Alchemist Themes Travel Fate Friendship Purpose Magic Love Dreams Religion Adventure Experience Alchemist Group Discussion Questions p. 8 “The jacket had a purpose, and so did the boy. His purpose in life was to travel.” Does everything have a purpose? p. 12 “Dreams are the language of God.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 14 “If it was a child who showed them to you , they exist.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 15 “The simple things are the most extraordinary.” Explain Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 15-16 “When someone sees the same people every day, as had happened with him at the seminary, they wind up being a part of the person’s life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 17 What is the author saying about people who don’t read? p. 18 What is “the world’s greatest lie”? Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 19 Why does the boy not ask where Salem is? Do people often act out of the same fear? p. 19-32 Melchizedek p. 21 “Everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is.” Explain. Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 22 Does “all the universe conspire to help you”? p. 23 “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 34 What is an infidel? p. 34 “Whoever has money is never really alone.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 37 Why does the boy trust the stranger? p. 41 What is the difference between a strange place and a new one? p. 42 How does the boy break out of the depression of the robbery? p. 43 Is there a language without words? p. 46 What does the author mean by: “both you and I needed to cleanse our minds of negative thoughts?” p. 54 Is it possible to help luck? p. 55 If my dream is realized, I will have no reason to go on living p. 58 Does every blessing ignored become a curse? p. 61 How does the merchant know that the boy will not return to his sheep? p. 64 Should Santiago go back to his sheep or go forward? Symbols: p.61 What do Urim & Thummim represent? Symbols: p. 64 What does the desert represent? Symbols: p. 65 What does the old king represent? p. 75-83 What is more important to read: books or the signs of life? Explain. Why is the Englishman disappointed with Santiago? p. 81 Is it wrong to simplify everything? Explain. p. 84 Does everyone have a different way of learning? Explain. p. 85 True or False: “If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.” Explain. p. 89 True or False: Guns help one to trust in people. Explain. p. 89 True or False: “Omens are a language used by God to indicate what we should do.” Explain. p. 96 Should Santiago abandon his quest for Fatima? p. 103 “If you can improve on the present, what comes later will also be better.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 122 “No reason is needed for loving…” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 123 “Men dream more about coming home than leaving.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 129 Is it important to listen to our hearts? Is it wise to trust our feelings? p. 130 “The fear of something is worse than the suffering itself.” Agree? Disagree? Why? p. 131 Why do “hearts only speak of treasures to children”? p. 133-4 Why do the armed men not believe the Alchemist? p. 136 Is it true that, “your eyes show the strength of your soul”? p. 141 “Only one thing makes a dream impossible: the feat of failure.” Explain p. 144-5 What really happens in the desert? p. 158 Does “every person on earth play a central role in the history of the world – and not know it”? Explain. p. 163 Where is Santiago’s treasure? p. 166 is life “generous to those who pursue their personal legend”? Symbols: What does the character of the Englishman represent? Symbols: What does the character of the Alchemist represent? What is your own personal legend?
