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The book begins with an introduction by the author. While it is not part of the actual story, it is worth looking into because it describes the author’s thoughts and comments on his success and the true meaning of the book and its application to his life. The Prologue introduces the alchemist and tells a new version of the Greek story of Narcissus. The reader still may not have any idea what the book is going to be about, but the reader knows to be ready for deeper meanings to be explored throughout the book. The book is divided into two parts. The first part describes how the boy comes to realize his Personal Legend and ends by indicating significant growth in the boy. He has decided to be the main force in controlling his destiny, and will not let misfortune distract him from his dream. Part Two ends with how he finally reaches the end of his journey, but then realizes where the treasure is. Each part includes stars to break up the text. There are 12 stars in Part One and 29 stars in Part Two, and each indicates a change of pace or subject within the text. The book closes with an Epilogue that tells how the boy recovers the treasure and sums up his journey.
Bildungsroman—This text is largely about the journey of a boy named Santiago, so a major theme is the intellectual, moral, and spiritual development of a young protagonist. His experiences cross many cultures, but his inner development echoes that of most students in secondary schools.
Journey—The boy takes a literal journey across many lands to find the treasure that he seeks. The book raises the timeless question of whether the journey is more important than the destination. Since the journey’s destination is where he began, the author leaves this question up for debate.
Self-Discovery—Santiago must learn to trust himself and learn how to trust others as he travels to fulfill his Legend. This is not unlike the struggles of those who read the book.
Charity—Santiago develops his ability to speak in a universal language, which may be described as charity. He learns how to see people through the eyes of love, just as Christ does.
Because the nature of this book is journey-based, the setting changes throughout the boy’s travels. However, in general, the setting is the path from southern Spain to the pyramids in Egypt. It may be helpful for the students to map out the travels of the boy to get an idea of the vastness of his journey. This could also aid in discovering what cultures he encountered on his way, which may be a focus of deeper study.
There is both explicit and implicit foreshadowing throughout the book. The boy learns to read omens, which is an explicit symbol of foreshadowing in the boy’s life. However, throughout the book, students should also be able to pick up on foreshadowing implicitly during the boy’s journeys. For example, in the market place, a young man warns Santiago of thievery and then ends up being a thief himself.
This book is set up to feel like a story is being told to the reader. While the boy Santiago is the protagonist, and the story is about him, it is told by an omniscient narrator who can give insights into the personal growth of the boy. The narrator makes many statements about life and love, religion and destiny, and therefore gives the impression of the divine.
The tone is insightful and spiritual. The story is unique in the way that it seems both simple and complex at the same time.
A main source of irony is found at the very end of the book when the boy discovers that the actual treasure he had been seeking was in his own home.
The boy in this story does not have a specified age, so any high school student may be able to relate to him. Although the students reading this book may not have any of the same cultural characteristics or even any external characteristics in common, many high school students, along with Santiago, may be facing an internal struggle based on developing their sense of self-identity and place in the world. Here are some questions that can be generated along those lines.
Trust: Who is your friend? Who are people in your life that can and should be trusted to lead you toward your goals, and who are the kind of people you should stay away from? Think back to the thief in the marketplace.
Priorities: What is the most important part of your life? Is it your family, your girlfriend/boyfriend, school, or popularity?
Identity: Who are you? Is how you see yourself different from how others see you?
This book may be deceptively simple because of its syntax. However, there are several challenging words scattered throughout. There is also some region-specific vocabulary that may require some research to become familiar. In addition, there is vocabulary related to specific vocations, like shepherding or crystal making. There is also significant allusion to religious texts.
Perhaps the most useful background knowledge for students would be in world religions. The Alchemist includes many religious symbolism and even refers to some Biblical stories like the Roman centurion, or commandments from the Koran as described by the crystal store owner. The book is profoundly religious and the students would gain a deeper understanding of the development of Santiago if there were in-depth discussions of at least the religions of those represented culturally in the text, including Christianity and Muslim.
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