The Alchemist

1
The Alchemist

• Paulo Coelho
• ISBN 0-06-250217-4
• Presentation by Allyson Karaba

2
Characters

• Santiago a Shepard in search of his destiny.
  Santiagos passion and ambition inspires him to
  see the world and follow his personal legend of
  discovering a treasure in Egypt. He gains wisdom
  throughout his travels and this wisdom allows him
  to understand the mysteries of the world.
• King Melchizedek an old wise man who inspires
  Santiago to sell his sheep and pursue the
  treasure. Throughout the story he is a symbol of
  truth and his wisdom surprises and shocks people.
• The Alchemist understands the language of the
  world and helps Santiago understand that all
  people are connected to the soul of the universe.
  He serves as a guide to Santiago. He has the
  ability to turn lead into gold.

3
The Alchemist Theme

• "Tell your heart that
• the fear of suffering is
• worse than the
• suffering itself. And that no heart has ever
  suffered when it goes in search of its dreams,
  because every second of the search is a second's
  encounter with God and with eternity."

• This book has a central theme that if you do not
  follow your dreams then you will be wasting your
  life afraid of taking a chance, when you could be
  encountering an emotional, spiritual, and life
  changing experience.

4
Explication

• Lead will play its role until the world has no
  further need for lead and then lead will have to
  turn itself into gold

• This passage symbolizes a persons journey toward
  their future. The books theme is revealed in
  this passage the world has no use for a person
  who does not follow their dreams, so in order to
  turn into gold (be the person they were meant to
  be), they must find their purpose and live their
  dreams.

5
Discussion Questions

• A recurring theme throughout The Alchemist is the
  occurrence of fatalism (The belief that "what
  will be will be) in everyday life. What are your
  thoughts on fatalism? In any way do you agree
  with this quote from the book To realize one's
  destiny is a person's only obligation, the old
  man tells him. And, when you want something, all
  the universe conspires in helping you to achieve
  it."
• Are omens really out there and are they
  important? What are omens? Are they just
  illusions that we see to justify something we
  feel or want to do, or are they something more?

6
The Alchemist

• I believe this is a valuable choice read because
  it inspires and influences people to follow their
  dreams. This book explores the pilgrimage that
  life should be (M. Scott Peck). Understanding
  that the world will help a person toward their
  destiny if they trust in their dreams is the main
  theme in this book and is illustrated with
  symbolism and imagery.