The Alchemist
Introduction
Paulo Coelho
• Born in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil in 1947
• Always wanted to be a
writer
• Worked at various
professions
• https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=QP6FlebIU3I
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.
• His books have sold more than
65 million copies in 150 countries
and translated into 60 languages
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=rJhnF9J_CRc
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=Ckhbz4xuLfM
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Personal Legend = Your Destiny/
Calling
• Our job is to pursue our personal
legend despite the many
distractions placed in our path
• https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=gT8Fkd3CdZs
What is
ALCHEMY?
Alchemists have 2 main goals
 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
Setting
• Andalusia [an-dl-oo-zhuh] (south region of Spain)
• Tangier [tan-jeer] (a seaport in N Morocco)
• Al-Fayoum Oasis (basin in the desert immediately to the west of the Nile
south of Cairo, Egypt)
• Pyramids in Egypt
Major Characters
• Santiago (protagonist)
• Gypsy woman
• Melchizedek/ King of Salem
[mel-kiz-i-dek]
• Crystal merchant
• Englishman
• Alchemist
• Fatima
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 one day. Where he died a flower
grew, and that flower is called a Narcissus.