Characters
What is the name of the protagonist (main character) of The Alchemist?
Santiago
Who are the first two people to encourage Santiago to pursue his personal legend?
The fortune teller and Melchizedek.
Who says "...whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth"?
Melchizedek
What did Santiago's parents want him to be before he became a shepherd?
A Priest
What are the names of the rocks that Melchizedek gives to Santiago?
Urim and Thummim.
What is the name of the girl that Santiago falls in love with when he comes to the oasis?
Fatima
How is Santiago's money stolen in Tangier?
He gave his money to a thief who said he would guide him to the pyramids.
Who says “…every blessing ignored becomes a curse. I don't want anything else in life. But you are forcing me to look at wealth and at horizons that I have never known. Now that I have seen them, and now that I see how immense my possibilities are, I'm going to feel worse than I did before you arrived. Because I know the things I should be able to accomplish, and I don't want to do so."
The crystal merchant
In the recurring dream Santiago has at the abandoned Church, who encourages him to seek treasure at the pyramids?
A child
What is the product of alchemy that can cure all illnesses?
The Elixir of Life
Who is Melchizedek?
The King of Salem
What is the climax of the story?
When Santiago must become the wind in order to secure the safety of himself and the alchemist
Who says “We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions or our property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand” ?
The camel driver.
What does Melchizedek ask Santiago for in return for directing him toward his personal legend?
1/10th of his flock
What is the product of alchemy that can turn lead into gold?
The Philosophers Stone
What personal story does the crystal merchant share with Santiago?
He has the desire to take a pilgrimage to Mecca, but the he thinks that the thought of going is what keeps him alive.
What dose Santiago realize about himself and his journey at the end of the story?
That true treasure comes from within himself and in his journey because that is where he gained valuable lessons.
"The alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves” What does this summarize?
The key insight that connects the practice of transforming metals through alchemy with the idea of human beings attaining spiritual perfection by pursuing their Personal Legends
According to the Englishmen, what is the name of the discovery that is the result of refining metal until all that is left is the Soul of the World?
The Master Work
Upon what item is the core secret of alchemy written?
The Emerald Tablet
How does Santiago meet the Alchemist?
When Santiago is in the desert the Alchemist shows up to test him with a sword to his head.
What is the treasure that Santiago finds under the sycamore tree?
A chest with gold and jewels
“What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one ‘dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’ What does this summarize?
The alchemist explains to Santiago why he had to endure so many trials from the universe and that it does actually want him to fulfill his Personal Legend
How dose Santiago feel when he meets a man who had a dream but did not follow it?
He feels happy and reassured the he made the decision to go on the journey he can see that the man that did not follow his dream is ignorant.
What job does the Al-Fayoum tribal chieftain offer Santiago to reward him for warning of invading armies?
Counselor of the Oasis