Journey of Self-Discovery: Unit Study Guide
The Alchemist; Exam Monday, 10/4
Poetry and Short Stories: Multiple Choice
 I Have a Dream:
 Who is the “author”?
 What is the theme of his speech?
 What emotion/idea does he express in the closing of his speech?
 House on Mango Street:
 Who is the author?
 Why doesn’t Esperanza want to take her great-grandmother’s place by the window?
 What does Esperanza mean?
 Why does Esperanza tell stories?
 Up-Hill:
o Who is the author?
o How many speakers are there?
o What does the resting place symbolize?
 A Return to Love:
 Who is the author?
 What does she say is our deepest fear?
 What does she say will happen if we let our own light shine?
 The Road Not Taken:
 Who is the author?
 Which road did the author take?
 What had made all the difference to the author?
 What does this journey symbolize?
 The Scarlet Ibis:
 Who is the author?
 Why did the narrator push his brother so hard?
 What did the narrator make Doodle do in the barn?
 The narrator says that often a knot of cruelty is born of what?
 How does the Scarlet Ibis symbolize Doodle? (list several ways)
 A Dream Deferred:
 Who is the author?
 What literary technique does he use many times throughout the poem?
 What is the author’s last guess at what might happen to a dream deferred?
 Narcissus:
 What was Narcissus’ punishment for refusing Echo?
 What grew in the pond where Narcissus died?
 Why did the lake cry after Narcissus’ death?
 Philosopher’s Stone:
 Who wrote this fable in 1859, though the concept existed before then?
 What was the greatest treasure on earth?
 The union of the true, the beautiful, and the good formed what?
 What was the handicap of the wise man’s only daughter?
 What word appeared on the “eternal life” page of the Book of Truth?
Other:
 Reader Response: Donut Example: What is in the center? On the outside? Meaning is formed from the
interaction of what?
 Goal of Class this Year: To grow as individuals and learners
Unit Vocabulary: Matching with Definitions and Examples
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Symbolism:
Character Development:
Dynamic Character
Allegory:
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Allusion:
Personification:
Flashback:
Idiom:
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Caravans
Mirages
Nostalgia
Oasis
Infidels
Intuitively
Expedition
Invoked
Monotony
Omens
Novel Vocabulary: Matching
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Alchemy
Capricious
Elixir
Dunes
Incessantly
Lamenting
Proverb
Levanter
Melancholy
Scabbard
Paulo Coelho Background: Multiple Choice
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In what country was he born?
What did his parents do in response to his dream of being a writer?
His involvement in what movement led him to explore types of mysticism and spirituality?
The route Coelho followed across northern Spain is known as what?
To what religion did he convert?
The Alchemist was originally based on what two stories?
The Alchemist: Short Answer
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List three examples of specific biblical allusions used in the novel – explain how they are used in the novel and
what they were originally in the Bible.
According to Coelho, what is the world’s greatest lie?
What is the secret of life, as given in the introduction?
What does the personal legend represent in our Catholic faith?
What are the four obstacles we face in trying to pursue our personal legend, as given in the introduction?
What is meant by the "language of the world"? Who is the Soul of the Universe?
The boy is repeatedly encouraged to read the signs and omens to learn what he should do. List 3 of the omens
that appear to the boy in the novel.
The Alchemist: Multiple Choice and True/False: You will have several multiple choice and true/false
questions over the novel, which may include but are not limited to the following:
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What does the gypsy ask for in exchange?
How does the boy spend his time when the merchant told him that the shepherd could not shear his sheep until
the afternoon?
Why does the shepherd decide to see the Gypsy?
According to the old man, what is the world's greatest lie?
Why does the shepherd decide against telling the baker what the old man had said about him?
What are Urim and Thummim?
What causes the shepherd boy to become distracted and, as a result, lose sight of the
young man who is holding his money?
Why does the boy stay on the job with the crystal merchant?
Why didn't the crystal merchant ever go on a pilgrimage to Mecca?
Where does the boy decide to go once he leaves the merchant's home?
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What is the name of the King of Salem?
What does the king ask for in exchange?
What had the shepherd's family hoped the boy would become as an adult?
Describe the shepherd boy's recurring dream.
According to the old man, what is the one great truth on this planet?
What does the boy see when he climbs the stone ramp that led to the top of the castle wall?
According to the "wisest of wise men," what is the secret of happiness?
What does the boy do to earn food to eat?
Which of the following is NOT a part of the five obligations outlined by the Prophet in the Koran?
Why does the merchant claim to feel worse than he did before the boy arrived to work for him?
Who befriends the boy on the journey?
What image does the main character see in the fortune teller’s tent which brings him comfort?
How large is the caravan the boy is traveling with?
How did the camel driver who befriended the boy come to be in this line of work?
What news does the caravan leader learn that causes the members to become more
cautious while traveling, especially at night?
What is the "Emerald Tablet"?
What is the solid part of the Master Work called?
Who was the boy who saved Egypt through his interpretations of the Pharaoh's dreams?
What causes a loud, thundering sound and throws the boy to the ground?
Who is the man on horseback?
What words does the alchemist say that echo those of the old king?
Before leaving the oasis, where does the boy go?
How do the boy and the alchemist find food in the desert?
What is it that the alchemist tells the boy that he has to listen to?
What is one thing that, according to the alchemist, the boy still needs to know?
Why don't the tribesmen take what is in the alchemist's bag?
How does the Englishman spend most of his time during the journey?
Who are the mysterious hooded men who sometimes appear?
What does the Englishman call "the principle that governs all things?"
What is the liquid part of the Master Work called?
Who is Fatima?
What "omens from the desert" does the boy share with the chieftains of the oasis?
According to the man on horseback, what is "the quality most essential to understanding the Language of the
World?"
What is the fate of the commander of the enemy battalion?
When riding out into the desert, what does the alchemist instruct the boy to show him?
What does the desert come to mean for Fatima?
Why is the boy disappointed when the alchemist writes in the sand what is inscribed on the Emerald Tablet?
According to the alchemist, what is worse than suffering?
What do the armed tribesmen find in the alchemist's bag?
Why don't the tribesmen take what is in the alchemist's bag?
Short Essays: You will have to complete one of the essays below, but will not know in advance which one
you will be assigned.
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You will have to write one short essay (5-7 sentence paragraph) comparing one of the four paintings to The
Alchemist.
You will have to write one essay explaining how Santiago’s journey to find his personal legend is an allegory for
life. What obstacles does he face, what lessons does he learn, and how does that symbolize humanity?
Quotes of the Week: Fill in the Blank: Extra Credit