English Alchemist Quiz

"Dreams are the language of God," says the gypsy woman. What might she mean by this?

She meant that when he (god) speaks in their language, she can interpret it.

King Melchizedek tells the boy that when we are children, "everything is clear and everything is possible," but as time passes a mysterious force convinces us to abandon our dreams. Do you think this is true? What are the "mysterious forces" that threaten to hold us back as we grow older? Using the terms you learned from the Hero's Journey model, what is another way to describe these mysterious forces?

Yes, I think this is true. Some mysterious forces could be your external or internal fears that could threaten us or hold us back. Another way to describe these mysterious forces would be the Abyss or Challenges and Ordeals from the Hero's Journey.

Specific words themselves also carry deep meaning. The crystal merchant introduces Santiago to the Arabic word maktub; this word loosely translates into "it is written," and is mentioned at important moments in the story. The word carries the connotation that in every situation or action there is a hand of fate involved. Why do you think the Crystal Merchant speaks this word when he and Santiago part ways?

I think the crystal merchant say maktub when he splits ways with santiago because its a way of saying follow your personal legend and do what is best for you in the future and continue nad to the pyramids and not go to mecca. By saying maktub, the merchant is giving Santiago his blessings.

What is the significance of Santiago becoming a shepherd rather than a priest, as his parents had hoped? Why did he make the choice to leave the seminary at the age of sixteen after learning to read and write? What does being a shepherd allow him to do?

Santiago becomes a shepherd so he could travel, meet new people, and it allows him to know his personal legend is. He also wanted to be a shepherd so he could walk the Andalusia terrain for two years and by then he would know all the cities of the region. He also wanted to be a shepherd so he could experience their lifestyle by seeing the castles and towns they lived in.He left the seminary because he couldn't find god in the seminary. Santiago was like Siddhartha, he wanted to know more about the outside world and we wanted to escape just like Siddhartha left the castle to understand the outside world.

Why did Santiago have to go through the dangers of tribal wars on the outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the pyramids?

Santiago had to go through the dangers of tribal wars on the outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the pyramids so that he could test himself and learn lessons, he also had to allow god into his life so that he could rely on him.

What elements of the hero's journey do you think you recognize so far in this story?

The Abyss and Challenges and Ordeals as well as The Call.

The Englishman, whom Santiago meets when he joins the caravan to the Egyptian pyramids, is—like Santiago—joining the caravan as part of a quest. What is the Englishman searching for?

his Alchemist and personal legend.

When Santiago and The Alchemist are captured by one of the warring tribes, Santiago must turn himself into the wind to save his life. He asks the desert, the wind, and the sun to help him. As he talks to the sun, Santiago explains why alchemy exists and what alchemists do. What does Santiago say to the sun about these things?

He says that alchemy exists so that everyone will search for their treasure, to find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Santiago tells the sun the lead will play it role until the world is no longer in need for lead and lead will turn into gold.

How has the character of the Crystal Merchant been tricked over time into believing "the world's greatest lie," as Melchizedek called it?

He was tricked because the way he lives has been the same for thirty years and he didn't want to do anything other than being a crystal merchant because that's all he knew how to do and he had been doing it for so long that it was normal to him.

When Santiago meets The Alchemist, he wants to give up his journey and remain at the oasis. He believes he has already found his treasure. What does this treasure include, according to Santiago?

According to Santiago the treasure includes Fatima.

Disturbed by the omen, Santiago decides to go tell the chiefs of the desert tribes about it. In what ways is Santiago (our budding hero) being tested as a result of his decision to trust his intuition and tell the tribal chieftains what he has seen?

As a result, Santiago is being tested for his decision of trusting his gut and instinct to tell the tribal chieftains what he saw because if he was right than every man who was killed who get a piece of gold, and if he was wrong it would cost him his own life.

What is the name of the shepherd boy? How long has he been a shepherd? What is the name of the region in Spain where he grazes his flock?

The name of the shepherd is Santiago. He has been a shepherd for 2 years. Santiago grazes his flock in Andalusia.

According to The Alchemist, every search starts with Beginner's Luck. How does every Search end? How is this belief consistent with the Phases and Steps of the Hero's Journey model? What does this foreshadow for Santiago?

Every search ends with the victors being severely teased. This relates to the Hero's Journey because if at some point the person could be faced with obstacles, this foreshadows that Santiago's abilities will be tested.

Once Santiago believes he understands his heart, what agreements does he ask of it, and what does he promise it in return?

He ask that the heart never stop speaking to him and when wandered far from his dreams, his heart press him and sound the alarm. In return, the boy swore that everytime he heard the alarm he would heed its message.

Santiago realizes that he has a choice to make: he has to choose between thinking of himself as a poor victim of a thief and as an adventurer in quest of this treasure? What choice does he make, and how does this relate to the idea of Tests and Ordeals in the hero model?

He chooses to think about himself as an adventurer or explorer in quest of this treasure, instead. This relates to the Tests or Ordeals because he notices and remembers ho far he has come in this journey and it's too late to just stop or give up.

Santiago believes he has seen an omen in the desert. What has he seen, and what does he think it signifies?

He finds a snake and he thinks it symbolizes a spell, that if he leaves the pursuit the love wasn't real.

At the very end of the journey, why does The Alchemist leave Santiago alone to complete it?

He leaves Santiago because he is going to have to figure everything out on his own and cross the Abyss by himself. Santiago has to be able to fight those things by himself and survive without help.

The Crystal Merchant tells Santiago that even if the boy worked for a year in the shop his earnings wouldn't pay for his passage across the Sahara Desert to Egypt. What does Santiago say in response to this news? How does his response confirm the omen that was revealed when he asked the stones if he would find his treasure?

He responds with accepting the job offer in order for him to buy back his flock sheep and his response shows the omens were true that he has to work to get his treasure, this shows that he will find his treasure because the decisions he makes puts him in control of his fate which is how you find your treasure.

As the caravan crosses the Sahara, Santiago and the Englishman each make an effort to gain new insights by practicing the other's method of learning: Santiago reads the Englishman's books about alchemy, and the Englishman spends several days observing the caravan and the desert. When the Englishman asks Santiago what the boy learned about alchemy from reading his books, Santiago sums up his reading in a few short sentences (page 83 Gold Cover; pages 85-86 Red Cover). What does he say he learned?

He said "I learned that the whole world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things. I learned that many alchemists realized their Personal Legend, and wound up discovering the Soul of the World, the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life".

After he has been robbed of all his money in Tangier, Santiago at first begins to despair and regret that he ever set out on his journey. As he gazes at the stones, however, he realizes what his mistake was in dealing with the thief who robbed him. What was his mistake, and how will need to change in order to find his treasure?

His mistake was giving his money to a random friend, when he lives in a town full of thieves. In order to change and find his treasure he will need to be more aware and in the present of what is happening and going on at that time.

Santiago says he believes all the things he learned about alchemy are so simple they could be written on the surface of an emerald. This description, of course, depicts the Emerald Tablet the Englishman told Santiago about. The Englishman is exasperated because he believes Santiago is simple-minded and has failed to grasp the complexity of alchemy. Yet, the gypsy Santiago met in Tarifa told him, "It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them." Is the Englishman right, or is Santiago?

I believe that they are both right. Santiago is right by saying they simple things are most important and they are overlooked, but the Englishman is also correct because Santiago is simple-minded because he doesn't always try and understand where the Englishman is coming

What does Melchizedek give Santiago to help him on this journey, and how does he tell the boy to use the gift? In the hero's journey model, what is the term we use to describe this sort of object given by a mentor to an initiate? Hint: this gift has symbolic meaning. Can you guess what the gift symbolizes?

Melchizedek gives Santiago two stones called Urim and Thummim that will help him to read the omens and make decisions along the way. A talisman is the gift given by a mentor in the Hero's Journeys. Talisman has symbolic meaning and it can have emotional significance.

The old man, whose name is Melchizedek, tells the boy he is from Salem. (Note that there is a character in the Bible named Melchizedek who was king of Jerusalem, also called Salem.) He tells Santiago that when people are young, they all know their reasons for being, but they give up too soon. He has sensed that Santiago is on the verge of trying to realize his Personal Legend. According to the old king, what is a Personal Legend?

Melchizedek says a personal legend is what you have always wanted to accomplish.

Why do you think Melchizedek tells Santiago about the life of the baker? What point is he trying to get across to Santiago?

Melchizedek tells Santiago about his life as a baker because Santiago was trying to realize his Personal Legend and he was about to give it all up by becoming a shepard when he could be a priest or a baker.The point he was trying to get across was shepard are looked badly upon compared to bakers. The baker dosen't want to accomplish his dream of going to Mecca but he dosen't want to go because he has puts off what he wants to do and he has come so used to his noemal life that he dosen't want to change. The point he is trying to get across is not to hestitate else you won't accomplish your goal.

Melchizedek tells Santiago the fable of the oil and the spoon. Those who understand the moral of the fable hold the key to happiness. Santiago believes he understands the moral of the story. What does he think the lesson of the story is?

Santiago believes that the lesson is to explore all parts of the world but don't forget about stuff while exploring and traveling, he thought this related to his flock of sheep and how he wants to travel, but while doing that he also needs to remember about his flock. The lesson is if achieve what you want to achieve you have to stay in the present.The fable in the spoon is having a dram to work but don't get lost.

After he meets Melchizedek, Santiago considers traveling to Africa to start his journey. He even goes so far as to approach a ticket window to book passage on a ship to Africa (across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier in Morocco). In the hero's journey model, Santiago is, perhaps, standing right on the Threshold of Adventure: he has to decide whether to respond to The Call, or not. At this point, we see his uncertainty when he momentarily changes his mind and decides to stay and continue being a shepherd. What makes Santiago hesitate?

Santiago hesitated because if he sold one of his sheep he'd have enough to get to the other shore of the straight, that idea frightened him and he remembered his flock and decided he should go back to being a shepherd.

As the caravan travels, the Englishman spends his days poring over his books to learn the secrets of alchemy; Santiago, meanwhile, throws his book away, instead opting to observe the desert and listen to the wind. The Englishman represents the type of character who has book knowledge, but not practical knowledge. He tries to learn alchemy through the intellect. The Englishman's character is a foil, or contrasting character, to Santiago's character: Santiago has rejected the life of the mind for a life of interaction and a journey of purpose. Action, personal experience, and observation, Santiago believes, will bring him closer to understanding the language without words...the universal language. Based on the conversation between Santiago and the Englishman (page 77-79 Gold Cover; pages 80-82 Red Cover), does it appear that the two have anything to learn from each other?

Santiago teaches the Englishman that he needs to be more present and observe the world, and the englishman teaches Santiago to read more about the world. The relates to the spoon with oil because they boy is so focused on keeping the oil on the spoon that he doesn't notice the world around him.

In the character of the Crystal Merchant, the author Paulo Coelho creates a character foil for Santiago. A foil is a character whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character in order to highlight the unique personality of that character (usually the main character, or protagonist). Foils are useful to writers in lots of ways. For example, they can be used to establish the personality traits of a character, or they can be used as a way to force a character to a deeper level of self understanding that precedes character change or character development. Compare and contrast Santiago with the Crystal Merchant by examining how each one approaches the possibility of expanding the shop's business, first by building a display case and second by selling tea to customers. How is Santiago different from the shop's owner?

Santiago thinks of different ways that will lead more business to the crystal shop and improve their sales. However the shop owner has got used to the fact that he hasn't had much business and he doesn't want to change that because he has gotten used to it the way it's been. The difference is Santiago wants to become better and reach his goals while the shop owner wants to keep things the same and not change or improve the business of his shop. Santiago made improvements by polishing the crystal, creating a crystal display case, and serve tea. Santiago wants to take risks and change, but the crystal merchant wants everything to stay the same.

As Santiago considers why he needs to keep his jacket, even though he spends most of the day carrying it around in the heat, a central theme of his hero's journey is introduced. The jacket, therefore, is a symbol, or something that is itself but also represents something else or something deeper, in this case, a theme. What is that theme or lesson, and how does the jacket embody, or symbolize that theme?

Santiago wants to keep his jacket because even though the days in south spain are super hot, the temperature changes at night and it gets cold outside. The jacket symbolizes that he is ready for change and it relates to the central theme of The Hero's Journey because the journey revolves around change. The jacket embodies or symbolizes the theme of change because it shows that Santiago is ready for change.

The King tells the boy that when you really desire something "all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." And he explains the principle of "favorability," or beginner's luck. How has Santiago benefited from beginner's luck so far? What can we anticipate will happen at some point in his journey based on his favorable luck so far?

Santiago was benefited by beginners luck when his friend bought all the sheep for him. We can anticipate that Santiago will follow his path and find his treasure.

One of the first major diversions from Santiago's journey is the theft of his money in Tangiers. How is Santiago's money stolen? Using the terminology of the hero's journey model, we could describe this experience as a Test/Ordeal. How does the fable of the oil and the spoon relate to this Test?

Santiago's money was stolen when he met a friend who held onto his money in a bar and then he got distracted by looking at a sword, then his friend and money were nowhere to be seen. This is test that relates to the oil and spoon because Santiago took his eyes off the man with his money just like the boy took his eyes off the spoon with oil on it so it spilled. He was thinking when he gets older he is going to buy the sword when he get older, he had his first challenged an dhe bombed it.

The novel begins with the boy deciding to spend the night with his flock in an abandoned church. The church has no roof and an enormous sycamore tree has grown up where the sacristy once stood. Here he has a recurring dream for the second time. He travels to Tarifa in the hope that a gypsy woman will be able to interpret his dream and tell him what it means. Describe the dream that the boy tells the woman about and explain what she tells him it means.

The boy says to the gypsy woman "I have had the same dream twice. I dreamed that I was in a field with my sheep, when a child appeared and started playing with animals. I don't like people to do that, because the sheep are afraid of strangers.......". The boy continued to say how good children are with animals and then he told the woman "Suddenly, the child took me by both hands and transported me to the Egyptian pyramids". Then the boy told the woman that in his dream he was told by the child that if he goes to the pyramids he will find a hidden treasure. Then the woman interpreted his dream and said that he must go to the pyramids in Egypt that must exist. She told him we would find a hidden treasure that would make him rich man.

Recall that each encounter Santiago has presents him with the opportunity for personal growth provided that he can understand what it is he should learn from the interaction. What lesson is there for Santiago to learn from the fact that Fatima tells him not to stay at the oasis but to go to the pyramids after he has pledged his love for her?

The lesson is that Santiago can't stay and wait for someone else, he has to fulfill his dreams and not let anything get in the way.

The old king tells Santiago that he often appears in people's lives just at the moment they are about to give up on their destiny. He appears in many different guises. What are some of the guises he takes?

The old king says he can appear a solution, a good a idea or an object. AN example is when they is a minor who is about to give up on his dream and then the old king appears as a stone. The old man shows up as someone is about to give up on their personal legend in order to help them.

Though The Alchemist obviously understands the Language of the World and has special tools and powers at his disposal, he does not actually offer to help Santiago out of a challenging and dangerous situation. On the contrary, he places Santiago in the center of an apparently dangerous situation when he tells the chief and his men that Santiago is an alchemist who can turn himself into the wind. If he is supposed to be a mentor to Santiago, why does he do this?

The Alchemist does the because he says that "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve; the fear of failure"

The Alchemist says that for the boy to find his treasure he must listen to his heart. Why does The Alchemist feel that the heart is more important, or more trustworthy, than the mind? How and why is the heart able to understand things the mind can't grasp?

The Alchemist feels like the heart is more trustworthy or important because the treasure is wherever the heart is. The heart can interpret or understand things that the mind can't grasp because it knows everything since it came from the Soul of the World and one day will return there.

Santiago leaves the chieftain and encounters a powerful, intimidating stranger on horseback, who terrifies him at swordpoint. The stranger turns out to be The Alchemist, who demands to know who is reading the omens in the hawk's flight. What sort of test is The Alchemist subjecting Santiago to? After the test is over, what reason does The Alchemist give for testing Santiago in this way?

The Alchemist is testing his courage which he says is an essential ingredient to learning the Language of the World.

The Alchemist tells Santiago "you don't have to understand the desert: all you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation." With this in mind, why do you think The Alchemist chose to befriend Santiago, though he knew that the Englishman was the one looking for him?

The Alchemist mentions to Santiago that Fatima is the women of the desert and that she knows that a man must leave in order to return. He says that Fatima has already found her treasure and she wants Santiago to find his. "You must understand a man never keeps his love from pursuing his destiny. If he abandons that persuit its because the wasn't true......the love that speaks the language of the world.

When Santiago passes his test in the desert, The Alchemist is convinced that Santiago is a student worthy of this teaching. The Alchemist then offers to guide Santiago across the desert in search of his treasure. At first, Santiago refuses to leave the oasis because he does not want to part from Fatima. What does The Alchemist tell Santiago to try to convince him to go on? What sort of test does this decision represent for Santiago?

The Alchemist tells Santiago that his treasure will remain buried and that he will regret not looking for it. He mentions that Santiago may not be able to read omens anymore or notice the clues that unfold.

The chief allows The Alchemist and Santiago to go free and they ride on toward the pyramids. The next day, just before they part ways, Santiago thanks The Alchemist for teaching him the Language of the World. How does The Alchemist answer him when Santiago offers his thanks? Why is this answer significant?

The alchemist answers him by saying " I only invoked what you already knew". This is significant because it shows that the Santiago had already had the knowledge, the alchemist was just bringing it back.

Santiago spends the next week trying to "listen to his heart" as The Alchemist has instructed him to do. There are several pages of dialogue between Santiago and his heart in this section. What do you think the writer wants the reader to understand about this dialogue? Is Santiago literally having a conversation with his heart, or is something else going on here?

The author wanted the reader to understand that finding what the heart really wants can be hard. Santiago isn't having a conversation with his heat, he is proving that find what makes him happy is a struggle.

Although Santiago asks the desert, the wind, and the sun to help him, none know how to turn a man into the wind. Where does the boy find the answer? What is the larger significance of this answer?

The boy find how to turn a man into wing through himself and his power. The significance of this is becoming part of the Soul of the World, you connect to go and you have the power to then create a miracle like turning a man into the wind.

According to the camel driver, why would God allow Santiago to see this vision of the future?

The camel driver believes that god allowed santiago to see the future so it could be rewritten.

Nearly every encounter Santiago has contains a lesson for him, if the boy is observant enough to perceive it. Even the thief who stole his money in Tangier had a lesson for Santiago: Read the conversation between Santiago and his new friend, the camel driver. What life lesson is the camel driver trying to impart to the boy? As you read about Santiago's response to the appearance of the oasis on the horizon, do you see evidence that Santiago has internalized the bit of wisdom offered by the camel driver?

The camel driver is trying to give the life lesson to Santiago that he needs to live in the present and be in the moment rather that worrying about the past or the future. I don't see evidence that Santiago has internalized the bit of wisdom offered by the camel driver because he never thought about needing rest, he was only focused on the destination.

Language is an important part of the theme of this fable, and although the story is told in rather simple terms, the ideas that it expresses are philosophical and deep. Santiago is an educated young man, capable of understanding many languages because of his seminary training. Yet, he is clearly interested in learning about the world and about his reason for being in a way that goes beyond mere speaking and writing. He chooses to travel, first as a shepherd and then as an adventurer seeking his destiny, because he wants to learn how to communicate in the Language of the World. There are many references throughout the text to this language, and clearly it is a language that goes beyond words. He often reflects on the "language without words," which describes the way that people communicate to each other when they do not speak each other's language. The language without words is also the language he speaks with his sheep. What are some of the literal and figurative languages that Santiago realizes he has learned by the time he completes his year of work for the crystal merchant?

The crystal merchant taught him how to speak Arabic and he has learned figuratively how to speak universal language just like he had done with his herd of sheep. Universal language is the language of enthusiasm. He learns the language of sheep and the language of enthusiasm.

In Tarifa, Santiago meets an old man while sitting on a bench in the marketplace. At first, the old man annoys him. Then the old man reveals that he knows the names of everyone in Santiago's life, which catches Santiago's attention. The old man says he is a king, and his mysterious knowledge supports his claim. The old man tells Santiago the book he is reading, like almost all other books, contains the world's greatest lie. What is this lie?

The lie is that in a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our live become controlled by fate. Santiago believes the old man is king when the old man reveals that knows everything and his is wearing a gold plate under his shirt.

What is the meaning of the fact that Santiago learns this from a man who also had a dream but refused to follow it?

The meaning of the fact that Santiago learns this from a man who also had a dream but refused to follow it because he already had everything he wanted. The theif is never going to find his own treasure because he is is interferring

How do you interpret the novel's ending? Why is it significant that Santiago's treasure is buried not at the Pyramids but back in Spain at the abandoned church where his journey began?

The ending would be Santiago would need to go on his journey in order to realize he had the treasure all along in Spain. It is significant that the treasure is buried not at the Pyramids but back in Spain at the abandoned church where his journey began because the reason to living happier and more completed life doesn't come from far away it often it right in front of us, so we have to travel far sometimes to understand that. The purpose of travels was to give knowledge and experience which is his gift not the money.

Why do you think The Alchemist gives the Englishman the response he does when the Englishman tells him what he is seeking? What point do you think the author is trying to make by showing how the Englishman feels once he spends some time following the advice given to him by The Alchemist?

The englishman asked the Alchemist to teach him alchemy and then the the alchemist asked if has ever tried to learn it and the englishman said no. The alchemist then suggested that he tries it on his own because something you need to learn on your own rather then someone teaching it to you.

The boy spends a lot of time reflecting on his flock; he notices that the sheep care only for food and water, and are content to make no decisions of their own, trusting him to care for them. What might the habits of these sheep symbolize? Is there any similarity between their life and the lives of the boy's parents? How is the boy different from others?

The habits of the sheep symbolize dependent, meaning that they are always relying on the boy to take care of them. The similarity between the sheep's life and the boys parents life is they both don't work for what they have, its normally given by their owner of parent. The boy is different from other because he wants to be a shepard instead of following the path of his ancestors by being a priest. He folllowed his personal legends of becoming a shepard even though his parents and the priest told him otherwise. The parents are different from Santiago parents and sheep are differnt because they follow a path that is set for the without taking any risk to discover his own path, whearas Santiago takes risk and isn't a follower.

Who finally shows Santiago how to find The Alchemist? Why is it significant that it is this person, and not someone else, who points the way to The Alchemist, who is the key to Santiago's search?

The horseman points Santiago in a South direction in order to find the Alchemist. It is significant that the horseman guides the way because he doesn't trust his instincts when he first meets a person.

The Alchemist persuades Santiago to sell his camel and buy a horse. The next night he takes Santiago into the desert and gives him his second test. What is the task The Alchemist gives Santiago, and what skill is being tested in this task?

The task that is given to Santiago by the Alchemist, is to find life inside of a desert. This task is testing the strength of life to attract life and its testing the ability of life.

As he stands gazing across the Strait toward Africa, Santiago feels a strong wind, called the "levanter" on his face. What does he realize that the wind symbolizes, and how does this realization help him decide to cross the Threshold and start on his journey? How do we know that Melchizedek's advice helps him make this decision?

The wind symbolizes freedom. The wind can travel anywhere it wants.Santiago crosses the threshold when the levantar (wind) travels to Spain from Levant, Santiago then realized how far the wind had to travel, and the only thing holding him back from traveling was himself. Then he remembered the story about the baker and realized that he wanted to do something but waited too long and eventually got to old to do it, so Santiago decided that it was time to cross the threshold and travel. We know that Melchizedek helps him make a decision because he tells Santiago "In order to find your treasure, you have to follow the good omens". This means that he need to follow his path. He goes goes to maroca and he lands in the city of tanger. As he looks across the water he remembering the lesson from the baker.

According to the Englishman, how were the alchemists he read about changed by the years they spent "in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals" (page 81 Gold Cover; pages 83-84 Red Cover)?

They gave up vanities of the world, they discovered the purification of themselves through the purification of metals, and they gave up important things in order to live a simpler life.

Author Paulo Coelho says that the biggest obstacle most people face in pursuing their Personal Legend is, "the fear of realizing the dream for which we fought all our lives." How does this explain the Crystal Merchant's failure to travel to Mecca?

This demonstrates Crystals Merchant failure to travel to Mecca because if he travels to Mecca, he thinks he will be and disappointment or a failure because he will ruin his lifelong dream.

When they are just two day from the pyramids, Santiago asks The Alchemist to teach him about alchemy. The Alchemist says that Santiago already knows about it. Alchemy is about searching for and finding the treasure that is uniquely his. Santiago is frustrated, because what he meant by the question was that he wanted to know the secret of successfully turning metal into gold. How does the process of alchemy compare to finding a Personal Legend?

This relates to finding your personal legend because alchemy id discovering the treasure that been made for you and finding your personal legend is found by taking a risk, in order to find the personal legend that is made for you. Alchemey is a physical process. Acheving you personal legend is a proccess of purification and evolution. Sanuago had to lose he fear in order to gain courgae. Stress is nessary in orde to improve yourself.

Earlier in the story, The Alchemist told Santiago "when you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed." At the end of the story, how did this simple lesson save Santiago's life? How did it lead him back to the treasure he was looking for?

This simple lesson saved Santiago's life by turning himself into wind because he was capable the world entire time. It leads him back to the treasure by being within.

Coelho says another on of the most common obstacles to realizing our Personal Legend is, "the fear of the defeats we will meet on the path." When his money was stolen in Tangier, Santiago suffered a defeat that forced him into taking a menial job with the crystal merchant. There, while he labored for a whole year to earn money to return to his life as a shepherd in Andalusia, Santiago learned many lessons on everything from the art of business to the art of patience. Coelho says that, while defeats are an unavoidable result of the mistakes we make in pursuing our Personal Legends, "The secret of life is to fall seven times and get up eight times." By the end of today's reading, how do we know that Santiago has learned this lesson of persistence, which is one of the most crucial to the pursuit of his Personal Legend?

We now that Santiago has learned this lesson of persistence because of losing his money but then he persevered and reached his goal. The most crucial pursuit of his personal legend is when he makes enough money working at the crystal shop that he goes off a follow his path by traveling to the Egyptian pyramids. Santiago learned not to give up and keep pushing through the hardest times.

What happens when Santiago asks the stones to tell him if he will find his treasure? Santiago believes this is an omen. What might it mean?

When he asks the stones, they fall through a hole in the bag. When he went to pick up the stones they said when you see omens follow them. This means that there are somethings you shouldn't ask so you don't ignore or escape someone's Personal Legend. The stones are telling him that its up to him to find his treasure.

How does Santiago feel when he meets Fatima? How does he know this is love?

When he sees Fatima he thinks she is very pretty and also believes his in love with her, he knows this is love because he stays at the oasis and chooses her over the treasure.