fear. Santiago encountered a lot of challenges like crossing the desert, being in a war and turning himself into the wind. He learned the different levels of fear; fearing fear, being in fear, and overcoming fear.

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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.”

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The decision was difficult as both options don’t provide him a steady choice. As being a shepherd does not promise him to be with the merchant daughter and for finding a treasure he need to give up his well settled life. But at the end he chose to find treasure as it allows him to purse his personal legend or dram of travelling throughout the world. He always considers his choice before taking a decision this can be seen through this conversation of Santiago with himself, “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.

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He has always told me that you will learn many things that will affect my future, but it will also be time for me to fall and after I become stronger and fight to realize my dreams. "Only one thing makes the dream unrealizable, fear of failure" (p 141)  When I read the story of Santiago in the Alchemist, I remember exactly what my grandfather said about how we fall and get up in this life. We are human that we do not think about the dangers of falling, but we want to reach our dreams and in my case follow the same legend as my grandfather.  Do what the heart says, She knows everything, because she is born of the soul of the world, and there she will return one

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