The Alchemist: Section 4 (129-171)
Signposts:
-Again & Again- (Page 132-136) In this whole section, Santiago talked about his "heart" a lot. He claimed that his heart told him a lot of stories and tales, and how it has started to hurt a lot recently after leaving the oasis. Basically, his heart expresses his feelings, but it helps him through many difficult times as well. Once the heart hid the rifle that the boy stole from his dad, just in case the boy inflicts pain on himself in the future. The Alchemist told the boy to continue to listen to the heart's remarks; it will help with an unanticipated blow--since suffering earlier lessens the pain later on. After listening for a while, Santiago was able to understand the purpose of his heart; it is there to be Santiago's friend and guardian. It knows what he wants, and it comes from the Soul of the World. It even taught him how to speak the Language of the World. To say, the heart, generally, is in charge of guiding their human through their Personal Legend ever since they were kids. By mentioning the heart a lot, it reveals a theme. Listen to your heart, because it projects your true desires. The heart is that voice that continues to push you to go on the right path. If you never pursue your goals, the heart will continue to be miserable, resulting with you being the same. Because the heart is our true emotions, it can't be lied to no matter how hard you try. So, in the end, you must follow what you know will satisfy you.
-Memory Moment- (Page 169) When Santiago went to the sycamore tree in Spain, he began to think about his adventures and all the people he was able to meet. This included the situations he had to go through with the king, thief, Alchemist, glass owner, and Fatima. By looking back at the tough and heartwarming times, he is able to see what he has achieved and learned throughout the whole experience. Sometimes, you have to pick yourself up multiple times before you can set your feet on the summit. The meeting with King Melchizedek informed him on his Personal Legend, and it was the major push that brought him on. By crossing paths with the thief, the boy was able to meet the glass shop owner and make some money. It gave him courage to continue on his Personal Legend. The Alchemist was his guidance, his wind, and his mentor; he pointed him toward the right way and indirectly taught him how to turn into wind. Last but not least, Fatima became his inspiration to achieve his goals and come back. Not only was the treasure chest the prize for the whole thing, these memories have taught Santiago a lot. When he remembers it, they will all be good memories, because he was able to actually accomplish his Personal Legend. Don't set your eyes on one thing. Look around! Everything is a gift in your life, whether it be a good or a bad thing.
Reflection/Reader Response:
Something I learned from my reading is that every bad thing comes with a good thing. Throughout the whole novel, Santiago experienced robbery, violence, fear, sadness, and anger. Yet, all this were repaid. He gained what everyone else is after--happiness. The treasure chest with gems and gold itself was one thing, but he has met so many special people and learned so many things about the world that he is satisfied. From now on, I can put bad situations in a better light. When there are family, friend, and acquaintance problems, I will know that it is a lesson that God is teaching me. It may help our bond grow stronger. or it can even teach me what to do and not do. Overall, they shouldn't even be considered bad events; they are a test that we must go through, At the end of that test, there is something greater than material wealth. We must go through everything with a learning mentality and enjoy every piece of it. Something I would still like to know about Santiago is his future after he got the reward. Did he stay in Spain and live with Fatima? Did he become the Alchemist's pupil? It would be interesting to see how he spent his life after learning about the Language of the World and the Soul of the World. Will he push others like the king of Salem? Then, there's also the treasure that he acquired. Will it be used in a good way? Did he just settle down and live off of it? Finally, now that he has gone after his Personal Legend, there must be something after that. What does he have to do now? What will his new job be?
Discussion Question:
-If you were Santiago, would you be angry if there was no treasure chest at the end? Would you think the experience is enough?
-The theme of goals is explored, yet it is more complicated in real life. Will you follow the themes in the book? Is there something holding you back?
-What is the significance of Santiago's conversation with the desert, the wind, and the Sun?
-Again & Again- (Page 132-136) In this whole section, Santiago talked about his "heart" a lot. He claimed that his heart told him a lot of stories and tales, and how it has started to hurt a lot recently after leaving the oasis. Basically, his heart expresses his feelings, but it helps him through many difficult times as well. Once the heart hid the rifle that the boy stole from his dad, just in case the boy inflicts pain on himself in the future. The Alchemist told the boy to continue to listen to the heart's remarks; it will help with an unanticipated blow--since suffering earlier lessens the pain later on. After listening for a while, Santiago was able to understand the purpose of his heart; it is there to be Santiago's friend and guardian. It knows what he wants, and it comes from the Soul of the World. It even taught him how to speak the Language of the World. To say, the heart, generally, is in charge of guiding their human through their Personal Legend ever since they were kids. By mentioning the heart a lot, it reveals a theme. Listen to your heart, because it projects your true desires. The heart is that voice that continues to push you to go on the right path. If you never pursue your goals, the heart will continue to be miserable, resulting with you being the same. Because the heart is our true emotions, it can't be lied to no matter how hard you try. So, in the end, you must follow what you know will satisfy you.
-Memory Moment- (Page 169) When Santiago went to the sycamore tree in Spain, he began to think about his adventures and all the people he was able to meet. This included the situations he had to go through with the king, thief, Alchemist, glass owner, and Fatima. By looking back at the tough and heartwarming times, he is able to see what he has achieved and learned throughout the whole experience. Sometimes, you have to pick yourself up multiple times before you can set your feet on the summit. The meeting with King Melchizedek informed him on his Personal Legend, and it was the major push that brought him on. By crossing paths with the thief, the boy was able to meet the glass shop owner and make some money. It gave him courage to continue on his Personal Legend. The Alchemist was his guidance, his wind, and his mentor; he pointed him toward the right way and indirectly taught him how to turn into wind. Last but not least, Fatima became his inspiration to achieve his goals and come back. Not only was the treasure chest the prize for the whole thing, these memories have taught Santiago a lot. When he remembers it, they will all be good memories, because he was able to actually accomplish his Personal Legend. Don't set your eyes on one thing. Look around! Everything is a gift in your life, whether it be a good or a bad thing.
Reflection/Reader Response:
Something I learned from my reading is that every bad thing comes with a good thing. Throughout the whole novel, Santiago experienced robbery, violence, fear, sadness, and anger. Yet, all this were repaid. He gained what everyone else is after--happiness. The treasure chest with gems and gold itself was one thing, but he has met so many special people and learned so many things about the world that he is satisfied. From now on, I can put bad situations in a better light. When there are family, friend, and acquaintance problems, I will know that it is a lesson that God is teaching me. It may help our bond grow stronger. or it can even teach me what to do and not do. Overall, they shouldn't even be considered bad events; they are a test that we must go through, At the end of that test, there is something greater than material wealth. We must go through everything with a learning mentality and enjoy every piece of it. Something I would still like to know about Santiago is his future after he got the reward. Did he stay in Spain and live with Fatima? Did he become the Alchemist's pupil? It would be interesting to see how he spent his life after learning about the Language of the World and the Soul of the World. Will he push others like the king of Salem? Then, there's also the treasure that he acquired. Will it be used in a good way? Did he just settle down and live off of it? Finally, now that he has gone after his Personal Legend, there must be something after that. What does he have to do now? What will his new job be?
Discussion Question:
-If you were Santiago, would you be angry if there was no treasure chest at the end? Would you think the experience is enough?
-The theme of goals is explored, yet it is more complicated in real life. Will you follow the themes in the book? Is there something holding you back?
-What is the significance of Santiago's conversation with the desert, the wind, and the Sun?
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