The Alchemist Setting

The main setting of this story is in Spain and the Sahara desert. To help detect the time period you must take into consideration that they do not have phones not cars but is still somewhat relevant because they speak English and have a glass shop which is somewhat relevant. The importance of the setting of this book is to show the amount of moving Santiago does from the very beginning of the book where he travels across southern Spain, across the Strait of Gibraltar, to Morocco, across the Sahara desert to Egypt, back to Spain, then Back to the desert. It gives Santiago the chance to learn a lot of ancient mysteries along with the author having the ability to give this book a wise aura due to the ancient civilizations. The timelessness of

One symbolic setting detail would have to be the pyramids that Santigo keeps looking forward to getting too. The whole setting of The Alchemist changes not only Santigo but the reader as well.

B: Plot and Plot Structure: This story is about a boy named Santiago who is a headstrong and wise shepherd. He has reoccurring dreams telling him to go to the Egyptian pyramids where he will find a great treasure. After seeking and finding help on whether or not to go to these pyramids, he decides to go. He gains money after a year by working for a merchant and learns a lot of life skills along the way. He cashes in his earning and decides to pursue his personal legend to find his treasure at the pyramids. He joins a caravan and along the way meets an Englishman who is studying to become an alchemist. He learns a lot about alchemy and the history behind it from reading the Englishman’s books. The caravan takes a stop due to war in a place called Al-Fayoum where Santiago then falls in love with a girl named Fatima. Santiago continues to travel to the pyramids to find his personal

The Alchemist is a person who purifies the metal into gold. Santiago on the other hand wants to purify his own soul and listen to his heart and speak the language of the universe, something special that every alchemist can do. The main significant ideas here that concern human behavior would be everyone fulfilling their own personal legend as this creates happiness. Following one’s own dreams is what will create a great and happy life. Also, the unity and becoming one with nature is a very large theme in this book as nature and human interaction together bind this world together. Finally, danger itself is to not be feared as Santiago himself had to overcome many fears just to reach the pyramids. Two symbols or motifs that must be considered are dreams and omens. Santiago experienced both of them as dreams show ones inner desires and communication with the world. Omens on the other hand are external fears and suspicions that Santiago must deal with to pursue his personal