The Alchemist Essay Example For Students

The Alchemist Essay Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janiero in 1947 and before his career as a best-selling author, he was a playwright, theater director, hippie, and popular songwriter for some of Brazils leading pop artists. In 1986 he took a pilgrimage along that Road of Santiago and this would be the center of the plot of the book, The Pilgrimage, which was published in 1987. His second book was named The Alchemist Essay and was published in 1988. This book has gone to number one in 29 countries and Coelho has been regarded as the most widely read contemporary writers. The Alchemist was one of the top ten international best sellers of 1998. We will write a custom essay on The Alchemist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now His work has been published in more than 100 countries and is translated into 42 different languages. He has been awarded a variety of prestigious awards from many different countries. He today lives in South America with his family. The story begins when the shepherd boy stopped for the night in a church with a sycamore tree growing out of the middle. He told of the easy going life of the shepherd and how his parents had wanted him to become a priest. He went to all the schooling, but at the last minute he changed his mind. He wanted to see the world and he felt that the best way to do this was to become a shepherd. He said that the life of a shepherd is easy and carefree and he felt like this was the way he wanted to live. He was anticipating seeing the daughter of a man who would buy the wool from his sheep when he arrived in the town that he would come to in another couple of days. He thought that he might actually settle down and get married to this girl if she would like to. He had been having a recurring dream about him at the pyramids in Egypt. There he would be able to find all of the treasure in the world and to realize what would come to be called his personal legend. When he reached the next town he went to the fortuneteller and asked her if she could help him out with is problem. She was unclear about what to do, but she made him promise to give him a percentage of his treasure if he ever found it. When he left the fortuneteller, he went and sat in the park to read his new book. He was not in the mood for talking with others when the old king approached him and tried to strike up a conversation with him. He told the boy that everyone has a personal legend that he has to fulfill at some time in his life. He tells him that his could be found at the pyramids because of the dreams that he has been having lately. He tells him that he will help him if he will give him ten percent of his herd, because you should never promise anything that you dont have yet. He sold all of his sheep and he was given ummim and thummim, the two rocks that would help him make any decisions that he was unable to make. Then off he went down the road and traveled to the northern tip of Africa. From there he left with all of his money in his pocket and set to a bar where he didnt speak the same language as any of the people there. He was taken for a fool and all of his money was taken in the first few hours. He stayed in the town for a while and he went into a shop that sold crystal. .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 , .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .postImageUrl , .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 , .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:hover , .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:visited , .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:active { border:0!important; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:active , .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1 .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7eb01ae9084a9251cb4b754cf18704e1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Maniac Magee Essay He helped the man to clean all of the crystal and while he was there, two people came in and bought crystal. The owner thought that this was a good omen and that he should try to keep the boy around. Since he didnt have any money he stayed on for eleven months and greatly improved the mans shop. When he finally left he had enough money to do with what he wanted and he set off to fulfill his personal legend. He traveled to the pyramids by way of northern Africa. About half way through his trip he came onto an oasis that was in the middle of a war between two native tribes. The rules of war said that the oasis should be a safe haven for all of the . The alchemist Essay Example For Students The alchemist Essay Thats the principle that governs all things. In alchemy, its called the Soul of the World. When you want something with all your heart, thats when you are closest to the Soul of the World. Its always a positive force (80). Anything Ive ever wanted to happen bad enough, there has always been a way for me to achieve that goal. Or an alternative that could be more beneficial appears. Except, I wouldnt quite call it the Soul of the World. Id call it the will of God. Both Santiago in The alchemist Essay and the priests son in The Waters of Babylon worked with the Soul of the World or the will of God. Whatever one calls it, the Soul of the World or the will of God, it is an unstoppable force. If there is a will there is a way. We will write a custom essay on The alchemist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Santiagos goal was to reach the treasure at the pyramids in Egypt. From the moment he had the dream about the treasure, the world worked with him so he could realize that goal. Here, Santiago discovers some good omens for his journey: In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you. Before the boy could reply, a butterfly appeared between him and the old man. He remembered something his grandfather had once told him: that butterflies were a good omen. Like crickets, and like expectations; like lizards and four-leaf clovers. Even when Santiago had almost given up his journey, after working in the crystal shop for eleven months and nine days, he finally earned enough money to go to Mecca and buy his sheep. But for some reason, he remembered what the old man had told him about seeking his Personal Legend. Because of this, Santiago decided he would go and try again to find his treasure. Later in the story, Santiago met the girl of his dreams on his way to find the treasure. Because the Soul of the World was with him, he not only saved the oasis in which she lived, but she encouraged him to continue on his journey. She promised that when he returned, she would be waiting for him. The Soul of the World was also an important force in the priests sons life in The Waters of Babylon. Like Santiago, the priests son also had dreams about his journey that life had in store for him. When he set out on his journey, he also saw good omens. One was when he was saw a buck. He knew it was good luck, so he followed it. Even though it took him to an area of the land were he wasnt supposed to go, he went anyway because of his trust in the Soul of the World or the will of God. He was lead to a place that would change the fate of his land. Both Santiago and the priests son reached their Personal Legends or lived their dreams. Like them both, if we want to make our own Personal Legends or achieve our dreams, and we want it bad enough the world will work with us to achieve it. If we really want it bad enough, we could feel as though we have plunged to the Soul of the World (102). . The Alchemist Essay Example For Students The Alchemist Essay Biography of Author Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janiero in 1947 and before his career as a best-selling author, he was a playwright, theatre director, hippie, and popular songwriter for some of Brazils leading pop artists. In 1986 he took a pilgrimage along that Road of Santiago and this would be the center of the plot of the book, The Pilgrimage, which was published in 1987. His second book was named The Alchemist Essay and was published in 1988. This book has gone to number one in 29 countries and Coelho has been regarded as the most widely read contemporary writers. The Alchemist was one of the top ten international best sellers of 1998. We will write a custom essay on The Alchemist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now His work has been published in more than 100 countries and is translated into 42 different languages. He has been awarded a variety of prestigious awards from many different countries. He today lives in South America with his family. The Shepherd This was the boy through whose eyes the story was told. He followed his personal legend to the fullest and never let up with his dream. He went all over the land and was able to realize the treasure that he had been so close to in the beginning of the novel. The King He was the one that gave the shepherd the two stones that would supposedly help him whenever he had a rough time deciding about what to do. He made the boy give him ten percent of his flock, because you should never promise something that you dont have. The Englishmen This was the man that the boy met on his trip to the pyramids. He was the one who turned the boy onto the idea of the alchemist and the masterwork. Before this he had never known of the alchemist and the great things that he could do in the world. The Alchemist This is the man that he met in the desert and he helped the shepherd to lead the people from the danger that was imminent from the war. He also allowed the boy to follow his legend and realize his dream. Summary The story begins when the shepherd boy stopped for the night in a church with a sycamore tree growing out of the middle. He told of the easy going life of the shepherd and how his parents had wanted to become a priest. He had attended all of the schooling, but had decided against it at the last minute. He had wanted to see the world and he felt that the best way to do this was to go and become a shepherd. He said that the life of a shepherd is easy and carefree and he felt like that this was the way that he wanted to spend his life. He was anticipating seeing the daughter of a man who would buy the wool from his sheep when he arrived in the town that he would come to in another couple of days. He thought that he might actually settle down and get married to this girl if she would like to. He had been having a recurring dream about him at the pyramids in Egypt. There he would be able to find all of the treasure in the world and to realize what would come to be called his personal legend. So, the next town that he went to he went to a fortuneteller and asked her if she could help him out of his dilemma. She was unclear about what to do, but she made him promise to give him a percentage of his treasure if he ever found it. .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c , .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .postImageUrl , .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c , .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:hover , .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:visited , .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:active { border:0!important; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:active , .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u59ab1d729b509ff9b76dc2854a20a12c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Biography of Socrates Essay When he left the fortuneteller, he went and sat in the park where he would have been content to read his new book. He was not in a good mood for talking with others when the old king approached him and tried to strike up a conversation with him. He told the boy that everyone has a personal legend that he has to fulfill at some time in his life. He tells him that his could be found at the pyramids because of the dreams that he has been . The Alchemist Essay Example For Students The Alchemist Essay Thats the principle that governs all things. In alchemy, its called the Soul of the World. When you want something with all your heart, thats when you are closest to the Soul of the World. Its always a positive force (80). Anything Ive ever wanted to happen bad enough, there has always been a way for me to achieve that goal. Or an alternative that could be more beneficial appears. Except, I wouldnt quite call it the Soul of the World. Id call it the will of God. Both Santiago in ;The Alchemist Essay; and the priests son in The Waters of Babylon; worked with the Soul of the World or the will of God. Whatever one calls it, the Soul of the World or the will of God, it is an unstoppable force. If there is a will there is a way. We will write a custom essay on The Alchemist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now ;#9;Santiagos goal was to reach the treasure at the pyramids in Egypt. From the moment he had the dream about the treasure, the world worked with him so he could realize that goal. Here, Santiago discovers some good omens for his journey: In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you. Before the boy could reply, a butterfly appeared between him and the old man. He remembered something his grandfather had once told him: that butterflies were a good omen. Like crickets, and like expectations; like lizards and four-leaf clovers. #9;Even when Santiago had almost given up his journey, after working in the crystal shop for eleven months and nine days, he finally earned enough money to go to Mecca and buy his sheep. But for some reason, he remembered what the old man had told him about seeking his Personal Legend. Because of this, Santiago decided he would go and try again to find his treasure. #9;Later in the story, Santiago met the girl of his dreams on his way to find the treasure. Because the Soul of the World was with him, he not only saved the oasis in which she lived, but she encouraged him to continue on his journey. She promised that when he returned, she would be waiting for him. #9;The Soul of the World was also an important force in the priests sons life in The Waters of Babylon. Like Santiago, the priests son also had dreams about his journey that life had in store for him. When he set out on his journey, he also saw good omens. One was when he was saw a buck. He knew it was good luck, so he followed it. Even though it took him to an area of the land were he wasnt supposed to go, he went anyway because of his trust in the Soul of the World or the will of God. He was lead to a place that would change the fate of his land. #9;Both Santiago and the priests son reached their Personal Legends or lived their dreams. Like them both, if we want to make our own Personal Legends or achieve our dreams, and we want it bad enough the world will work with us to achieve it. If we really want it bad enough, we could feel as though we have ;plunged to the Soul of the World; (102). . The Alchemist Essay Example For Students The Alchemist Essay What we are. A phrase that causes a number of thoughts to cross my mind. What makes us who we are? From the light of events of Kokoro by Natsume Soseki, I did some research to find an answer to this question. One aspect of all human behaviors is egotism. In Kokoro, events take place primarily around the relationship of Sensei and I. Sensei and I are both attracted to each other for they share some common characteristics. We, in human nature, all do things that will improve our lives, even if that means becoming egotistical. Sensei and I both fall into this black hole of egotism from which they will never return. They are egotistical just like us. Although they both graduated from the prestigious University of Tokyo, they are not satisfied with their sophistication. They attempt desperately to convince others that they are the righteous. We will write a custom essay on The Alchemist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now When they encounter a belief that they do not accept or understand, they become paranoid for they fear that they are wrong. In Senseis case, he becomes very insecure when K contradicts Senseis explanation of his denial about love to an opposite sex. He fears that K is more sophisticated than him. This causes him to believe that he will not be able convince K that his feeling to Ojosan go against his own belief about manhood. I on the other hand struggles, for he cannot fully understand why Sensei acts in the way he does until he receives Senseis testament. Sensei in his college years, was very machismo. He did not believe in love until he met Ojosan. Therefore, Sensei was very sensitive in Ojosans attitude towards anybody. When he found out that K shared the same feelings to Ojosan as Sensei did, he became very worried, for he was not confident that he would make much of a rival to him. He attempted to take K out of the game; the game to get Ojosan first. He utilized the argument that K is wrong to feel love for her because he had denied the idea of love in the past saying, People with no spiritual aspiration is stupid. Sensei felt defeated by Ks explanation to why he contradicted his past idea about Love, for K did not give into Sensei. Sensei then became very paranoid and did everything that he possibly could to win Ojosan from K. As a result, he ended up marrying Ojosan by manipulating her mother Okusan. But as Sensei mentioned himself, I was wrongc I was wrongc, he realized and admited that he was responsible for Ks suicide. He then spent the rest of his life accompanying his wife in order to keep the truth away from her. He felt that her understanding of Sensei should be kept as unsullied as possible even after Senseis death. After he confessed everything to I in the form of a testament, he killed himself. Now satisfied, he did not feel alone anymore. Now there was someone who knew the truth about his life. I did not understand why Sensei acted the way he did, for he did not know the truth about the events that had taken place in Senseis life. He had questioned Sensei a number of times, trying to convince him that he was wrong. He, too, had a similar struggle as Sensei did in his college years; a struggle with the inability to convince others with his rationalization. One of the questions that I had was about Senseis quarrel with his wife. Since I was inexperienced with relationships with women, he couldnt accept the fact that they were not getting along. He questioned why there are quarrels between them even though they seemed to deeply understand and love each other. When I went to Senseis house to accompany his wife for protection from burglary, he discussed the matter with her in order to find an answer to his question. He again faced argument, this time with Senseis wife. He became frustrated, for she believed that Sensei is not fond of her. I, not knowing the events that had taken place in the past, did not give into her argument. .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e , .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .postImageUrl , .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e , .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:hover , .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:visited , .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:active { border:0!important; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:active , .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0ccef70c4d3240d3ef7ae1a435394c9e:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Joan Of Arc By Jules Bastien Le Page Persuasive Essay Sensei and I are both very similar in .