The Alchemist
Keyla Navarro
Week One
- Laventer:
A strong easterly wind in the Mediterranean region.
noun
I wanted to go to the river but the strong leventer winds halted me.
- Whet:
A thing that stimulates appetite or desire.
noun
She turned away from the gruesome movie but it only whet her appetite to watch it more.
Fat Questions
What do you think was going through Santiago's head when speaking to the King?
What are benefits of Santiago not going after his Personal Legend?
How do you think Santiago's father felt after hearing his son wanted to leave?
Call to Adventure
Santiago, a shepherd boy, was called to adventure by his dreams. He must leave his normal life to find his Personal Legend which is believed to be him finding treasure in Egypt, as shown in his reoccurring dream.
"People learn, early in their lives, what is their reason for being," said the old man, with a certain bitterness." "Maybe that's why they give up on it so early, too. But that's the way it is." Pg 24. This tells us about the reason for being, their purpose in life, and the old man wants him to never give up too early as he is being called to his adventure.
Week Two
- Omen:
An event regarded as a portent of good or evil.
noun
Seeing the ghost was a bad omen to many.
- Bazaar
A market in a Middle Eastern country.
noun
The man lost his son among the many items in the bazaar.
Connections
I remember in New York City there were hundreds and hundreds of people along the streets. I remember the crowded sidewalks and the many local residents with a stand there selling some sort of product. This reminds me of the marketplace where Santiago was at.
Crossing the Threshold
Santiago finally decides to act on his Personal Legend and sells his sheep. He gets a boat to Tangier in Africa. He leaves his shepherd life behind and makes his way to Egypt.
The King says, "In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow." This is the King explaining what the Personal Legend is and how to find it.
Week Three
- Date Palms
The tall palm tree that bears clusters of dates, native to western Asia and North Africa.
plural noun
He saw the village and there were tall palm tree looking date palms scattering his sight
- Heed
Pay attention to; take notice of.
verb
The chocolate cake caught the boy's attention as it was carried to the table, he walked closer to it while heeding it's every movement.
Inferencing and Foreshadowing
I infer that the alchemist will reveal something very crucial to the plot. I also infer that Santiago may be disappointed by his treasure.
There is not a lot of information on the alchemist yet, so it would be hard to find clues. So far in the story the alchemist has been very wise and truth telling. He speaks as if he knows everything. I believe with that kind of knowlege he can definitely provide some crucial information. I believe Santiago would be let down because after all his sacrefices and all he has given up, such as Fatima, he would expect a treasure that is very big.
Trials
Santiago faces many trials such as having to work as a crystal merchant to gain money. To get to Egypt he has to adopt the desert life. As Santiago is in an oasis he meets one of his biggest trials, Fatima, a love interest of his. He faces temptation that might lead him astray from his Personal Legend. His temptation is him wanting to stay with Fatima instead of go after his Personal Legend because he values her more.
'"Maktub," she said. "If I am really a part of your dream, you'll come back one day."
Here he is doomed with the decision of loving her and questioning if she even is a part of his Personal Legend.
Week Four
- Marvel
Be filled with wonder or astonishment
verb
She saw everyone marvel at her art pieces, she finally made it.
- Treason
The crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government
noun
He was guilty of all the treason he committed but he knew they had to be stopped.
Theme
I believe the theme of The Alchemist is Dreams. The lesson would be follow the path you are given, whether it seems fit or not. Dreams are where the whole story started, having Santiago dream. Dreams set the story in motion. The primary message can be that we need to follow them.
"This is my interpretation: you must go to the Pyramids in Egypt. I have never heard of them, but if it was a child who showed you, they exist. There you will find a treasure that will make you a rich man." Pg 14
This is important because it marks the beginning of his journey, his first big omen which is leading him to a world of wonder.
Santiago must go through a quest for one thing, just like I and many of us often do. Let it be treasure hunts or traveling in search of something new. He follows omens and is led through thick and thin. He is forced to deal with tough choices. I have gone through hundreds of tough choices in my life; I can't imagine how hard it would be for Santiago to leave Fatima.
"Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed that the desert would bring me a wonderful present. Now, my present has arrived, and it's you." Fatima said. Pg 97
This means that Fatima means A LOT to Santiago and vice versa. It is one of the biggest struggles Santiago faces as he travels in pursuit of his personal legend. I know that I personally face daily problems that are hard to deal with. In the long run I realize the "treasure" in the end just like Santiago.
Did he achieve his goal?
I believe that Santiago did reach his goal, in spite of all the hardships he had to go through.
"He was so ashamed that he wanted to cry. He had never even wept in front of his own sheep. But the marketplace was empty, and he was far from home, so he wept." Pg 39
You can see how much Santiago is going through. He had just been robbed and he thought it could only get worse. He learns, but not very quickly, the ways of Africa and learns the new language. He adapted to this new way of life and eventually stumbles upon the treasure he holds most dear over any treasure in the world, Fatima. I believe Fatima means more to him than achieving his personal legend, as you see here:
"Love required people to stay with the people they loved," Santiago would say to her.
He was willing to stop searching for his personal legend to be with Fatima. I have made very crucial sacrifices before in my life similar to his.