The+Alchemist+(participation)

The Alchemist ** By Paulo Coelho

​

Author Bio Paulo Coelho was born on August 24, 1947 in Rio de Jineiro, Brazil. When Coelho was a teenager, he announced to his parents that he wanted to be a writer, and they greatly frowned upon the news. At age 17, Coelho's parents enrolled him in a mental institution where he was to stay until he was 20, despite 3 escapes. After being released from the mental institution, Coelho enrolled in law school at the wishes of his parents. Doing this meant giving up his dream of becoming a writer, and Coelho only lasted a year before dropping out. He then spent time traveling throughout South America, North Africa, Europe, and Mexico. Upon returning to Brazil, Coelho worked as a songwriter, composing songs for Raul Seixas. In 1974, the ruling military in Brazil arrested and tortured Coelho for subversive activities, as well as the content of some of the songs he had written. Before finally becoming a writer, Coelho also worked as a theatre director, actor, and journalist.

Plot Synopsis //The Alchemist// tells the story of a shepard boy who finds himself on a journey to discover his personal legend. He is sent on this conquest when a man appears to him, claiming to be the king of Salem. The boy has been having recurring dreams about a treasure that lies within the pyramids, and the king of Salem tells him this is an omen guiding the boy towards his personal legend. The king reminds the boy to pay attention to omens if he's going to fullfill his personal legend, then disapears. So the boy sets out on his pilgrimage to the pyramids, along the way meeting many people that the boy knows play important rolls in his journey, including the alchemist. The alchemist teaches the boy to listen to his heart, and it will never betray him. But the journey is long, and many obsticles lie in the boys path. Will the boy ever fullfill his personal legend, and discover the treasure at the pyramids? Or will he stray from his goal and settle for less? Read //The Alchemist// to find out.

Literary Information The diction in //The Alchemist// is neutral. The vocabulary used is the same as might be heard today in a regular, casual conversation.

Literary Analysis

//The Alchemist// teaches readers that if dreams aren't persued, then happiness will never truly be known. The Author, Paulo Coelho, conveys this theme strongly throughout the book by refraing to name any of the main characters. By doing so, the book is not so much about the actual story Coelho is telling, but rather the message he is trying to relay. The theme is almost directly told to the reader during multiple instances in the book. First, is when the reader meets the crystal merchant (44). "The crystal merchang\t awoke with the day, and felt the same anxiety that he felt every morning" (44). When the merchant was young, he wanted to start a shop so he could become rich and fullfill his dream of going to Mecca (54). The merchant succeded at the first part; he opened a crystal shop that was very successful for a time. But the merchant never managed to brave the pilgramage to Mecca, and as a result he can't be satisfied with his current life. Another time Coelho directly shows the reader the theme is when the boy and the alchemist are discussing their journey (115). The boy comtemplates that he has already found his treasure, because he is rich, and has someone to love (115). The boy decides to stay at the oasis, rather than pursue the treasure at the pyramids (118). The alchemist blantly explains that if he does so, the boy will only spend the rest of his life dreaming of what could have been, knowing that he didn't perservere to find his Personal Legend (119). //The Alchemist// reminds readers to seek their dreams, or otherwise live unsatisfied.

Criticism //The Alchemist// is a quick read, in terms of length. But just because it's short doesn't mean it's a light read. The Alchemist was thought provoking, and introduces a lot of things to ponder. I really enjoyed reading //The Alchemist//, but someone in search of an easy read may not.