AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION/MRS. GROTY
Summer Reading Assignment 2015-16
DESCRIPTION
This summer you will be reading The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho. Because our first unit is about
personal and historical journeys/myths, this
novel will enable a greater understanding of the
content you will encounter in August and
September.
DUE DATE
This assignment will be due on August 17. Please
be advised, this assignment will be your first
major grade, therefore a zero will heavily impact
your grade for the quarter.
Key Concepts
The Alchemist is written in a fable format.
Generally speaking, fables use recognizable,
simple characters and settings in order to
illustrate a simple truth about life or human nature.
The novel integrates ideas, philosophies, and themes of many faiths, historical periods, and
novels. Many of these ideas concern the pursuit of truth, one’s intended destiny and the
attainment of personal happiness. Coelho refers to these combined elements as one’s
“Personal Legend.” He tells the story of Santiago in order to teach us how we may find and
live out our own Personal Legends. Countless faiths and peoples have explored these ideas
since ancient times in one form or another. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism,
Christianity, Judaism, countless tribal cultures, in addition to ancient and modern
philosophers, all attempt to define the idea of one’s Personal Legend (though they may call
it by different names), and all subscribe paths to achieving personal fulfillment. Thus,
although the legend is about no faith or philosophy in particular, it is about all faiths and
philosophies.
Alchemy is the medieval “science” of transforming rocks into gold. Alchemy plays an
important part in the plot (literal level) of the story, but it also becomes a symbol, or
allegorical device, in the legend (figurative level). Coelho is really using characters, events
and symbols as tools to show us how to achieve spiritual alchemy. In other words, how do
we find or recognize the “gold,” -- our Personal Legend-- in the “rocks” of the everyday,
ordinary, simple details of our lives? As Santiago discovers, sometimes the “gold” is not
faraway, not glittery, not exotic, and not complicated, but it may require a journey of
courage, faith and perseverance to discover what it is and where it is hidden.
Vocabulary Definitions and Use
Directions: Define these words in your own words and use them in a sentence. Type out on a
separate sheet of paper.
***Please note: You will have a vocabulary quiz the week of August 17-21***
1. scabbard (37) 2. treasonous (129) 3. elixir (133) 4. brandish (112) 5. dialect (106) 6. flourish (145) 7. prognostication (111) 8. sirocco (146) 9. tether (151) 10.
tracts (126) 11.
centurion (158) 12.
avidly (159) 13.
scarab (161) 14.
sacristy (163) 15.
infidel (34) Before Reading Research
Directions: Before you begin to read the Alchemist, do some background research. Pick at
least 1 “topic for research” and write a 3+ paragraph essay about that topic (Please type).
Topics for Research:
1) Who is Melchizedek? What role does he play in the Old Testament? 2) What are the Five Pillars of Islam (p. 54)? What is the Koran? 3) Explore the concept of Soul of the World as different religions and philosophies define
it. 4) Research levanters, siroccos and other regional weather features described in the book.
While Reading Comprehension/Inference
Directions: In complete sentences, answer the following questions on a separate sheet of
paper. Be thorough in your responses. These are critical thinking questions, which means
you will have to go beyond what is written in the story...you need to INFER. Your grade will
depend on your thoughtful and insightful answers. Answers should be at least one paragraph
in length. Please type.
1. Why does Coelho open with the modified myth of Narcissus? How does the
new version differ from the original one? How does it change the myth’s
meaning? What might the author be suggesting about how we perceive the
world and ourselves? (Prologue) 2. The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he
observe about their existence? How might the sheep symbolize the way some
people live their lives? How does his observation that they “have forgotten to
rely on their own instincts” foreshadow what might be coming in the novel?
(pg.3-10) 3. The old man tells Santiago a story about a miner and an emerald. How does it
connect to Santiago’s situation? What does the old man mean when he says
that “treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by
the same currents?” What does this quote have to do with the story of the
miner and the emerald? (pg. 10-25) 4. What point does the old man make in the story about the boy in the castle and
the drops of oil? (p. 30-32) How might the old man’s story apply to us in our
modern lives? 5. How does the King assist Santiago in recognizing omens? When does Santiago
use this help? (pg. 25-33) 6. How do Santiago’s thoughts and perceptions about himself and the world
begin to change on pages 42-44? Describe 3 things that Santiago sees now
that he had never noticed before. 7. Write about at least one lesson Santiago learns when he is working at the
crystal shop? Why do you think Coelho chose to have Santiago work in a
crystal shop? (pg. 51-61) 8. The Englishman and his goals are described on pages 65-70. What is he
looking for? Give specific examples from the text. (Quotes and page #’s) 9. Define the word oasis (p. 86) in your own words and explain what it has to do
with the novel. 10. The oasis is described in great detail. How is its lushness, laughter and color
reflective of what Santiago finds there? Give specific examples from the text
(Use quotes and page numbers to support your answer). (pg. 87-104)
11. Explain how Santiago’s union with Fatima represents the Language of the
World (according to Santiago on page 98). Why does Fatima accept that her
new husband wanders the desert, as she explains on page 98? 12. What is the meaning of the two dead hawks in the oasis? How does this omen
change Santiago’s status in society? (pg. 104-116) 13. During their trek through the desert the alchemist tells Santiago, “There is
only one way to learn. It’s through action. Everything you need to know you
have learned through your journey” (125). What are some of the things that
Santiago has learned on his journey through action? Use quotes to support
your answer. (Minimum of 3 quotes/examples) 14. Why did Santiago have to go through the dangers of the tribal wars on the
outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the Pyramids? At this point, the boy
remembers the old proverb: ”The darkest hour of the night came just before
the dawn.” How does this apply to his situation now? At the end of the
journey, why did the alchemist leave Santiago alone to complete it? (pg. 133end) 15. Earlier in the story, the alchemist told Santiago “when you possess great
treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.”
At the end of the story, how did this simple lesson change Santiago’s life? How
did it lead him back to the treasure he was looking for? (pg. 133-end)