An Introduction to
The Alchemist
Consider the Following….

Fully describe a goal or dream that you are
working toward.
 What
is the purpose of this goal?
 What will it help you achieve after attaining it?
 What strengths do you possess that will help you
along the way?
“A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over –
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Paulo Coelho
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
Born in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil in 1947
He always wanted to be
a writer. In fact, at the
age of 16, his
opposition to following a
traditional path led to
his parents committing
him to a mental
institution.
Paulo Coelho




At the request of his parents, he
enrolled in law school and put
aside his dream to be a writer.
However, he dropped out of law
school in 1970.
He traveled through much of
South America, North Africa,
Mexico, and Europe.
He became a successful
songwriter; however, that led to
him using drugs and getting into
trouble.
Paulo Coelho



In 1980, he walked the 500-plus mile
Road of Santiago de Compostela in
northwestern Spain.
This journey was a turning point in his
life. He had a spiritual awakening.
In an interview in 1986, he said the
following: “I was very happy in the
things I was doing. I was doing
something that gave me food and water
– to use the metaphor in The
Alchemist, I was working, I had a
person whom I loved, I had money, but
I was not fulfilling my dream. My dream
was, and still is, to be a writer”
(Interview with Paulo Coelho BBC World Service
Book Club. December 2004.).
The Way of St. James was one of the most important
Christian pilgrimages during medieval times. Legend
holds that St. James’s remains were carried by boat from
Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on
what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. The
pilgrimage to Santiago has never ceased from the time of
the discovery of St. James’s remains.
Paulo Coelho



In 1980, he walked the 500-plus mile
Road of Santiago de Compostela in
northwestern Spain.
This journey was a turning point in his
life. He had a spiritual awakening.
In an interview in 1986, he said the
following: “I was very happy in the
things I was doing. I was doing
something that gave me food and water
– to use the metaphor in The
Alchemist, I was working, I had a
person whom I loved, I had money, but
I was not fulfilling my dream. My dream
was, and still is, to be a writer”
(Interview with Paulo Coelho BBC World Service
Book Club. December 2004.).
Paulo Coelho


"I always knew,” he
says, "that my Personal
Legend, to use a term
from alchemy, was to
write.“
He was 38 when he
published his first book.
The Alchemist

The Alchemist, Coelho’s

The Alchemist has sold
most famous work, has
been translated into 80
different languages.
150 million copies
worldwide.
Character List



Santiago – an Andalusian shepherd boy who is
determined to fulfill his Personal Legend, which is to
find treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids.
The Alchemist – a 200-year-old, extremely
powerful alchemist residing in Al-Fayoum who
understands the Soul of the World.
Crystal Merchant – a struggling merchant who
owns a crystal shop on top of a desolate hill. He is a
good-hearted person but has a crippling fear of
change.
Character List Cont.




Englishman – a well-educated science student determined
to learn the secrets of alchemy by learning from a true
alchemist.
Melchizedek – the King of Salem. He appears to posses
magical powers and helps those pursuing their Personal
Legend.
Gypsy – an old woman living in Tarifa who interprets dreams.
Fatima – a beautiful and chaste young “desert woman” who
lives at the Al-Fayoum oasis.
Themes in The Alchemist
The Centrality of Personal Legends
 The Unity of Nature
 The Danger of Fear

Motifs and Symbols
Dreams
 Maktub
 Omens
 Santiago’s Sheep
 Alchemy
 The Desert

Fable




Short narrative that makes a moral
point
Traditionally by means of animal
characters who act like human
beings
Legend about supernatural or
mythical characters or events
Why/How is The Alchemist
considered a fable?
Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to
reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or
political one
What is Alchemy?
It was the medieval
forerunner of chemistry,
based on the supposed
transformation of matter.
Also referred to as a
seemingly magical process
of transformation,
creation, or combination.
Two Main Goals of Alchemy


Medieval scientists practiced
alchemy, hoping to produce
gold from less valuable metals.
(Turn metal into gold)
Alchemists also desired to
develop potions, known as
elixirs, to ensure good health
and extend life spans. (The
Philosophers Stone and/or The
Elixir of Life)
Where Did Alchemy Come From?



Founded in Egypt, alchemy was
practiced throughout the
Mediterranean regions and as
far away as China.
They believed that all objects
consist of water, air, fire and
earth.
Early alchemy was controversial
and was opposed by many
rulers and religions
The Alchemist
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
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Personal Legend = Your
Destiny
Our job is to pursue our
personal legend despite the
many distractions placed in
our path.
There are 4 obstacles to
overcome before you can
achieve your Personal Legend:




People tell you that your dream is
IMPOSSIBLE to achieve
LOVE
FEAR OF DEFEAT
FEAR OF REALIZING THE DREAM
Lessons in The Alchemist

Trust your heart

Read the seemingly
inconspicuous signs


Understand that as you
look to fulfill a dream, it
looks to find you, if you let
it
Sometimes you can find
extraordinary in the
ordinary.
The Story of Narcissus

Once upon a time, there was a boy called Narcissus. He
was the son of a god and he was very, very handsome.
Many women fell in love with him, but he turned them
away. One of the women who loved Narcissus was a
nymph called Echo. Echo could not speak properly - she
could only repeat what was said to her, so she couldn't
tell Narcissus that she loved him. One day, when
Narcissus was walking in the woods with some friends, he
became separated from them. He called out "Is anyone
here?" Echo replied "Here, Here". Echo stepped forward
with open arms, wanting to cuddle him. But Narcissus
refused to accept Echo's love. Echo was so upset that she
left and hid in a cave, until nothing was left of her, except
her voice.
Story Continued…

The Maiden, a goddess, found out about
this, and she was very angry. She made
Narcissus fall in love with himself. When
Narcissus looked at his reflection in a pond
one day, he fell in love. He stayed on that
spot forever, until he died. Where he died a
flower grew, and that flower is called a
Narcissus.