Plot
In the beginning of the novel, what is Santiago’s dream about?
He must seek out a treasure located at the pyramids in Egypt
What unfortunate event occurs to Santiago in Tangier?
Someone robs him of his money
The alchemist tells Santiago what he needs to listen to and tame in order to find his treasure. What must he listen to and tame?
His heart
What lesson does Santiago learn from the fortune teller?
What is the scarab beetle a symbol of?
Every hero's journey begins with a call to adventure. What is the call to adventure for Santiago?
His dream to find treasure by the Pyramids
What does the fortune teller tell Santiago to do about his dream, and what price does she charge him?
She tells him to obey it, and she charges him one tenth of his treasure
After Santiago finds his treasure, what two people does he want to go see?
The crystal merchant introduces Santiago to the Arabic word “maktub.” What does this word mean?
It represents the idea of fate, and that whatever happens is meant to be
To learn by through experience and observing the world around you
What idea/concept do Urim and Thummim symbolize?
Fate
King Melchizedek and the alchemist play what role for Santiago on his hero's journey?
mentor/spiritual guide
An old man tells Santiago about the concept of a “personal legend.” Who is the old man, and what is a personal legend?
King Melchizedek, and one's destiny: your purpose and having the desire to become the greatest version of yourself.
What omen does Santiago’s heart tell him about where he should dig for his treasure by the Pyramids?
Dig where your tears fall
While Santiago is digging for his treasure, some wandering desert men approach him and plan to steal his treasure. However, Santiago manages to escape the situation by remembering a lesson the alchemist taught him. What was the lesson?
When you possess great treasures within you, most people won’t believe you
What does the alchemist say is the biggest reason people don't pursue their personal legend or fail in pursuing it?
fear of failure
What do Santiago's sheep symbolize
conformity/unfulfulled life not pursuing your personal legend
Urim and Thummim and the wool merchant's daughter play what role in the story in terms of the hero's journey?
the temptress
Compare and contrast Santiago and the crystal merchant. List one way in which they are similar, and one way in which they are different.
Both have personal legends, but the crystal merchant would rather live with the idea of having a dream, while Santiago actually wants to pursue his dream.
Compare and contrast Santiago and the Englishman. How are they similar, and how are they different?
Both are pursuing their personal legends, but the Englishman prefers to get his knowledge from reading books while Santiago prefers to gain knowledge by observing the world around him/immersing himself in his environment.
The old man says that most people don’t pursue their personal legend because they buy into “the world’s greatest lie.” The old man tells a story about a baker as an example: “‘When he was a child, that man wanted to travel, too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in Africa’” (Coelho, 25). What is “the world’s greatest lie?”
The people do not have free-will/ability to make decisions for themselves and control their own fate
What is one lesson the camel driver teaches Santiago that later helps him pass the alchemist's first test?
Do not fear death because everything has already been written by fate/is part of God's plan
What idea does the Emerald Tablet symbolize?
simplicity and connection to Soul of the World allows you to see the universal language.
The beginning of the adventure/threshold
The alchemist subjects Santiago to three different tests on Santiago’s road of trials. Briefly describe each of these three tests.
1.) Alchemist holds Santiago at sword-point asking him a series of questions to test his courage. The questions included what is a stranger doing in the desert, and why did you read the omen of the hawk's flight. Santiago shows courage by not fearing death.
2.) Find life in the desert, learn the language of life.
3.) turn yourself into the wind, must connect with soul of the universe/soul of God
1.) What 3 things does Santiago speak to in order to try to pass his final test? (in order)
2.) What does he tell them all is the strongest force that allows humans to do anything?
3.) How is Santiago able to eventually pass this test?
1.) the desert, the wind, the sun
2.) Love
3.) The sun moves out of the way so Santiago can directly connect to the heavens/God. By connecting to the Soul of God Santiago is able to use his power to do the impossible and turn himself into the wind
When they are just two days from the pyramids, Santiago asks The Alchemist to teach him about alchemy. The Alchemist says that Santiago already knows about it. Santiago is frustrated, because what he meant by the question was that he wanted to know the secret of successfully turning metal into gold. How does the process of alchemy compare to finding a Personal Legend?
Alchemy is about turning metal into gold, and by pursuing your personal legend, you are turning your current "lead" life into "gold." You accomplish this by focusing yourself, pursuing your true desires, and working on bettering yourself.
How does the novel’s prologue serve to introduce the reader to one of Coelho’s major themes/lessons of the story?
You can lead a good life by focusing on yourself. Self-reflection leads to self-improvement, and the way to lead your best life is to keep bettering yourself.
What is the symbolic significance of Santiago’s treasure being where it is? In other words, what lesson is Paulo Coelho trying to teach/reinforce to his readers by having Santiago’s treasure placed where it is?
The treasure is often right in front of us, but you can't get to your destination without experiencing the journey first
Santiago going back to Andalusia to find his treasure represents what stage of the hero's journey?
The Crossing or Return Threshold/Master of Two Worlds