The lessons Santiago learns grow more vague here, as he seems to be entering a more purely spiritual state. This shows he is beginning to understand the Language of the World. One of the most important is that it does not take an exterior force to prevent one from realizing one's dreams. This series of events best articulates Coelho’s view of “maktub” and free will—the future is prewritten by God, but when God chooses to reveal visions of that future to people, it is to the give them the choice of whether or not to act and change that future. What does the old man say why he appears on the scene to someone? (2.27) Ouch. Santiago explains his decision to Fatima, but she is very accepting of his choice, and does not need his explanation. Santiago listens to his heart in order to find his treasure, but his heart is more focused on the quest than the end goal. This shows that the Englishman, like Santiago, knows what his Personal Legend is and has been seeking it with conviction. Leave them out in the sun … if they fade. Read on to find out how to best care for your crystals. After working for a while in the crystal merchant's shop, Santiago requests a change in the shop by telling the merchant there should be a display case at the bottom of the hill to attract customers. The angel takes him far into the future, into a room surrounded by thousands of people speaking. The alchemist describes Santiago as Fatima’s treasure, but Fatima is not Santiago’s treasure. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. The alchemist paints a rather bleak picture of how abandoning one’s Personal Legend can lead to a life of dissatisfaction. Santiago now starts quoting Melchizedek and passing on his words to others (here discussing the “principle of favorability”). Through reading the Englishman’s books, Santiago learns about the Emerald Tablet, one of the key symbols in the novel. He and the Englishman are on similar quests. Santiago feels torn between his two dreams, a return to the past, or seeking a different future. This might be an oversight on Coelho’s part, or just another way of showing how vague and universal Santiago’s faith is—it’s not attached to any particular doctrine. MD, Saint George's University School of Medicine, Great River, NY BS, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY . Despite their very brief acquaintance, Santiago immediately declares himself to Fatima and tells her the truth about his quest, which shows that he trusts her. Santiago does not say he simply wishes to visit the pyramids, as he initially told the crystal merchant, but now specifically says that he is pursuing his Personal Legend. The crystal merchant offers to give Santiago enough money to return to Andalusia. The next day, three armed tribesmen approach. The camel driver learned from his experience that it is pointless to fear loss because there is no real “loss”—everything has been written, so any “loss” is just another step on his journey, one written by the God who made the world. Fatima’s character primarily exists to support and reassure Santiago, and to act as another “lesson” on his quest. Both Santiago and the Englishman know about the Universal Language, but the Englishman has not been paying attention to its use in the desert. The fear of attack connects the people, Santiago sees, because it is communicated from person to person without words. The other metals such as lead, copper, and iron have their own Personal Legends, and if one disrupts these he will never fulfill his own Personal Legend. While smoking a hookah in the crystal shop with Santiago, the crystal merchant explains his reasons for not going on the pilgrimage to Mecca even though the journey is one of the five tenets of his faith. Analysis. The narrative essentially reached its climax with Santiago turning himself into the wind, so these last scenes now feel like a decompression or denouement. The alchemist, however, knows that Santiago is his destined pupil, especially now that he has met both men and Santiago has passed his test regarding the tribal wars. But even after Santiago's changes to the crystal business have brought in enough money to make that possible, the crystal merchant does not seek Mecca. Santiago is quick to point out that the omens may not refer to him, but may have also referred to the Englishman who is desperate to learn from the alchemist. Saying goodbye to a relationship, a living situation, a group of friends, perhaps a job, and most tragically a lifestyle and world you’ve come to know as being what’s familiar and “real” is terrifying. The crystal merchant tells Santiago that business has improved, and soon Santiago will be able to return to his sheep.Why, he wonders, would Santiago ask any more from life? Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. By working at the crystal shop, Santiago learns many lessons. He also twists Melchizedek’s advice in his mind to support his new desires and justify his actions to himself. The tribesmen are overwhelmed by the wind and dust of a desert storm. Santiago, seemingly at the end of his rope, finally admits the truth about his search, and the leader of the refugees responds. The crystal merchant doesn’t like change, and he knows that Santiago’s ideas will change his business and disrupt what has become the norm for him. The alchemist points out that the father of the military man had a role in all this as well, even if he could not have foreseen it, and could not comprehend it until after his death. A more conventional response would be for the leaders to reject Santiago as crazy or a liar, but it’s clear that these chieftains are wiser than that. As Santiago packs up his stuff, Urim and Thummim fall out of his pouch. Santiago, on the other hand, immediately questions the need for so much other reading about the topic. The Englishman has changed even more now that he has begun the Masterwork. The tribesmen react with fear when they witness Santiago’s power—a power that is actually just God’s power working through someone who has achieved a kind of enlightenment. Santiago, capital of Chile. Because he is now connected with God, he is able to do the miraculous things that God could do. The alchemist leaves Santiago with a parting story—another parable meant to teach him a lesson. The owner seems resistant to change, as if he is afraid of success. Fatima’s acceptance of Santiago’s path seems understanding, yet ultimately uninteresting. Santiago has passed another crucial test, and now he is ready to seek out the alchemist as instructed. He will be brought to tears at the right place, a demonstration of pure emotion that is not shameful, but important. The brief feeling of peace foreshadows the final test Santiago will face, as the alchemist predicted. Santiago has already learned more about simplicity and interconnectedness, two themes of the novel, through this brief study of alchemy. The camel driver will be another influential character on Santiago’s journey. Santiago again feels torn between staying and departing, as he did when he considered whether or not to sell his sheep and start his quest. Next time you know it's time to go but you need a little help, throw on this series of 15 goodbye songs and see if it doesn't help ease the awkwardness of leaving. Santiago realizes that he has no choice but to try to actually attempt the impossible task the alchemist has set for him. From this, the sun sees that only the “hand that wrote all” can change Santiago’s physical human state into the wind. Santiago has grown somewhat cocky about danger now that he relies on his heart to protect him, but this is quickly shown to be a mistake when armed men threaten them—a heart cannot protect against immediate physical danger. Make memes with 50+ Fonts, text color, outline color and more! Why was Santiago able to change and improve the crystal merchant shop? Santiago decides to trust the alchemist’s power and wisdom, and the alchemist rewards this trust. Santiago’s frustration with his teacher is entirely understandable. Santiago’s feelings about arriving at the oasis are tempered by his awareness of the long journey beyond this haven. What allows him to understand his loss in this way? -Graham S. The idea of Mecca has become such a key force in the merchant’s life that he is afraid of removing its influence by actually fulfilling his dream. In what form? It lies on the canalized Mapocho River, with views of high Andean peaks to the east. The absence of any instruments in the alchemist’s tent reinforces the idea that in the novel, at least, alchemy is about much more than just processing metals—it is a more powerful kind of magic and spiritual wisdom, and a metaphor for life itself. The question now is how he will respond to the vision of disaster—the oasis’s fate has been “written,” but Santiago’s free will now takes over in deciding whether or not that fate will come to pass. The novel’s emphasis on animals and their innate intelligence reinforces the idea of the Soul of World. Crystal Santiago, MD. Now fear of failure holds Santiago back, but he overcomes his fear and decides to focus instead on the positives—the progress he has made towards his goal. Like most fables, The Alchemist has a … This is similar to the idea of the dangers of Urim and Thummim—letting foreign or supernatural knowledge affect one’s present decisions. What is taught to the merchant from santiago and what is taught from santiago to the crystal merchant. Our, "Sooo much more helpful than SparkNotes. The Englishman and Santiago maintain their friendship despite their different understandings of ways of learning. The merchant was content in feeling like he had no control over his life, but when he is given clear proof that he. The Englishman does not have faith in any god, yet he believes in omens (and seemingly knows the Bible better than the supposedly Christian Santiago). Instead of offering his own powers, however, he sets up a situation in which Santiago must achieve a magical feat under pressure. It dismisses that which it cannot do. Simplicity is a value that is not popular among many, but it matters to the alchemist and to Santiago. It will continue to be an important part of the book, especially as it is connected to the principles of alchemy. He wonders if the crystal merchant’s situation is potentially more desirable than trying to follow your Personal Legend and failing. Santiago is cautious about the future, but also confident about omens from God/the Soul of the World. The angel explains that the poems that his poet son wrote were well loved during his day, but eventually they were forgotten. The alchemist thus suggests that connecting with the Soul of the World can teach anyone anything he would need to know about alchemy. Two more months pass and the display brings many people into the crystal shop. This fear focuses not on Santiago’s physical preservation, but on the possible failures he could face in his quest to fulfill his Personal Legend. Fatima has spent her life waiting for her father to return, and now she will spend her time waiting for Santiago to return. It’s assumed that Santiago trusts his vision, as he chose to tell the chieftains about it, but the elder chieftain ensures that Santiago is entirely sure, because his survival depends on it. More wisdom from the camel driver helps calm Santiago’s concern about the threat of the war, and teaches him to do each thing in its own time. The elder chieftain’s pronouncement is harsh, but it places all responsibility for Santiago’s vision on his own shoulders. The Englishman is changed even by his brief encounter with the alchemist. They plan to stay at the. Suddenly Santiago realizes that he can always go back to being a shepherd, but he has to keep chasing after his dream and learning new things. The fact that Santiago leaves without saying goodbye suggests a mutual respect and shared understanding more than a lack of concern or emotion. In 2007, she founded MoneySavingMom.com, a site that has since grown to become one of the most popular blogs on the web, currently averaging close to 1.2 million readers per month. The camel driver’s path to his current profession seems to have been part choice and part fate, it seems. The camel driver only arrived at his present philosophy by first directly confronting his obsession with the future. The alchemist teaches that all things have an ideal state and role to play according to their creation. Unlike Santiago, however, the refugee is dismissive of dreams, and doesn’t even consider pursuing his own treasure. The end of Santiago’s journey is near, but he feels he hasn’t learned any real alchemy from his teacher yet. The leader of the chieftains is distinguished from the others by his advanced age and his central positioning, not by him speaking first or taking charge. Customers climb the hill and are tired when they reach the top. He realizes he hasn't thought about the old king in a year, and leaves without saying goodbye because he doesn't want to cry. It now becomes more clear that everything and everyone Santiago encounters is portrayed as some kind of lesson or archetype put there for the sake of his education—there are few characters in the book that feel complex and alive, apart from their relation to Santiago and the lessons he is learning. How does the crystal merchant’s explanation for not taking the pilgrimage to Mecca (p.55) highlight the difference between Santiago and the merchant? The source of evolution is love, and therefore a vision of the world in which everything joins the Soul of the World requires a lot of love. Religion is often a divisive force in the world, but here Coelho suggests that it can also serve to bring people together—particularly in a harsh environment like the desert. In the world of the novel, all men of the desert are familiar with omens, and so they naturally believe Santiago. The word “maktub” appears throughout the novel, and acknowledges the theme of omens and divine intervention. Santiago feels that there are different ways of learning, and respects the Englishman’s approach. The alchemist and Santiago travel together, and their style of traveling seems to reflect their spiritual, introspective natures—they travel in silence and live simply. This … List all the different ways, Santiago has an effect on the merchant. When the wind stops, everyone looks at the place on the cliff where. As he takes his leave, he asks the shopkeeper for his blessing; the shopkeeper gives it, but tells Santiago that he knows he will not return to Spain.