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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Analysis Questions – Pages 116-167
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1.As Santiago considers staying at the oasis with Fatima instead of pursuing his quest, the
alchemist explains what will occur if he does not, putting it in the context of a four year
period. Explain what the alchemist says, except do not use Santiago’s situation as the focus;
explain what would happen to any person who abandoned a personal quest because they
didn’t want to leave the person they loved.
2.The alchemist says, “If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one
can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the
explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return” (123). Explain what this
figurative language means. Then give a brief example that illustrates this idea from personal
knowledge or experience.
3.You have often been told to pay attention to your sixth sense; in other words, if something
doesn’t feel right or look right, be wary. When Santiago and the alchemist begin to see
armed men in the desert, Santiago says, “My heart is a traitor. It doesn’t want me to go on”
(129). Read through second paragraph on page 130, then explain what the alchemist says
about Santiago’s fears regarding the language of his heart.
4.Answer Objectively: As Santiago listens to his heart, it says something on page 131 that is
relevant to the self-fulfilling prophecy. What is it?
5.The alchemist says, “Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with
the victor’s being severely tested” (132). The idea of beginner’s luck was first broached by
Melchizedek; explain why he said a search begins with beginner’s luck. Then tell why the
alchemist says that the victor on a quest must be severely tested.
6.Santiago’s heart told him “what his strongest qualities were: his courage in having given
up his sheep and in trying to live out his Personal Legend, and his enthusiasm during the
time he had worked at the crystal shop” (134). We know courage is important in many
situations, but why is enthusiasm important? Explain, providing an example either from
the book or from pesonal experience or knowledge.
7.Answer Objectively: I think Coelho borrowed an idea from Star Wars on page 136. What
Jedi trick did the alchemist use on the horsemen from the Arab encampment? Also, what
was the alchemist’s explanation for the compliance of the horsemen?
8.Santiago is placed in jeopardy again, as he was back at the oasis when he reported his
vision about the hawks to the tribal chieftans. When he and the alchemist were taken to
an Arab military camp and threatened with death, the alchemist buys them some time by
telling the chief that Santiago will turn himself into the wind in three days. If not, Santiago
will die. Santiago says, “But I have no idea how to myself into the wind” (141) and the
alchemist says, “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the
fear of failure” (141). Think back through the novel, and give an example when someone
did not pursue a dream for fear of failure.
9.Answer Objectively: When the wind comes up and Santiago appears to go into a trance
while communicating with the wind and the sun, there is much talk about the power of love.
For me, this section becomes repetitive and is where the novel begins to break down, for
in my opinion the novel does not have a strong ending. Nevertheless, there are some
notable aphorisms expressed about love – list two of them.
10.At this point of the novel the reader begins to see that the purpose and practice of alchemy,
which was explained both denotatively and connotatively, becomes a metaphor for the
creation and sustenance of life on earth as a reference is made to the fundamentalist six
days of creation told in “Genesis” in the Bible. Explain.
11.Answer Objectively: The alchemist tells an interesting story about a Roman centurion
whose words are still celebrated today. Do an Internet search and tell who the rabbi is in the
story, and who the Roman centurion is.
12.Answer Objectively: Talk about a circular structure! Before answering this question, read
through to the end of page 167. Then summarize what happened after Santiago finally saw
the pyramids of Giza.
13.You know that the point of this novel is not about seeking out material possessions, such as
a treasure chest filled with gold. From the larger viewpoint, what is Coelho telling the reader
about Personal Legends? Answer in 75 words or less (because the answer could be a 5000-
word essay).
14.There are many themes and messages in this novel. Articulate (in strong, persuasive
language) two author messages. Each must be a complete sentence, similar to a thesis
statement, and express either a universal truth, an observation about human behavior or
folly (especially if it teaches a lesson about life), or advice for living one’s life, but with
a “because” clause added as explanation.
Print this document. Submit to Turnitin under Alchemist 116-167, but do not print the O.R.