Characters Help Santiago In Many Different Ways example essay topic
In the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, Santiago is on a quest to discover his Personal Legend and also to find a treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids. While getting closer to his destination, he learns many new things. He learns to read and understand the omens and also to create wind. Many characters help him on his way to pursuing his Personal Legend and treasure. The characters: the King of Salem, Fatima, and the Alchemist are the people who help Santiago on his quest. The King of Salem is one of the characters who help Santiago on his journey.
After Santiago leaves the old woman Santiago", [is] disappointed; he [decides] that he [is] never again going to believe in dreams". (Coelho 17) This is important because Santiago doesn't want to believe in his dreams. This shows that he wants to give up and not continue to find his treasure and his Personal Legend. This all changes when he meets the King of Salem. "The old man related that, the week before, he had been forced to appear before a miner, and had taken the form of a stone". (Coelho 25) This quote is relevant because the story that the King of Salem tells Santiago helps him to get over the idea of giving up.
The King of Salem also has another impact on Santiago's journey. The King of Salem tells him", 'It's in Egypt, near the Pyramids. ' " (Coelho 31) This shows that the King helped Santiago by telling him where the treasure is. Now that Santiago knows where the treasure is, he knows where to go to make it to his destination faster and easier. Before Santiago finally leaves the King of Salem he says", 'Take these,' said the old man, holding out a white stone that had been embedded at the centre of the breastplate. 'They are called Uri and Thummim.
The black signifies 'yes' and the white 'no'. When you are unable to read the omens, they help you to do so. Always ask an objective question. ' " (Coelho 31-32) This is important because the King of Salem is willing to help Santiago by giving him to read the omens so that he knows what they are trying to tell him. As you can see, the King of Salem really did help Santiago on his quest.
Fatima was also another character who helped Santiago to complete his quest. One way in which she helps him is by encouraging him to complete his journey and find his treasure. When Santiago tells him", 'That's why I want you to continue toward your goal. If you have to wait until the war is over, then wait.
But if you have to go before then, go in pursuit of your dream. The dunes are changed by the wind, but the desert never changes. That's the way it will be with our love for each other. ' " (Coelho 98-99) This quote is significant because if Fatima had not encouraged him to go, he probably would have stayed thinking that she was his treasure and Personal Legend.
Also, Fatima teaches him about love. She tells him", 'If I am really part of your dream, you " ll come back one day. ' " (Coelho 99) She also tells him, "I'm a desert woman, and I'm proud of that. I want my husband to wander as free as the wind that shapes the dunes.
And, if I have to, I will accept the fact that he has become a part of the clouds, and the animals, and the water of the desert". (Coelho 99) These quotes show that Fatima cares deeply about Santiago and wants what is best for him. Once Santiago tells Fatima that he is leaving, she supports his decision. Fatima tells him that", 'My father went away one day, but he returned to my mother, and he has always come back since then. ' " (Coelho 124) This quote is significant because it shows that Fatima supports his decision. If she had not supported it then Santiago might have stayed and not completed his Personal Legend and find his treasure.
Obviously, you can tell that Fatima influenced Santiago to complete his journey. Lastly, the Alchemist was another character who helped Santiago on his journey. The Alchemist helps Santiago by giving him advice during the time that he is with him. One night, Santiago and the Alchemist were about to leave, the Alchemist tells Santiago", 'Tomorrow, sell your camel and buy a horse. Camels are traitorous; they walk thousands of paces and never seem to tire. Then suddenly, they kneel and die.
But horses tire bit by bit. ' " (Coelho 117) This quote is significant because it shows that the Alchemist helps Santiago by giving him advice by telling him to get a horse and to sell his camel. This would help Santiago because the horse would be faster so that he would get to the Pyramids faster. The Alchemist also taught Santiago mysterious and unusual things. "The monk and [Santiago] looked at it, dazzled. The lead had dried into the shape of the pan, but it was no longer lead.
It was gold". (Coelho 156) This is important because Santiago got to see how people can change lead in to gold. He also learnt that people can do anything if they try. Santiago got to see how to do exotic and weird things. Event though the Alchemist did not show him how to do it.
The Alchemist also helps Santiago in another way. He guides him across the desert. When Santiago finally realizes that he would have to leave Fatima to be on his quest, the Alchemist tells Santiago", 'I'm going to guide you across the desert. ' " (Coelho 120) This is important because this is where the Alchemist tells Santiago that he is going to guide him to his treasure. This quote proves that the Alchemist really is going to help Santiago. For the reasons above, the Alchemist was a character who inspired Santiago to finish his quest and Personal Legend.
In the book, The Alchemist, the characters who guide and encourage Santiago are the King of Salem, Fatima, and the Alchemist. These characters help Santiago in many different ways by giving him clues and encouraging him to keep going on his quest. In one's life, people can help you as well. We can depend on those people to guide us because they care and love for us. These people help us to succeed in our life.
We should always keep these people in our lives because they are precious and valuable. They help us find our way when we are in trouble.
Bibliography
Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. New York: Harper Collins, 1998.