The Epic Journey
“You already know about alchemy. It is about penetrating to the Soul of the World, and discovering the treasure that has been reserved for you.” (Coelho 130) Santiago, the main character in The Alchemist, met an ancient alchemist and through his guidance fulfilled his quest to reach the pyramids of Egypt, only to return to his home. While on this quest, Santiago learned that alchemy isn’t only about concocting potions, but more deeply about discovering the Soul of the World. The alchemist had been waiting for this special pupil, Santiago, in order to pass on his special wisdom to guide him to his destiny. Santiago started his journey in Andalusia, Spain and ultimately ended it in Spain. Throughout the book he traveled through many areas in North Africa and ending most importantly in Egypt. During this journey he met exotic people and found love. Santiago’s quest tested his courage and ensured he was able to become a grown man. Ultimately, what made Santiago the unique person that the alchemist had been waiting for, were Santiago’s special qualities. Santiago, the protagonist of The Alchemist, was able to successfully uncover his destiny because he was adventurous, determined and insightful.
Throughout his journey, Santiago benefited from his love of adventure and what followed from it. At the beginning of the novel, we learned that Santiago’s family wanted him to become a priest. They had entered him into the seminary and he had a very comfortable life there. However becoming a priest didn’t match his adventurous spirit. “But ever since he had been a child, he wanted to know the world, and this was much more important than knowing God and learning about man’s sins.” (Coelho 8) This reveals that Santiago wasn’t as connected to learning about God, as he was in traveling and observing new things. While he was traveling as a shepherd, Santiago arrived in Tarifa to have his recurring dream interpreted by a gypsy. Even though he was a bit frightened by what he had heard about gypsies, he still pursued having his dream interpreted. The gypsy revealed that he had to travel to Egypt. Santiago was quite disappointed with what he heard because it seemed like an impossible mission. In addition, the gypsy asked for 1/10th of the treasure that he would excavate. Despite these challenges Santiago accepted the gypsy’s mission (which was confirmed by Melchizedek) because his sense of adventure was so strong. A final example of Santiago’s adventurous spirit is that he traveled alone with the alchemist during a war. Even though Santiago and the alchemist knew that there was a war going on in the desert, they still set off. They were seeking adventure and they knew that by waiting they may never achieve their destiny. When Santiago was captured by the army, his real challenge emerged. The fact that he continued to the pyramids alone (without the alchemist) after this trial showed how truly adventurous he was. He started in Andalusia, Spain and journeyed all the way to Egypt and back in search of his treasure. Because of his adventurous nature, Santiago was able to find his treasure, and fall in love with Fatima.
One of the most important qualities that Santiago possessed was being determined. To begin with, an example of Santiago’s determination was when his money was stolen in the plaza in Tarifa, but he still didn’t give up. Santiago trusted a stranger with the money that he had earned from selling his sheep. He thought that the young man could look over his money while they were searching for a passage to Egypt. However the young man stole Santiago’s money. After sleeping alone in the market he decided not to give up and to continue on his quest. A second example was when he had money again, the money he earned from the crystal merchant. He gained enough money so that he was able to return to Andalusia, Spain. When he sat in the same bar that he did with the young man, he started to question his decision about his return. “Yet the boy felt that there was another way to regard his situation: he was actually two hours closer to his treasure…” (Coelho 61) Santiago ended up choosing the path that would lead him closer to his treasure which showed his determination to carry on. Finally, the ability of Santiago to leave Fatima and the oasis even though he was so in love with her showed his determination. When Santiago met up with Fatima he suddenly fell deeply in love with her and realized she was the girl of his dreams. Even when Fatima told Santiago to forget about her, he couldn’t because he was determined to stay with her for the rest of his life. When he managed to leave her because of his determination to find his treasure, they still knew that no matter where they were, the desert was a sign of hope and his return. Determination was the key to Santiago’s success. Because he possessed this trait he was able to survive and actually learn along the way.
The final character trait of insightfulness is one of the best qualities that someone can have, because it helps them make wise decisions. One of the wisest set of decisions that Santiago made was creating ideas to help the crystal merchant. The moment Santiago followed through on his first insight and cleaned the glass in the store, two couples entered the store and purchased crystal. Further ideas that Santiago brought to the crystal merchant helped both of them become more successful. This aided Santiago and provided him with enough money to continue on his journey. Subsequently, Santiago showed his insightfulness by following the omens of the hawks. He believed that the hawks were signs that an enemy army was going to invade the oasis. The residents of the oasis were distrusting because they believe that no one attacks an oasis. However, through his insights Santiago was able to protect them. The ultimate example of the boy’s insightfulness was his ability to become the wind. Santiago had to think about what to say to become the wind. It showed that he learned on the way because he thought of many ideas on the spot. “The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles.” (Coelho 145) This quote signifies the insightfulness of Santiago. During his entire journey he was able to learn about one main concept, The Soul of the World. Santiago’s insightfulness led to some of the most critical decisions he could have ever made.
Throughout his journey, Santiago learned about the Soul of the World and that alchemy doesn’t only include learning about potions. By following the alchemist, Santiago discovered more than he would have expected. Because Santiago was adventurous, he was able to start his journey. Being determined helped Santiago to persevere through harsh events in order to achieve his destiny. When Santiago had the insight for new ideas, he became more successful and was able to achieve his destiny and ultimately reach through to the Soul of the World. During his journey Santiago adapted to a harsh environment and ultimately ended up where he started. That is where he found his treasure and Fatima, his true love. Anyone with strong attributes may also be able to find their own personal treasure if they listen to their heart.
TrueWhisper.com
Determination is a key to life and I find that I use it every time I feel down or when I feel like giving up. I am determined to become a professional tennis player and I am also determined to improve. If I do not try to become better every time I play then I could never achieve my true destiny and I would try to find something else to do. Just like in "The Alchemist", the alchemist teaches Santiago to listen to his heart while pursuing his destiny. I try to do the same every time I play tennis. I listen to my heart that tells me that I can make the shot or win the point. My heart keeps me going and doesn't ever let me down or give up. Throughout the years of my tennis playing I have been able to listen to my heart more and more, just like when Santiago started to listen to his heart when he really needed to use it. Whenever I play harder matches I listen to my heart more, so that I am able to succeed in winning the match. Being determined never lets me feel down and never lets me give up. I always strive for the best in myself and I am willing to succeed.
