The Development Of Santiago In The Alchemist

The Development of Santiago in The Alchemist

Most protagonists in a novel go on a transformative journey. They are consistent and motivated, but they also have to evolve over the course of the story. This transformation begins with the modern protagonist in a position of deficit that makes them reluctant and scared, but each task on their journey changes them. In the novel The Alchemist, Santiago fulfills these elements of character development. Santiago suffers at the beginning from the feeling of being unfulfilled by life as a shepherd in Andalusia. Santiago goes on a journey facing crisis and complications of self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty, but remains determined and committed to fulfilling a Personal Legend. Santiago is finally transformed

For example, early in the journey, Santiago is robbed and left with no other option but to take a job at a crystal shop to save enough money to continue the journey. “‘Do you want to work for me?’ the merchant asked. ‘I can work for the rest of today,’ the boy answered. ‘I’ll work all night, until dawn, and I’ll clean every piece of crystal in your shop. In return, I need money to get to Egypt tomorrow.’” (Coelho, 49-50) This shows Santiago's resourcefulness and determination to achieve the goal of reaching

“Sometimes it frightened the boy with the idea that he might not find his treasure, or that he might die there in the desert. At other times, it told the boy that it was satisfied: it had found love and riches.” (Coelho,133) “‘I’m not afraid of failing. It’s just that I don’t know how to turn myself into the wind.’ ‘Well, you’ll have to learn; your life depends on it.’ ‘But what if I can’t?’ ‘Then you’ll die in the midst of trying to realize your Personal Legend. That’s a lot better than dying like millions of other people, who never even knew what their Personal Legends were. ‘But don’t worry,’ the alchemist continued. ‘Usually the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives.’” (Coelho, 146) These quotes show how Santiago is consistently characterized as a person who is determined to achieve one’s Personal Legend, even in the face of uncertainty and fear of