Paulo Coelho
What is your personal legend? How would you go about
pursuing it?

Alchemy: [al-kuh-mee] -noun, plural -mies for 2.
 A form of chemistry practiced in the Middle
Ages and the Renaissance.
 One goal of alchemy was to find ways to
transform cheap, common metals into gold.
 Another goal was to find an “elixir of life,”
which is a magical potion that could make
someone live forever.
a person who
studies or
practices
alchemy
 Another important term in this book is the “personal
legend.”
 In the story, the main character, Santiago, searches for
his personal legend.
 Personal legend = destiny.
 Our job is to pursue our personal legend despite the
many distractions placed in our path
 The Alchemist is a story about Santiago, a shepherd
boy
 It combines philosophies and faiths of many different
cultures and time periods.
 The message of the novel centers upon notions of:
 Personal truth
 Fate and destiny
 Personal happiness
 The Alchemist is considered by many to be a fable.
 The characteristics of fables are:
 Recognizable Characters
 Simple settings
 Personification: animals and parts of nature are often
given human qualities and characteristics.
 Teach a moral lesson: a truth about human nature or life
 Trust your heart
 Read the seemingly low-key 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.
Introduction by Coehlo. While it is not part of the
actual story, it is definitely worth looking into because
it describes the author’s thoughts and comments on
his success and on the true meaning of the book and
application into his life.
The Prologue introduces the alchemist and tells a new
version of the Greek story of Narcissus. The reader still
may not have any idea what the book is going to be
about, but the reader definitely knows to be ready for
deeper meanings to be explored throughout the book.
The book is divided into two parts:
Part One describes how the boy comes to realize his Personal Legend,
and ends by indicating significant growth in the boy. He has decided to
be the main force in controlling his own destiny, and will not let
misfortune distract him from his dream.
Part Two ends with how he finally reaches the end of his journey, but
then realizes where the treasure actually is.
***
Each part includes stars (like the example above) to break up the text.
The stars indicate a change of pace or change in subject within the
novel.
The book closes with an Epilogue that tells how the boy recovers the
treasure and sums up his journey.
This book is set up to feel like a story is being
told to the reader. While the boy Santiago is
the protagonist (hero), and the story is
about him, it is told by an omniscient
narrator who is able to give insights into
the personal growth of the boy. The narrator
makes many statements about life and love,
religion and destiny, and therefore gives the
impression of the divine.
Because the nature of this book is journey-based, the
setting changes throughout the boy’s travels. However,
in general the setting is the path from southern Spain
to the pyramids in Egypt.
Al-Fayoum (oasis in
Egypt)
Tarifa
El Cairum (p.76)
Salem (Jeru”salem”)
Nile
Tangier (p. 44)
Coptic Monastery
Ceuta (p. 44)
Moors (p.27)
Mecca (p. 54)
Sahara Desert (36)
 “Coming of Age one major theme is the intellectual,
moral, and spiritual development of a young
protagonist (Santiago). His experiences cross many
cultures, but his inner development reflects that of
most high school students.
 Journey—The boy takes a literal journey across many
lands in order to find the treasure that he seeks. The
book raises the timeless question of whether the
journey is more important than the destination.
 Fate versus Will
 Fate is constantly intertwined with free will
 How much of life is under one's control?
 How much is controlled by fate?
 The old king in the novel states that
the world's greatest lie is that "at some point
during our lives, we lose control of what's
happening to us, and our lives become controlled
by fate."
 Self-Discovery—Santiago must learn to trust
himself and learn how to trust others as he
travels to fulfill his Personal Legend. This is not
unlike the struggles of those who read the book.
 Charity—Santiago develops his ability to speak
in a universal language, which may be described
as charity. He learns how to see people through
eyes of love, just as Christ does.