alchemy Early form of chemistry, with philosophical and magical associations, studied in the Middle Ages. Its main goals were to change lead or other cheap metal into gold and to discover an elixir of perpetual youth. Also, an archaic name for Egypt. Al-Fayoum Large oasis in Egypt thought to predate […]
Read more Study Help Full Glossary for The AlchemistCritical Essays Symbols in The Alchemist
Cobra: The cobra is a symbol of danger and strength, especially male potency. Crystal Glassware: Fragility and clarity are the characteristics represented by the crystal merchant’s crystal glassware. Desert: The desert is symbolic of all the obstacles and hardships that stand between people and their dreams. In The Alchemist, characters […]
Read more Critical Essays Symbols in The AlchemistCritical Essays Themes in The Alchemist
Dreams: Dreams are central to The Alchemist’s action as well as its meaning. Santiago’s dream is the novel’s inciting incident (the event that sets the story in motion), and the author’s primary message seems to be that we should follow our dreams. Fate: Fate is often cited as a reason […]
Read more Critical Essays Themes in The AlchemistPaulo Coelho Biography
Coelho enrolled in law school as a young man but dropped out to travel, through Latin America, North Africa, and Europe. He became involved with a theater group as an actor and director and worked as a journalist, founding a magazine called 2001. He also wrote lyrics for rock songs […]
Read more Paulo Coelho BiographySummary and Analysis Part 2: Epilogue
Summary Santiago arrives at the abandoned church in his native Andalusia, to which he was able to return with the gold that the alchemist left him at the desert monastery. Digging in the sacristy beneath the sycamore tree, Santiago uncovers a chest of gold coins, precious gems, golden, feathered masks, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: EpilogueSummary and Analysis Part 2: Pyramids Episode
Summary Santiago rides his horse through the desert for many more hours, trying to listen to it again so as to learn the exact location of the treasure. His heart, however, isn’t cooperating — it is thinking about other things. Finally Santiago’s heart relents and whispers to him, “Be aware […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Pyramids EpisodeSummary and Analysis Part 2: Wind and Sun Episode
Summary Santiago is furious. How can the alchemist have set him up to do something of which he is incapable? The alchemist calmly explains that “If a person is living out his Personal Legend, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Wind and Sun EpisodeSummary and Analysis Part 2: Alchemist Episode
Summary Walking back to his tent, Santiago encounters a black-clad horseman with a falcon on his left shoulder. The horseman wears a turban, and a black covering across his face leaves only his eyes visible. He sits atop a huge white horse that rears up on its hind legs. The […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Alchemist EpisodeSummary and Analysis Part 2: Oasis Episode
Summary The next morning, Santiago awakens to see rows of date palms stretching across the entire desert where previously he had seen only stars. The Englishman is relieved to have reached the oasis; he can now find the alchemist. Santiago thinks about his treasure, and how far off it still […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Oasis EpisodeSummary and Analysis Part 2: Caravan Episode
Summary Santiago and the Englishman join the caravan, which consists of over two hundred people. Just before they leave, the Englishman says “There’s no such thing as coincidence.” Santiago reflects that “The closer one gets to realizing his Personal Legend, the more that Personal Legend becomes his true reason for […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Caravan Episode