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The Alchemist
Study Guide
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo, is a timeless and entertaining tale that is
deceptively simple upon first glance, but in all actuality, is heavy-laden with symbolism
and universal truths. It illustrates the journey we all take to find the most meaningful
treasure in our lives.
Santiago, a shepherd boy, literally follows his dream to fulfill his own Personal
Legend. His quest takes him from Andalusia to the pyramids of Egypt. Through his
journey, we learn we must trust our hearts, learn to read seemingly inconspicuous signs,
and that, as we look to fulfill our own dream, that personal dream looks to find us at the same time.
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Pre-Reading Reflection:
Coehlo states that “simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them.” Think about
something in life that you consider to be both simple and valuable. In the space below, identify that “simple
thing” and explain why you view it as valuable.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Please highlight the parts of the following information that seem important for your understanding.
Note: Page numbers refer to the hardback copy of the book.
The Alchemist is written in allegory format. What is an allegory, and why would Coelho use it to tell his story?
Generally speaking, allegories are a form of extended metaphor, with heavy symbolism. People, names,
places, objects, and the like hold both literal and figurative meaning. The figurative meanings in an allegory
often represent intangible concepts such as greed or hope. The allegory usually teaches some universal lesson.
While you read, pay close attention to the strong symbolism. Take notes on when/where/how symbols
appear in the book, and what you think they could represent. Mark page numbers and use sticky notes to
keep track of your thinking! (After completing the novel, you will participate in a small group project that will
require you to be familiar with these particular symbols.)

Narcissus story (or reflections)

Sheep

The King

The Gypsy
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
The Thief

Crystal Shop & Owner (or the common worker)

The Alchemist

The Oasis

Fatima (or any love interest)

The Pyramids

The Desert and/or Winds

Treasure

Dreams
Even though you may not initially understand some of the unusual terminology in the story (Soul of the World,
for example), its themes are ones which are probably familiar to you. Can you think of some old, familiar
proverbs or songs that capture some of these ideas?
The novel integrates ideas and philosophies of many faiths and historical periods. Many of these ideas
concern the pursuit of truth, one’s intended destiny and the attainment of personal happiness. Coelho refers
to these combined elements as one’s “Personal Legend.” He tells the story of Santiago in order to teach us
how we may find and live out our own Personal Legends. These ideas, though, have been explored since
ancient times in one form or another by countless faiths and peoples. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism,
Christianity, Judaism, countless tribal cultures, in addition to ancient and modern philosophers, all attempt to
define the idea of one’s Personal Legend (though they may call it by different names), and all subscribe paths
to achieving personal fulfillment. Thus, although the legend is about no faith or philosophy in particular, it is
about all faiths and philosophies.
Alchemy is the medieval “science” of transforming rocks into gold. Alchemy plays an important part in the
plot (literal level) of the story, but it also becomes a symbol, or allegorical device, in the legend (figurative
level). Coelho is really using characters, events and symbols as tools to show us how to achieve spiritual
alchemy. In other words, how do we find or recognize the “gold,” -- our Personal Legend-- in the “rocks” of
the everyday, ordinary, simple details of our lives? As Santiago discovers, sometimes the “gold” is not
faraway, not glittery, not exotic, and not complicated, but it may require a journey of courage, faith and
perseverance to discover what it is and where it is hidden.
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In an interview, Paulo Coelho talks about “Four Pillars of Alchemy– four important “tips” for finding one’s
Personal Legend:
1. One must believe in “The Soul of the World.” The ancient Latin term for this concept is “anima
mundi.” In short, this idea suggests that everything in the world is interconnected; that is, what one
does affects everything else, from the smallest grain of sand to the largest whale, and vice versa.
Writers and thinkers such as Plato, Walt Whitman and Khalil Ghibran have attempted to illustrate this
interconnectedness in their works.
2. One must listen to the voice of the heart. Coelho suggests that sometimes we must follow our feelings
and intuitions, even if we do not fully understand them. Through feeling, one gains wisdom.
3. One must be faithful to one’s dreams, for they both test and reward us. In other words, the path to
achieving one’s Personal Legend may not be an easy one, but we must endure the tests in order to gain
the rewards.
4. One must “surrender oneself to the universe.” Coelho suggests that we must allow ourselves to be
open to recognizing and learning from omens and signs which come our way.
Alchemist Vocabulary WEBQUEST
Listed below are vocabulary words and literary allusions that are found in the
novel. As you read and interpret The Alchemist, please write in the spaces below a
brief explanation of each of the terms. I have filled in some of the terms for you. If you cannot derive the meanings on
your own, please conduct your own Webquest, searching for further explanations on the Internet. You will be expected
to know and understand these terms. You are encouraged to use Dictionary.com to fill in the definitions for the terms
that remain.
scabbard—
conspire—
scimitar— a curved, single-edged sword of Oriental origin
prognostication—
centurion— a commander of a century in the ancient Roman Army
scarab— representation or image of a beetle (sacred to ancient Egyptians – symbol of the soul)
alchemy—
elixir of life – p. 66 —
sirocco—
sacristy—
infidel—
Moors— a member of a Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent living chiefly in NW Africa
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Narcissus (Classical Mythology)— Prologue
Personal Legend - p. 21— purpose to live – your dreams/goals
The Soul of the World – p. 22— mysterious chain that links us together
Levanter— p. 27
Esperanto – p. 66—“one who hopes” – a language (universal “second” language)
Simum - p. 148— vicious wind in the desert
Principle of Favorability – p. 29— beginner’s luck
Urim and Thummim – p. 30— The Urim "lights" and Thummim "perfections" were gemstones that were carried by
the High Priest of Israel on the ephod / priestly garments. They were used by the High Priest to determine God's will in
some situations. Some propose that God would cause the Urim and Thummim to light up in varying patterns to reveal
His decision. Others propose that the Urim and Thummim were kept in a pouch and were engraved with symbols
identifying yes / no and true / false. Either way, both stories symbolize the subconscious which tells us the right
direction to go
Koran – p. 54—
Mecca—
Allah – pp. 71 & 97—
Maktub – p. 59— Arabic word = “it is written” or “destiny” (fate)
Philosopher’s Stone – p. 60— legendary substance supposedly capable of turning inexpensive metals into gold
(“holy grail” of western alchemy)
Master Work – p, 80— God’s creation of the world in 6 days
Emerald Tablet – p. 126— ancient text – foundation of alchemist art
King Melchizedek – p. 82— figure in Christian and Judaic traditions – Priest: blessed Abram after defeating
kings of Babylon
Hookah – p. 114 —
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The Alchemist Guided Reading
Part I: The Journey Begins
Santiago meets several individuals at the beginning of the book who are instrumental in encouraging him to fulfill his
dream of finding treasure at the pyramids.
List the people he meets.
1.
2.
3.
Part One of the novel also introduces some of the many lessons Santiago learns on his way to finding his treasure.
While you read, be attentive to these lessons and attempt to identify at least five:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Part II: Santiago’s Treasure
Part Two begins by showing how the experiences of others can lead you to the right path.
1. Describe what the crystal merchant teaches Santiago about the regrets for unfulfilled dreams.
2. What is the crystal merchant afraid of that Santiago is not? (This is the difference when one seeks his own Personal
Legend.)
3. What does the merchant already know about Santiago regarding his pursuit of his dream?
The two stones falling out of Santiago’s pack are omens of the future.
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4. What do the stones foreshadow?
The Englishman is another character who will provide an example to Santiago to either follow or reject. He is seeking
his Personal Legend also, but he has spent a long time stuck in one spot and needs help to move on. Like Santiago, he
will be given guidance from the alchemist to find his way on the path God has set.
5. How would events play out differently if Santiago did not have the two stones? How does the universal language
apply to Santiago regarding the Englishman and his knowledge of the alchemist?
6. “The boy was becoming more and more convinced that alchemy could be learned in one’s daily life.” (page 81) Explain
the significance of this line.
At this point in the book, we begin to understand the idea that even though we are all part of the One Thing, we don’t
always understand each other.
7. Why is living for the present a gift? Think about the desert crossing and avoiding the war. When does Santiago come
to realize the reality of the present?
8. The Alchemist is very wise and transmits to the reader some basic truths on pages 86 - 87. What are they?
9. What does Santiago learn about the nature of omens (page 89)?
10. One of the omens involves Fatima with whom he falls in love. What is so special about her?
11. Santiago learns two important lessons: one, he learns that The Tradition of the oasis tribes is very much like the
concept of the Soul of the World. It teaches men how to live and is followed very strictly; second, he learns that
something is the most essential quality of the Language of the World. What is that something? (page 111)
12. Santiago realizes there is only one way to learn (page 125). What has Santiago experienced that has allowed him to
learn?
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At this point in the story, the alchemist offers four lessons:
a. When you tell someone about your personal treasure, they seldom believe you. Truth is often not recognized.
b. Our heart tells us what our strongest qualities are and how it often protects us from danger, if we listen to it
while on the journey to our treasure.
c. Be pure of heart and seek our treasures with the best of intentions.
d. All things created by God have their own Personal Legends and they will never cease to exist because of it.
13. The alchemist sets Santiago up in the greatest trial of his journey. What is it?
14. What must Santiago be connected to in order to succeed? (page 152)
At this point in the book, the author combines fantasy and the reality that we base on faith. Santiago speaks to the
desert, the wind, the sun, and the Hand that has written everything. In the process, he finally learns that miracles can
only happen when we understand the Master Work: that God created the world in six days and allowed it to evolve to
become what it is now. And we are all a part of that Master Work.
15. Santiago appears to have created sorcery, but in reality, he has found the ultimate truth we would all like to be a
part of. What is it?
16. Why does the alchemist make a point of showing Santiago how to make gold from lead (his own Personal Legend
that became a reality)?
17. Santiago’s heart tells him to follow his tears and on the very spot where his tears fall, the scarab beetle, a sacred
omen, makes him decide to dig it this spot. What happens? Why is this ironic?
EPILOGUE
18. The epilogue shows the reader the reward that comes to those who strive through
many trials and tribulations to find their Personal Legend. Santiago finds his treasure, but
it’s not the gold and the jewels that leave a lasting impact on him. What does?
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