THE ALCHEMIST
Paulo Coelho
“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing
to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”
THIS PACKET CONTAINS THE REQUIREMENT FOR YOUR OUTSIDE READING PROJECT. MAKE
SURE THAT YOU ARE CONTINUOUSLY READING THE BOOK, ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS,
ANNOTATING, AND REFLECTING IN THE DIALECTICAL JOURNAL.
EXPECTATIONS:
I.
Know Coelho’s FOUR obstacles:
o They are the basis for your whole understanding of the novel
II. Annotate the novel as you read
o Have the four obstacles annotated
o Write personal comments about each obstacle IN THE MARGINS
o ANNOTATE Different places, people and events
o Don’t just highlight
III. Briefly write the answers to the attached study guide as you read.
o Read the questions before you read the chapter
o This will help you remember facts for the final exam
o WHEN YOU FIND THE ANSWER, ANNOTATE IN THE MARGINS!!!
IV. The literal and figurative chart
o Explain the literal meaning of each example; this is what it means in the story (for Santiago)
o Explain the figurative meaning of each example.
 This is the meaning beyond Santiago’s story
 the deeper meaning that we can use to relate to life in general.
 It is what you believe the literal person/place/ idea represents for real individuals lives outside
of the novel
 and how it relates to Coelho’s four obstacles.
 BASICALLY, HOW CAN ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME RELATE TO THIS BOOK
o Explain in detail because the figurative meaning is the most important aspect that reveals your personal
understanding of this very symbolic story.
o Students sometimes see the figurative meaning differently. This is okay. We will share our own
interpretations of the figurative meanings in the book club meeting when everyone is done.
HAPPY READING Y’ALL!
LITERAL & FIGURATIVE CHART
PART ONE OF THE ALCHEMIST:
As you are reading, look for the Allegorical characters, objects, places, people, concepts that appear in the novel. Annotate them.
Then right their literal meaning (actually are/denotation: dictionary definition) and then explain their figurative meaning
(symbol/connotation)
Allegorical
Character
Object,
Place,
People,
Concepts
Sheep
Gypsy
Santiago’s
Father
Andalusia
The
Merchant
Girl
Jacket
Literal Meaning
Figurative Meaning
Melchizedek
The
Principle of
Favorability
Salem
Baker
Omens
Personal
Legend
Levanter
Urim and
Thummim
Tangier
The Thief
PART TWO OF THE ALCHEMIST
Allegorical
Character
Object,
Place,
People,
Concepts
Crystal
Merchant
Literal Meaning
Figurative Meaning
Mecca
Maktub
Desert
Englishman
Oasis
Alchemy/Al
chemist
Philosopher
’s Stone
Language of
the World
Caravan
Driver
Soul of the
World
Emerald
Tablet
Elixir of
Life
Fatima
Pyramids of
Egypt
Sycamore
Tree
(at the
sacristy)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Study Guide Questions
Directions: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. They can be hand written or typed.
Prologue and pages 3-10*
1.
Why do you think Paulo Coelho uses the legend of Narcissus in the prologue and why does the lake weep for Narcissus?
2.
The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence and how do the sheep
symbolize the way some people live their lives? Why does he say they “have forgotten to rely on their own instincts”?
3.
How does Santiago’s father react when his son tells him that he wants to travel and which of Coelho’s Obstacles does this
relate to?
Pages 10*- 25*
1. Why do you think the old fortuneteller (the Gypsy) says that Santiago’s dream is difficult to interpret and why is Santiago
suspicious of her?
2.
How are Santiago and “the merchant girl” different? What does she make him feel that he has never felt before and which
Obstacle does this relate to?
3.
What is Santiago’s reoccurring dream?
4.
What does Melchizedek say is the “world’s greatest lie.”?
5.
The old man tells Santiago a story about a miner and an emerald. How does it connect to Santiago’s situation?
6.
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?
7.
What does the Gypsy ask in return for her advice and what does Melchizedek? What is the difference between the two
requests?
Pages 25*-47*
1. When Santiago climbs to the top of the castle in Andalucia what does he see that helps him make a decision about his
journey?
2.
How does the King assist Santiago in recognizing omens and what omen does Santiago first notice after the King tells him
that he “will have to follow the omens” to find his treasure?
3.
Why does the old man give Santiago Urim and Thummim?
4.
What point does the old man’s story about the boy in the castle and the drops of oil make?
5.
What was frustrating to Santiago when he first lands in Tangiers, Africa?
6.
What happens in Tangiers that almost makes Santiago want to return home?
Pages 51 – 79*
1.
What lessons does Santiago learn by working at the crystal shop? List as many as you can. Why do you think Coelho chose
to have Santiago work in a crystal shop?How does the crystal merchant’s explanation for NOT taking the pilgrimage to
Mecca highlight the difference between Santiago and the merchant?
2.
List all the different ways, Santiago has an effect on the merchant.
3.
What does the merchant say about Santiago’s journey home when Santiago asks for his blessing?
4.
What changes Santiago’s mind about going home and where does he decide to go instead?
5.
The Englishman and his goals are described on pages 65-70. What are they? What does the Englishman demonstrate to
Santiago that he already knows?
6.
Who are the “hooded men” that appear and why is the caravan leader very cautious in traveling?
7.
On page 78, the Englishman says that the progress made at the crystal shop is an example of the principle of the SOUL OF
THE WORLD. What does he mean? How does he define this?
8.
How does the Englishman connect the idea to the relationship between the caravan and the desert?
Pages 80-87*
1.
What are the Englishman’s books about and Why is the Englishman in Africa?
2.
What is the “Emerald Tablet”?
3.
What is an “elixir” and the meaning of “The Elixir of Life”?
4.
Describe the solid part of “The Philosopher’s Stone.”
5.
What is the advice of the camel driver of the caravan?
6.
Define the word Bedouins (p. 84) and explain what they have to do with the novel.
7.
Define the word oasis (p. 86) and explain what it has to do with the novel.
Pages 87-104*
1.
The oasis is described in great detail. How does its lushness, laughter and color reflect what Santiago finds there?
2.
Where else in the novel does Coelho provide details about the physical setting in order to lend more meaning to the events
which occur there?
3.
Explain how Santiago’s union with Fatima represents the Language of the World, according to Santiago on page 98.
4.
Why does Fatima accept that her new husband wanders the desert, as she explains on page 98?
5.
How are Santiago’s feelings different for Fatima than for “the merchant girl?”
Pages 104*- 132*
1.
What is the meaning of the two dead hawks and the falcon in the oasis?
2.
How does this omen change Santiago’s status in society.
3.
Who was the boy who saved Egypt through his interpretations of the Pharaoh’s dreams?
4.
Who is the man on horseback and what does he believe is “the quality most essential to understanding the Language of the
World?
5.
What words does the alchemist say that echo those of the Melchizedek?
Pages 132-152*
1.
When they are captured by a tribe, the Alchemist claims that the boy is able to do something magical. What is it?
2.
Santiago is upset that the alchemist gives all his money to the Arab chief. What is the alchemist’s reason for his action?
3.
Who does Santiago call upon to help him perform this magical feat when the desert cannot help him?
4.
What is the reason that Santiago gives for the existence of “alchemy?”
5.
When Santiago is told by the sun to “Speak to the hand that wrote all,”who does this refer to?
Pages 153-167*
1.
What is the legend that the Arabs recount for generations thereafter?
2.
What magical feat does the alchemist perform at the monastery?
3.
The alchemist describes a dream to the boy about a centurion. What did that centurion say that was remembered for all time?
4.
When Santiago gets to the Dunes and sees the Pyramids, what does he see in the sand and what is important about this event?
5.
What happens at the Pyramids that causes Santiago to return to Spain and how does he get the money to make the journey?
6.
What does Santiago find beneath the sycamore tree in the ruined church? What did this final discovery mean to you?