The 1st part of The Alchemist was action packed and very confusing. I found it interesting how Santiago’s father just sent him off to become a Sheppard, just because Santiago says that he wants to see and to explore the earth. If I told my mother and father I wanted to explore the earth they wouldn’t just send me off with a few gold coins. It shows how much we have changed. I found the seen with the gypsy very interesting because it clearly sets u what will happen in the rest of the book. The old man that he meets is also interesting and has a few similarities to the gypsy. One being they both told him about his dream. It surprises me that a kid that is so clever like Santiago could also forget that people speak a different language in the Middle East.
A key part of the first part of this book is his herd of sheep. They are like his family. He doesn’t want to let them go. He doesn’t even want to leave them for his personal legend, much like a lot of people and their families. Overal, a good first chapter of the book.
Page: 10
Santiago
“He owned a jacket, a book that he could trade for another, and a flock of sheep. But, most important, he was able every day to live out his dream. If he were to tire of the Andalusian Fields, he could sell his sheep and go to sea. By the time he had had enough of the sea, he would already have know other cities, other women, and other chances to be happy. I could not have found gods in the seminary, he thought as he looked at he sunrise.”
This paragraph shows that Santiago has many choices on how to lead his life. He started out as a Shepard but could end as a fisherman. He also knows many girls he could love. Santiago leads a very simple life but is full of things to do, girls to love and land to travel. In would love to have a life like this, full of adventure and opportunity.
I think that there are many omen’s in life, just as in the book, that pass us by each day. We don’t notice signs that might warn us of dangers or remind us what life is truly about. As humans, most of us believe that things happen spontaneously; spur of the moment type ideas. We believe that everything happens for a reason, but that is not a reason of which we know, nor that of which we should know. What would happen if we all knew what we had coming in the future? Would we live life the same, or would we hide, and close out the natural beauty in life? I believe, just like Santiago, that we must move forward in life; and as the caravan leader said, we should live or lives, forgetting the past, and not thinking about the future.
I think what Santiago is trying to say, in the beginning of the book, that we need to find out what we’re pursuing in life, and we need to continue to pursue that dream until we reach our set goal. We all have at least one inspiration that keeps us going throughout life. If we have no goal, we have nothing to live for. Even if we come across tough encounters we have to continue to lead the way; we must be leaders instead of followers. We have to blaze our own trails in life, and pursue our own individual dreams.
I liked the way that the story was written and the way that the narration refered to Santiago. I wasnt sure what time frame this story was in some things make it seem closer to our time.
The themes of personal legend, destiny, fate and omens run throughout the book. Santiago is introduced to the idea of personal legend by the king, and after a while he begins to believe in the idea, and tries to make sure he follows it. Later however, some things make his beliefs waver. I can understand Santiago’s questioning, because many people have a belief at first, but then reject what seems too good to be true.
This book has so many twists in it. This makes the book good. At the end when Snatiago was beaten, I thought he was going to die. When he made it throught the beating and went to the church was a differnet ending than what I thought would happen. With the treasure back where he had sleep with his sheep might mean that he should join the church again? What ever happen to the Englishmen? Did he ever learn how to make make gold? The ending left me with a lot of questions.
Opinion about the book
I think that the beginning of this story was put together well because it didn’t introduce the characters so fast it devoted time to each and every character detailing them so the reader could truly understand who he/she was dealing with. I also find it interesting that there are many different types of people you can be for instance the shepherd that Santiago chose; you sleep in the open herd sheep’s around and bond with your sheep. Also the personal legend guiders that help individuals find thee own personal legend if they need a pointer in the right direction or guidance.
This part of the book is very interesting and eventful. Santeigo talks about how he is working at the crystal shop for a year, which is what i predicted. Ever since he started working, business has gone way up. Santeigo has many good talks with the crystal merchant. The crystal merchant tells him that the boy has brought change to his life. He says he is scared of change and that his personal legend is to go to Mecca, but he is too scared to go now because he doesn’t know what will be next. I think the crystal merchant is a coward in many ways, because he is too scared to see the world, and accept change. After working at the shop for a good amount of time, Santeigo realizes he has enough money to buy his flock of sheep, which is why he even started working at the crystal shop.
Santeigo leaves the shop, but then realizes that buying sheep is something he could always do, and that going after his personal legend and traveling to the pyramids is actually what he wants to do. I espeically love this part of the book, because it shows that Santiago has to choose between two hard choices in life. After Santeigo makes his decision to go to the pyramids, the author switches perspective over to an Englishman.
The Englishman is very interested in Alchemy and decides that he too wants to go to the pyramids to see a special Alchemist, who can help him learn how to become a better Alchemist. Santeigo and the Englishman meet and both go on the caravan together on the long journey.
They both have camels and are ready for the adventure. It is a very long, hard trip, because the desert seems to never end, but everyone gets along. The nights are usually very silent and tiring. Finally after the traitorous journey, everyone starts to see trees and they know that they are close.
I think there were definitely some parts of this that was hard to understand. A lot of the things about Alchemy was hard for me to read. The book is also written in a certain way, which sometimes is hard to understand. I predict that next; Santeigo will spend time trying to get to the pyramids. I suspect that he will have to overcome obstacles and meet new people.
Predictions
I think that the treasure that Santiago is going to find is not really going to be to find his personal legend and his not going to be something materialistic, but rather something that can stay with you your whole life. My predictions for the future of the book is that he will meet someone in future towns like he has met the gypsy and what she has done for him; pointing him in the right direction for finding his treasure. Also another person he has met was the crystal merchant which greatly influenced Santiago because it showed him that if he doesn’t stick too something that interests him he is going to be bored in the long run and be tired of repeating the same thing over and over again.
A lot happened to Santiago in a short amount of time, first he was a shepherd, and then a crystal merchant and now he’s traveling through the desert trying to find his personal legend. Santiago seems to show everyone he meets new perspective. He still has youthful thinking and an open mind which most people don’t have. He taught the crystal merchant that it is okay to change your ways and better your life. He taught the Englishman that alchemy wasn’t as complex as he thought. He is discovering and learning a lot about himself my learning the ways of the world.
This made me wonder if I have a personal legend, and if I do what is it. I have no idea what I want to be, or what I want to do with my life so it would be hard for me to follow my legend. I also wonder if omens are real. I don’t really believe in them, and I don’t really think everything happens for a reason.
Part One
Santiago is a boy that is a Sheppard. He has a very special relationship with his sheep. When he wakes up in the morning, the sheep do too. This relationship shows how commited he is to his sheep, which already tells a lot about who he is, which i respect. He says it’s because the sheep know his schedule. Santiago likes to read because he talks about how he exchanges his books whenever he gets the chance, and seems to be a very smart person. I think how he is reading because it again shows that he is a smart boy and is interested in other things then just reading. Santiago’s parents wanted him to be a priest, but he wanted to travel, which is why he decides to become a Sheppard.
While he was in a town, getting his sheep’s wool sold, he met a girl. The way he described her, he seemed to love her. Personally, i dont think you can fall in love at first site, but again makes the story more capitivating. The conversation they had was natural and he never wanted it to end. Now a year later, he is going to go back to that same town. He seems very excited, but is worried that another Sheppard has come along in the mean time.
Santiago is having weird, repetitive dreams, so he goes to a gypsy. There the gypsy tells Santiago that there is a hidden treasure in the pyramids of Egypt and that is what his dream meant. He is confused as to what she means by this, and kind of ignores her.
While he is in a different country he meets a king. The king seems weird to him at first, but Santiago soon realized he isn’t. The king also tells him that he needs to go to the pyramids to find the treasure. The old man gives the boy two stones to help him answer his un-known questions. This part of the book was a little cloudy for me, and harder to read then the beginning parts of the book. The boy goes to a bar later on and gets his money stolen. He then decides to go work at a crystal merchant shop to get money for sheep.
I think this book so far is very interesting. A lot of things happen and it’s pretty easy to understand so far except for a couple of exceptions. I haven’t found myself bored yet and it’s keeping my attention. I think that Santiago is a very strong person for leaving his parents to go travel. I am not exactly sure what will happen next, but im guessing that he will work at the crystal shop for a while.
Part One
The one thing that I personally think each book needs is a good hook so that you are drawn into the book within the first 15-20 pages. It sparks some interest, and you want to keep reading, but unfortunately this book doesn’t have that spark. I hate when you have to wait 50 pages until you start caring about the plot and characters. This seems just like the age-old tale of an average-Joe-guy who wants to get the treasure, and then the girl. My impression of the book so far is that Santiago is going to have to work at the Crystal Merchants shop, earn money, learn life lessons, and then embark on his journey. I really hope Part 2 is more interesting.
The wind is the whisper of our mother the earth
The wind is the hand of our father the sky
The wind watches over our struggles and pleasures
The wind is the goddess who first learned to fly
The wind is the bearer of bad and good tidings
The weaver of darkness, the bringer of dawn
The wind brings the rain then builds us a rainbow
The wind is the singer who sang the first song.
The wind is the twister of anger and warning
The wind brings the fragrance of freshly mown hay
The wind is the racer and wild stallion running
and the sweet taste of love on a slow summer’s day.
The wind knows the songs of the cities and canyons
The thunder of mountain, the roar of the sea
The wind is the taker and giver of mornings.
The wind is the symbol of all that is free.
So welcome the wind and the wisdom she offers
Follow her summons when she calls again.
In your heart and your spirit let the breezes surround you
Lift up your voices and sing with the wind:
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
dee dee dee dee dee dee dee oooooooo
Really interesting to find out that Santiago was named after the old man in Hemingway’s book.
I thought he was named after the apostle due to the fact that the road to Santiago was a milestone in Paulo’s life.
Thank you for telling us.
Understanding this character was difficult for me the first time I read the book. I couln’t cope with his courage, determination and perseverance. Besides, he was so innocent at the same time. I was envious of him to a extent I refused to reread the book for some time.
However, when I took the veil off my heart I loved him. We all should be like Santiago if we’re decided to follow our dreams.
I specially love the part when he wakes up in the market place and DECIDES not to be a victim of a thief , but an adventurer in search of a treasure.
hola ahora estoy en españa y gracias a paulo conoci el camino de compostela ,jamas imagine que algun dia estaria en este pais y pieso hacer el peregrinaje no solo por paulo sino por mi y por todo lo que implica en mi vida de cambio constante y busqueda incansable , es la fuerza del universo que me trajo aqui y ahora aunque aveses desfallesco por extrañar a mi tierra se que este es mi nuevo destino y he de tomarlo con valor y alegria asi encontrare mi razon de existir..gracias paulo por compartir con nosotros tu experiencia …..katty
…(continued from the previous message)
Recently I’ve read “The Witch Of Portobello” and have to admit, I was flattered, as a Greek, by the use of the main character’s name, Athena, goddess of wisdom in the ancient Greek pantheon.
Moreover, the use of “Hagia Sofia” (=Holy Wisdom, in Greek)as a central axis in the story contributed further to my flattering, up tp a certain point, though. There is a moment in the book when you refer to “Hagia Sofia” as a mosque. I am sure you are aware that Hagia Sofia in Constantinople (Istanbul=is tin poli=towards the city) was a christian church and has been an ecumenical symbol of the Greek Orthodox tradition. Hence, I would expect you to, at least,have mentioned the century-long Christian nature of Hagia Sofia and then to its current (ab)use as a mosque or fashion show venue (by the Turkish governments).
My humble thanks for reading these lines.
You read the book and all you kept from it was your flattered ego of a Greek and the anger that the author didn’t support your nationalist view of Turks? wow, congratulations, you got the main idea.
Dear Amy, no reason to get..upset ;o)
Dear Argiri, things change, situations change , cities change, countries change, people change, we change..
Hagia Sofia now is a mosque..that doesn’t erase the fact that it was a christian church..that doesn’t erase the fact that it remains still a place of worship,either..whether it is used by Muslims or Christians, does it really matter? We are all people..
(I am also a Greek reader, so please don’t misjudge me)
Love and Graditude
Annie
Dear Mr Coelho,
my name’s Argyrios Z. and I’m 33 years old. I live in Greece and work as teacher of English.I’m a keen fan of your work and admirer of your resourceful ideas and skillful use of symbols in your writings.
Though Santiago obtains his treasure his content is only temporary. In the sequel Santiago looks for another treasure because people like him find it difficult to stay still and are not satisfied by the mundane things in life. What he will realize is that the true adventure is not the physical journey but the strength needed for the journey to stay in the present.
Santiago is the alchemist…
he embraces the world by trust and the courage to walk his legend.
By following the signs he listens to his heart which is the soul of the world.
He remembers that “all is one and one is all” and that there is a language without words.
His price is high, and out of his experiences he grows to his treasure.
In the beginning of his walk he is seeing a glimpse of the star and hears the story of the smaragd which shineing in the alchemist several times…
I’m not sure, for that i have to read the book again … did he paid 7 times a price….the gypsy woman, melchizedek, the one who wanted to travel with him to the pyramids, the money for the wind,the crystal shop merchant, fatima, and the men in the desert…
Maybe this can refer to the seven steps that has to be taken to find the smaragd, the treasure…inner purification.
I always asked myself why does he give his sheep away when he never may loose sight of his oil while he discovers the world?
So while the proces of purification is going on he transforms from a biological human being (I compare this also with the sheeps) into the elixir of life…the smaragd.
Is that the reason why he pays with his sheeps?
When he rises from below (digging into the earth, to above he purifies himself (getting liberated of death)to be the soul of the world by the treasure that he finds within.
While reading the book first time around in 2003, I was thinking about your question: ” why does he give his sheep away when he never may loose sight of his oil while he discovers the world? ”
Perhaps, this oil represents Santiago’s personal legend. To explore the beautiful sights and the world around him, but remain alert; aware of his own dream so that he does not wander off the path too far or for too long.
Since Santiago’s destiny in life was not to be ‘a shepherd’, he let go when the time was right. I loved the sensitivity and Santiago learned a lot about understanding, from the sheep.
(I also talked to the sheep while living in Scotland. Locals thought that was quite funny. These sweet little lambs would actually gather in a semi-circle – I called it ‘choir practise’ and took a picture of our gathering one day!!)
My English teacher propsed that the desert is your heart. I do not agree with this. It just doesn’t sit right in my mind. I feel like I’ve been going with my gut most of the time with this book, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and this makes my heart squeeze. The idea that my heart, Santiago’s heart, is a barren landscape with only random patches of nourished and healthy land disturbs me.
I think what Santiago has to separate are his heart and the desert; he must realize what distinguishes them from each other and then be able to blend them together again. His heart speaks to him along his journey, and is what allows him to commune with god and turn himself into a sandstorm. But this does not mean that they are one and the same. Like lead and gold, they may be made of the same essential ingredients (protons, electrons, etc.) but they are not interchangeable.
If we say then, that the desert is lead and the heart is gold, than it must be this transformation which alchemy speaks to. It is in the desert where Santiago learns to listen to his heart, which could arguably be the treasure that he finds in the end. It is in the desert where he finds love, the emotion most often associated with the heart (whether it is true or not is debatable). This is why the entire methodology of alchemy could be written on a single emerald; it is a basic human emotion. It is also undefinable, and often just beyond our reach, as is the practice of alchemy.
So I guess you are partially right mr. kasprzak; the desert is the heart in the sense that they are made of the same basic units, like lead and gold, and the practice of alchemy could arguably be separating the two, and finding the oasis in the middle of the desert.
I love Santiago’s character. He’s such a smooth operator! coasting through life, facing the challenges, taking his moments of doubt or hesitation, but always picking up and moving on.
He instinctively knows when to act and when not to. And I love his courage. Especially when he is face to face with the Alchemist, (it’s so awesome that the horseman is the Alchemist and Santiago doesn’t know it right off). Out of respect for the man and concern for his own life, first time he meets the horseman, he hangs his head down and looks to the ground. In that moment, I love it when the boy speaks his mind about his instincts and the omens he is able to see, despite it being a language he is not very familiar with. He is so courageous and brave.
So true, Carolena! Santiago speaks his truth, and so unapologetically. He doesn’t make excuses and he doesn’t try to dilute it – he just says it the way that it is and prepares himself to take the consequences, knowing that he has played his part to the fullest. The outcome is up to God. Truly a brave-heart!
Carolena & Savita, me too… love him. The horseman must have been pretty intimidating, but it never occurs to the boy to flee. And the boy just stands up for who he is, calmly answering the questions of the Alchemist. He even has a sword to his forehead, when the Alchemist asks; ‘Why did you read the flight of the birds?’ Threats about death, doesn’t seem to worry the boy at all. He just was true to himself; ‘I read only what the birds wanted to tell me’ And, the Alchemist getting more agitated, ‘Who are you to change what Allah has willed?’, the boy still believed in himself, and doesn’t let someone with a higher position intimidate him. This dialogue between the Alchemist and Santiago, is one of the highlight of the book in my opinion, sooo exciting. We literally see an example of how the Alchemist (the Universe) tests the boy, and how the boy just as Carolena says, keeps his courage and as Savita say is a ‘brave-heart’.
Yes, I want to transform the story literally to real life, especially be there by a well or by the pyramids in Egypt. Fatim+Fatim=Fatima according to our dear Aditya. I wonder if Santiag+Santiag equals Santiago *giggles*
I notice Paulo’s comment to Savita, and fully support his take on this… to follow our dreams. I just have one hesitation. Could a biological parent leave his/her children to fulfill these dreams? Let me give one example. The wonderful philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) (who may I mention as an explanation that he grew up without his own mother), he is well known in educational circles for developing so called child-centered learning. The paradox is, he was with his Therese, they had 6 children… and they gave up all their newborns to a founding hospital for the sake of Therese’s
‘honor’. Sic! Years later, Rousseau made inquiries about the fate of his children, but no records could be found. This abandonment, of his own children, of course has been used against him by his critics.
Now, I know of MANY men, who doesn’t take responsibility for raising their own children, and I know a few women too. Of course, in our society if a woman leaves her own children, its a disgrace and a scandal, much more than if a man do the same.
My opinion is, any child in this universe, needs quality contact with their biological parents, and to let the children down on this fundamental need, is a grave abuse to the child. However, circumstances…so on, one has to understand and forgive.. but should one leave one’s children to follow one’s dreams?
The world wouldn’t have been the same if Rousseau had chosen to work his butt off to feed his 6 children, and had dropped all the philosophical work he did.
Dear Heart, I am reading your post and my heart went out to you, so I hope you don’t mind a reply; will keep it as brief as possible.
I am a mother of 3 natural children and 3 sponsored children (and their families), from other countries.
When my daughter, the youngest natural child, was 18 years of age, the world called, the signs had led me to make a change, and travel once again. Part of my dream is to see happy kids everywhere. I had places and people to visit; work to do in a different sort of way, apart from the traditional North American view of what a ‘normal’ family life ’should’ be.
My daughter took me to the airport on July 5, 1999 and said ‘Mommy, don’t look back!!’. This is what I refer to as unbridled love. Had I turned around to look back, I would have seen her tears, and lost my strength to move forward.
Since that date I have visited 10 countries and led a full, meaningful life. The connection with my children is strong as strong can be. We get together because we want to enjoy each other at least once every year for a month, and savor those adventures. We have respect and admiration for our respective paths, loving and supporting each other, even when others may be critical or judgmental.
So, in my case, being a woman, different has meant extraordinary fulfillment even beyond my wildest of dreams. It was and still is, children, that taught/teach me almost everything I need to know in life, and so I practise, and practise, and practise. There is still so much more to do and my heart is full of JOY. Being ‘different’ has been a blessing!! Much Love to You and All, Jane : ) xo
I admire your traveling, the best way to grow as human beings. You left when your youngest child was 18 years old, really… they were adults by then. And you have only left them physically, as you stay in touch. So, you are saying stay with your children till they can fly, then fly yourself!
Thank you Heart, for encouragement and caring. And thank you for patience as I struggle to communicate with words sometimes : )
From a personal example in life – There was distress during my childhood, living with adults out of love with each other, and not wanting to be parents. How could this be turned into something positive? Well, by learning about love, making my own life better, hoping that life would be better for my children. I do not wish this same experience on anyone (it is my path), however, am thankful for the experience now and for the prairie to played in, which provided a connection to god and fed a heart full of Joy. So, this is how I learned about how important it is to be living while alive…doing what I love, and loving what I do. So it is not my place to advise anyone, only share as best I can, stressing the importance of following our hearts. God gave us free will and the power to love and what a gift that is, to me. : ) Thank you Heart, for this very interesting post!! Lots of Love to All, Jane : ) xo
While reading most of the post, I realize how meaningful and intense they feel. Reading could take you to a world of imagination and dreams, but to follow them and have the courage like Santiago is the big question. There are many places I would like to visit one day…I would like to follow my personal legend one day…
Yes, dreaming is one thing. To find happiness, I believe we have to see that dream come through in real life. Start visit one of those places now, then next place tomorrow, then next place sometime before you die. Great adventures awaits!
Dear Heart,
I certainly don’t have any answers to any of this, but I so have my personal experience. My own daughter does not know her father; they have never met. This was his choice. He felt he was not prepared to be a parent. But, when she was born – when he made his choice not to be a part of her life – I made a choice of my own: I said, “If you don’t want to be a part of her life now, that is fine. I can do this on my own. But just know that this decision is final. Don’t show up years later, wanting to be a father, disrupting her life, because I won’t allow it. If you’re out, you’re out for good. The end.” I gave him six months after she was born to show up and begin taking part – I thought that was fair – but that was the cut-off point. Then I said, “Don’t ever show your face around us, so long as you live.”
Many people, over the years, have criticized me for being so adamant about this. Some have even blamed me, saying that I kept them apart, saying that if I had not been so strong in voicing my opinion, perhaps he would have come around in the end. But, at the same time, in these seven years, my phone has never rang, with him on the other end of the line, saying, “I want to see my daughter.” I’ve never received a single letter or email, enquiring about her. He’s never tried to contact me, never tried to find her or see her. This, in my opinion, is a good thing.
If someone does not feel prepared to be a parent, sometimes the best thing that they can do is get out of the way and let someone else take over who is prepared and even eager to look out for the well-being of this child. I think that more children suffer from being with parents who aren’t really there, parents who neglect them in various ways, than from being “abandoned” all together. If, for whatever reason, someone has a child and they aren’t ready to be a responsible and fully-present parent, then they just need to get out of the picture and let someone else raise that child, someone who IS ready to take on that responsibility. There are so many people out there, with so much love to give, who are more than eager to adopt a child and give them a good and loving home.
If, for whatever reason, Rousseau felt that he wasn’t ready or able to be a good parent, then he probably made the wisest and most responsible decision by giving these children up for adoption.
By the way, Heart, I know that you are in the field of education, and the comments that you make regarding the subject always interest me. I wonder, if you get the chance, if you would come and visit me on facebook or MySpace, as I would love to hear more of your opinions and experience in education, but, of course, in a private conversation.
From all your postings I often have thought to myself what a wonderful mother you are to your daughter. So much love and care. And really, my question in connection with Rousseau and Paulo, was..can one leave one’s child to follow one’s dream? (of course often the answer is probably to bring the darn child with you hehe). No, joking aside. The answer, I believe is as you say, each individual has to answer to himself/herself what to do, because each individual situation is so unique. However, my personal opinion is, there is a Universal law, that a child really needs contact with both biological parents if possible, or the child will grow up with HUGE hurts. I agree with you, there are HUGE hurts growing up with both biological parents too. And who knows the answer to good enough parenting, certainly not the experts!
I am VERY sorry your child’s father took such a irresponsible decision. No doubt, on the long run, it will be HIS loss! And your daughter is not the only child with a dead beat father. Working as home visitor to about fifty families in Arizona, I have met a lot of single parents, a lot of individuals who had VERY limited contact with biological parents, and children who grew up in foster families. They are of course in tears, and in rage about talking about it. My own sister is a single mom, and I remember her youngest son, my nephew would want to watch a video of his dad, ALL the time, to at least feel he was together with his dad in some way. It broke my heart Savita, to see him wanting his dad so much, a little toddler at the time.
From experience working in daycare, and what I have learned about separation anxiety, it is amazing what a photo of a person can mean, to calm that fear of being separated. When parents leave their children to go to work, and they cry their heads off, one can just show a photo of the parents, and the child stops crying. You have probably seen to, how much a photo can mean to a person where a close one has died, and at least the one left alone, has the photo as a consolation and memory.
Savita, Thelma got me on to MySpace, but I must admit I hardly know how or why to use it. If you search Heart, Arizona, you should be able to find me, and I will give it a try this week end if I can find you through there. All, I can say. I respect your choice about what you told the father of your daughter. Where I come from a child can legally decide about parents when they are around 10, 12 years I believe, and my opinion is, as she grows older I really would listen to her wishes? You can find a lot of research about foster children, children of divorced parents, separation child/parents, just by searching yourself. For the child’s identity, it often is good to know WHO your biological parents are (I have an uncle who never knew where he got his name from, as his mom didn’t want him to, and in respect of her, he never pursued it).. Anyway,, my dinner clock is beeping…I have to run and save the chicken here… Yes, if there is anything I can do to help…but Savita it’s all your own instinct. You are a smart lady…I trust your own decisions a 100%.
You are so right about the power of photos, Heart, as well as many other things. But that is another story for another day. I’ll just say that the affect which photos have is not always a positive one. I framed two photos of my daughter’s father and put them in her room. She immediately started having vivid nightmares that he was trying to kill her, and consequently had to go through almost a year of therapy to rid herself of the hold which his negative energy seemed to have on her. She literally begged me to throw the photos away. I kept them, of course, because I thought she might still want them one day, but now they are well out of sight, in storage.
Your experience with the photo of your daughter’s father is unlike any one I have heard of. Thank you for showing us, this possibility too, an example where the photo should be taken away. Thank you for LISTENING to what your daughter says, and for HELPING her so much you let her get therapy. It makes me think about the Native Americans, because I believe some of them refuse to have their photo’s taken, because it can get control of their soul. So, there is definitely different approaches. The Native Americans didn’t have a lot of split families, when their belief developed, as the tribe would stay together. Now, thinking of for instance in a case of having a child with a person who, in the most extreme case, has given himself to the devil, to promote evil. In a case like that, I’d cut contact with the father of my child in a heartbeat, and keep it that way as long as it was in my power. I will say a prayer to St. Michael for the two of you, yourself and your daughter, to be your Safeguard always.
Dear Savita
I envy you for the great joy you have, for having a child. From your posts I see you are the best mother, fighting like a lioness for your daughter. About the man who dont want to have responsibility, is, in my opinion selfish and not mature. I love and do not leave alone an animal, so , if I see people leave their child for me all has no sense. They dont know what they lose.
Heart, how can you compare dogs with children? ;)
A child is made up of parts of the mother and the father, any one of them missing will definitely affect the child. How this absence, hole is manifested varies between every being.
Interesting post here.
I do? Well, now thinking about it, I believe my love for my two dogs is similar to what I feel for children. Is that bad? Sometimes I wish my dogs could tell me what they think, and I do realize they are different from Human beings, as we are created in the image of God. But to tell you the truth, I don’t think there is anything alive on this earth, loving me more than my to adorable dogs do, even though they cannot tell me so with so many words. Am I crazy?
Nice to meet you Lily! Yes, we have fun here!
Love,
Heart
May be my mistake, I thought you were answering Savita’s post!
Nice to meet you too Heart, I’ve noticed you are a regular here, and no I do not think you are crazy!
Dogs are a lot like children.
love
Lily
Hi dear Heart… I feel sad someone think that in order to love children we dont have to love animals. God created them too, so they worthy our love and respect. If I said I would never leave my dog on street, or something, and others do that even with their kids, is for showing how bad behavior some parents have. Lily misunderstand things. In my country many kids are alone because their parents work abroad, and some times they suicide because they miss parents so much. Is because of that I said what I did. Kids need they parents.
Ok, take care, sorry if I write something wrong.
Have a wonderful time.
Love
Alexandra
Yr right on spot Lily and Alexandra, we should love every little sand corn God created, as it is an expression of the whole creation. Sand corns don’t like to be left alone either. We need to go and talk to them :)
I just love this whole conversation. Isn’t it funny how things can get so mixed up sometimes. And what were we talking about? – Santiago > following one’s dreams > leaving things behind to do so > the love of children > the love of dogs > sand corns! Here we are, right back where we started: with Santiago, in the desert, whispering to grain of sand, listening to the voice of the desert….
The wonderful thing about your Santiago is that everybody who reads your book have the feeling that it talks about him, her. I heard so many people, of different ages that Santiago is made upon their features…???
They feel that they are Santiago. This your great skill. You make them live the adventure and identify with the character.
Santiago is an individual and his Dream. I am Santiaga, in the same story, my story is Santiago’s story. I over read some posts about it being different for woman, females… This is not true, as I, despite being a female walked the same path as Santiago. It wasn’t easy, certainly not, but being a female certainly did not stop me.
Like Santiago, I had a dream, and had an itch to travel because I was looking for my own treasure. I knew it was out there, and so like Santiago, I took off traveling solo to distant lands. And like Santiago, I also, found my treasure literally, in my own back yard.
I also faced many many obstacles, disappointments, had to curve off of my road because the conditions were not quite right, like Santiago when he had to work at the Crystal shop, but like him, every time, I got back on my road!
Santiago shows the behavior of men. He set off (because of his dream) but many other man stay at home and marry, but after a few year later they fall ill or their behavior have changed: they allow to decide instead of them another person (eg their wife ). Since I have read the book I realized that it is a common behavior (and women have a common behavior, too), it’s interest how could live their lives again (maybe on Santiago’s way).
Why the name of the boy is Santiago??????????????
When I was young, I read “The old man and the sea” (a great book). The first sentence is “The old man’s name was Santiago”. And then Hemingway never mention his name again.
I thought: this is great!
So when I wrote The Alch I paid a tribute to E. Hemingway. “The boy’s name was Santiago”. And I don’t mention his name again during the whole story
Ahhhhhhh, a question answered!! Santiago, in The Alchemist, seems to be the boy who is becoming, and the only way he is able to become his best self is through learning, experience, then practise. I love some of Hemmingway’s work too : )
I have not read that book by Hemmingway, but to me it was obvious that Santiago is the Alchemist, and even Melchizedek I saw the Alchemist in him too. The Englishman, bits and parts, as I would say he is more or I should say he represents more that which is acquired from outside, learned and the experience.
It stirs my interest, I will have to read ‘The Old Man and The Sea.’
Hi Carolena! WOW, I had the same impression as you!:
It is interesting to think about and acknowledge how many people, places, and things shaped Santiago’s life and became part of him.
The Old Man and The Sea is my son’s favorite story of all time, and The Alchemist is mine.
Love to All, Jane : ) xo
Till now, i was thinking that the name was due to your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (your first book) and that was the link between these 2 books…
So now, i have to save another information on my mind’s hard disc :)
Now, Im curious WHY you only mention the name Santiago once?
There is a Norwegian classic peasant novel by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, ‘A Happy Boy’, that opens almost like your first sentence. It goes like this, ‘His name was Øyvind, and he cried when he was born’. But this characters name is mentioned many times in the saga. So again, it makes me curious what intentions you behind not using his name more than once?
Heart, I have a theory, ok look at it this way, Santiago journeys, and along the way the people he meets are the people he becomes. Experience changes people, he becomes those people he meets until he gets to the Alchemist. So all of the characters are Santiago at different stages of his life. Then he comes back to where he started, he makes the full circle back to his dream.
He starts off as Santiago looking for his treasure, and comes back an old man when he finds it.
Carolena, I love your reflections. Yes, I hear what Paulo says. He chose the name to pay tribute to Hemingway. But that doesn’t explain why he only mention the name once. I was thinking if it had to do with, something I don’t know where I have it from, but don’t Jewish have a rule never to mention the name of God? One shouldn’t take God’s name in vain. I was just wondering if it had to do with a respect for the character of some sort?
Then, here is your wonderful line of thoughts. I agree so much, the real Alchemist, is Santiago, so his name in a way changes at the different stages of his life. Now I hope Paulo will Elaborate. Hehe.
Your theory is great dear Carolina, however I dont agree ! MOstly i dnt agree with the people becoming those they meet..Santiago doesnt become the people he meets. He is who he is..However, he is changing yes, he is becoming more and more who he is with the help of those he meets..He is reflecting himself to others, not the other way round! Certainly those we meet affect us, and they might trigger characteristics or behaviours we have never thought of, so we explore more and more ourselves..
Yes, I agree with what you are saying. It was my poor use of words. I did not mean he becomes them. I meant being changed by experience and like you say, getting closer to becoming who he really is, The Alchemist.
Thanks for that Annie!
love!
Dearest Heart, dont get confused, the answer is simple
Paulo said : “I read “The old man and the sea” (a great book). The first sentence is “The old man’s name was Santiago”. And then Hemingway never mention his name again.
I thought: this is great!”
So the simple answer is; Paulo only mentions the name Santiago once, because Hemingway only mentioned it once. Ha! I should have made an online search about why Hemingway only mention it once?…the time is limited, but it makes me wonder. Must be a literary trick of some sort?
Yes, he liked the idea of mentioning the name once, so he adopted this idea to his book :) I dont know why Hemingway mentioned it once..maybe because we are all like him..so the name doesnt really matter..and the sea is the Life..and Life is a continious stuggle..we are all like boats sailing in the vastness of the sea, always sailing between Heaven and Hell..
The literary “trick,” Heart, is called “tagging.” At least, if my memory serves me correctly, that is the proper term for it: when an author introduces a character and thereafter doesn’t use the name but only refers to the character by some peculiar characteristic or “tag.” For example, “The woman with the purple handbag” or “the boy with the gimp.” This is particularly useful when there are a lot of characters or when many are introduced all at once, because it is hard for the reader to memorize and keep up with all those names. So, in Paulo’s book, we have these “tags”: “the boy,” “the merchant,” “the Englishman,” etc. Much easier than dealing with a list of names, especially names from languages that might not be familiar to all of us.
This is particularly brilliant, I think, on Paulo’s part, because he even has Santiago make a mental comment on this subject (pg. 16 in my copy). The boy picks up his book to read, “And the names of the people involved were very difficult to pronounce. If he ever wrote a book, he thought, he would present one person at a time, so that the reader wouldn’t have to worry about memorizing a lot of names.” This is what Paulo does for us in The Alchemist – he introduces one character at a time, and then gives us these tags in the place of names, which for many of us, would surely be hard to pronounce or remember.
We are so much in love with this young shepherd boy, Santiago. Previously, I had read Ernest Hemingway’s; The Old Man and the Sea, but didn’t notice that the aging fisherman in this novel, was named Santiago. Till now, I didn’t know he was your inspiration for this wonderful main character in the Alchemist. In fact, I had not heard the name Santiago at all before I read your fable, and now, doing the workshop, made a search to see where the name comes from. The name Santiago means Saint James. So, already we know there is another dimension to the character, than the mere shepherd boy. When you say; ‘I was caught up in a storm like the one threatening to break at any moment over the city of Rio de Janeiro’, in the process of getting started with the novel, it’s a big surprise to me, because Santiago is the complete opposite to such a state of mind, he is this calm, grounded, peaceful person. Also you talk about; ‘ lively sounds of families getting ready to have supper’ surrounding you where you started out writing this wonderful story, which too is a contrast to Santiago’s life, a life in solitude with his sheep, his books, his dream and then quite alone traveling. Santiago isn’t a typical family man, who comes home for supper in the evening.
Why do we love this character, Santiago, so much? You say;’…the story of the shepherd I had always been, even though I had never tended sheep, only dreams’. Personally, as a girl, I literally went with my granddad during the summer months, to look after the sheep, and therefore the opening chapter, with Santiago’s time as a shepherd, brings back very fond memories of a paradise like childhood. We would bring buckets of potato peelings for the sheep a couple of times a week, and my grand dad would call the sheep from high up in the mountains, and as we climbed up there, the sheep flock came running down towards us with their bells waiving around the neck. ‘Libbe, libbe, libbe’, my granddad would call. And they would answer with their; ‘Baa’. He would rub their ears, talk a bit to them, and make sure they were all sound and well, before we returned back to the farm. To me it was a sign, during the funeral ceremony, when my beloved granddad was being buried, and a flock of sheep, loudly ‘disturbed’ the priest, with their intense ‘Baa-ing’. It was as if they complained about having to part with their lovely shepherd.
You also say; ‘And thus the shepherd met the king and found the courage to go forward’. Let me connect to the Shepherd in religious meaning. As a symbol the shepherd has had a spiritual meaning for instance as here from the Old Testament;
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
(Psalm 22, 23)
Also the New Testament uses the shepherd as one of the symbols for Jesus; ‘The lamb is their king who leads them to the source of the water of life’. (Rev 7:17). In The Alchemist the shepherd boy has an added meaning. Here he becomes an alchemist who tend dreams, who follows the signs of his dreams and finds the treasure; ‘a chest of Spanish gold coins…precious stones, gold masks adorned with red and white feathers, and stone statues embedded with jewels’. He so to speak finds paradise on earth, slowly, steadily coming back to his desert woman who is waiting in the oasis. Could it be several women?
Interesting, and I, when I heard about this workshop and came to the blog, I wondered why Paulo didn’t make a section for the sheep. Would have been interesting to read about no?
You sound like a great animistic soul dear Nguyet. Here is a poem for silly animistics; The Grasshopper’s grief.
A grasshopper sat on a flagstone and wept
with a sorrow that few surpass.
He had painfully mastered his letters, and leapt
to a place where he knew an inscription was kept
and of course it said;
KEEP OFF THE GRASS.
(Piet Hein)
Santiagos sheep could understand when he read to them, right!
Before I read your post, Nguyet, I was about to say the same thing. It would be nice to have a category for the sheep, because, to me, they are a character too.
Just a couple of days ago, I started rereading The Alchemist (I’m not finished yet.) The first thing that struck me was the relationship that Santiago has with his sheep. I thought, That is me and my dogs! As Alexandra says, maybe everyone who reads the book sees themselves reflected in Santiago. For me, this refection appeared when I read of Santiago’s deep connection with his sheep.
I have 11 dogs. (At times, I have had more in my care, as many as 21, but right now just 11.) They are a “pack” in a sense, but each is unique, and each has come to me with his or her own specific history of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Each and every one of them is “messed up” in some way. One thinks that I am her mother. She was only three weeks old when her owner brought her to me; her mother had been killed by a car. Every time I am out of her sight, she panics. Another was found on the side of a freeway, likely abandoned because he has a genetic skin disorder that requires him to have expensive medications and special food for the rest of his life. Yet another is both completely blind and deaf, born that way. On top of that, he is a bit like an autistic child – he doesn’t really “connect” with other dogs or human beings and prefers not to be touched at all. The only thing that he responds to is water; I spend a great deal of time each day playing with him with the water hose. The list goes on and on. As I say, they are all so “messed up,” and yet I love them, each and every one.
Furthermore, I feel this deep connection with them that I simply do not feel with human beings – something that transcends language. They know me, and I know them, and we don’t need words to communicate or to feel that we are at-one. In a sense, I am their shepherd. I care for them the best that I can, and in return, they give me this most amazing unconditional love. They accept me just as I am. Even if I am important to no one in the world, I am everything to them.
We have developed this relationship, and now I feel deeply responsible for them, not just in the present, but responsible for their continued well-being. They trust me, just as Santiago’s sheep trust him. They do not know what is in my mind. The “evil” plot that I am planning – to leave them behind and move on. I am planning to move to the city, and will be able to take with me only four. Even their lives will be changed forever, because they will no longer have endless fields and forests in which to roam. There will be a small yard, the dog park, walks on a leash – that’s it. The others? I have already found homes for some. The rest I’m working on still. What do you do with a dog that can neither see nor hear? No one wants him.
And even if I do find good homes for them all, I still worry. I worry that I will be like Santiago: getting rid of my sheep so that I can go out on this big adventure searching for my treasure, only to realize that I have given up my real treasure, which is my sheep – my dogs. As I say, I haven’t finished rereading the book, and I have very poor memory when it comes to literature, but it seems that I remember the ending being something like this: Santiago’s real treasure is his sheep, and the life he left behind in the fields of Andalusia.
Here you are faced with a dilemma Santiago faced many times. Do you stay or do you go? Both cases, you are taking a risk.
My best advice to you: Pay The Price of your Dreams!
The adventures of Santiago is almost literally my own life, so I feel blessed, in the middle of a dream even now, this moment, writing about it!! Something absolutely so beautiful there are not even words! My earliest memories are of wanting to go to Africa, and everyone that knew me, knew that. And at last, after years of dreaming, actually went to spend a few months there (but sadly, did not get to see the pyramids, perhaps another adventure one day!!). My whole life has been about exploring, adventure, giving up everything material twice, was robbed..etc.. When first reading The Alchemist I had not yet been to Africa. It was finally, not quite 18 months afterwards, that I was enroute. Reading about Santiago was like a refreshing breath of life to inspire me to on, on my path. Who would have even thought that one day this Workshop would exist? My heart is full of JOY. Thank you Paulo : ) Love to All xo
Indeed, Dances! It’s great to have this forum, and to be able to interact with Paulo Coelho himself! An author lionized beyond measure actually reaching out to his readers, spending time to read the interactions in this workshop and actually share his thoughts just he’s like one of us. Hahaha… I’m just brimming with gladness. I’ve just gotten here and I’m beyond myself with excitement. Just when I felt so jaded with the internet, I stumbled into this, and it’s like “hey, I’d like to spend time with this people here.” And Paulo, I so love it that naming the boy Santiago is your way of giving tribute to Hemingway. As a student of literature, we were forced to plow through his works (but we love him, actually). But hearing it from you, it made you real. Lol. Forgive me, I’m just really excited and so happy to be here. I love the people here, I love it here.
draga paulo…santiago este portretul omului de astazi care cauta indeplinirea unui vis?dar nu inteleg un lucru:de ce-l ajuta alchimistul si regele..de ce au incredere in acest ciobanas?aceasta poveste este oare bazata pe un fapt real..?aceasta carte este o transformare a unor evenimente din viata dumneavoastra?
Dear Neela and Hear,
the fact of returning to where we come from and finally being able to appreciate what we have gives us two clues :
- that we need to part ourselves from what we know
- but that we need to look under a new light what we hold as obvious.
Much love
Paulo
Dear Paulo,
I could not agree more with what you are saying.
I am finding that everyday. It is quite an experience.
Thank you for that.
allez, un petit beijo.
Marie-Christine
Yes heart! I remember I sat in a busstation and cried reading that part. In Mr Coelho’s books there are always parts when he talks directly to the universe and life and he touches people liken no other. Me and my sisters use to call these moments like an spiritual orgasm.
Hi Sheela!
I’m very curious about your comment. Are you implying that if Santiago was actually “Santiaga” (for instance), the story couldn’t/wouldn’t have unfolded in the same manner? Interesting…
Hi both Sheela and Biombo….This is indeed an interesting point of view. I think there are of course a lot of dangers out there, but women make journeys alone, live alone and learn to survive the dangers. We cannot stop the madman whatever sex we are but I think when you believe in yourself you can overcome obstacles….Just a few thoughts…..with love to you both…Angela
Yes, there are women who travel alone too.And can fend for themselves.
I had occasion to travel alone after 3 years,this in Feb -I did it to prove to myself that I could do that again. It turned out to be quite a journey.Realised I can take risks again.
Hi Biombo,
Thanks for your comment and question. Well, since I yearn to travel so much again-have been around with family and alone too- but travel as in an adventure like Santiago- sleep under the stars, with sheep for company(you know what I mean) women do have limitations.I see that so clearly in my country and it may be true in other countries as well.
I was led to read the Alchemist the third time this afternoon and got hold of my brother’s laptop so here I am. I guess I’ll quote from the Amazing book it is (finally found the page I marked-I have it in front of me now)-
Santiago: on page27: The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind,and saw that he could have the same freedom.
Does that line ’speak’ to you?
Perhaps you can answer that question alone. What gender and journeys may mean to us individually…
Paulo did chose Brida ,a woman and Maria in Eleven Minutes and the woman in The Zahir who leaves the writer. Each was on their own quest for different reasons.Perhaps dearest Paulo can answer this far better than I.
Again thank you for bringing this up.It is interesting…
Things are not same for men and women, agrreed, the jouney paths, modes, maybe diffrent but essential is the crux, the journey. of course story line would have been diffrent had it been santiaga ( my views ) for one fatima would have been fatim !!
and yogesh what did u say, try to unedrstand women ! that is impossible, omens may be.
Oh, I think we can do it if we want to, Sheila. I did. Once, I set off for the jungles of Mexico alone, and I didn’t even know a word of Spanish. (I learned along the way; I was in Mexico for a year.) Many people warned me, “Be careful! You’ll get killed – or worse!” The thing is that I took nothing with me that was of any value whatsoever. I went around dressed like a peasant, not dripping with jewels. And, above all, I trusted implicitly in the goodness of the common people. I specifically avoided places that were touristy, because these are always seething with thieves and the like. I got as far off the beaten path as I could, always travelled third-class (which meant riding in the back of buses, sitting on top of chicken crates and boxes of coconuts), and spent as much time as I could with the common people of the small villages, not tourists. In fact, in many of the places I visited, there were no other tourists, and no tourist facilities. I just trusted that, wherever I went, I would find someone who was amiable enough to offer me food and a bed. Many times I have slept out in the wide open, under the stars, just hanging my hammock between two trees, especially if I arrived by bus in the middle of the night, when the whole village was already asleep. The funny thing is – it worked! I wasn’t raped, I wasn’t murdered, no one stoled anything from me, no one tried to molest me (well, maybe once, but I managed to get away, and afterward felt all the stronger for the experience). For the most part, people were enormously kind and helpful wherever I went.
So, my conclusion from this experience is that these limitations are primarily in our own heads. We are conditioned to think that “it is not safe for a woman to travel or set out on an adventure alone.” Granted, there are some places where, due to the culture or laws, this truly is not possible, but there are still so many countries wherein a woman can easily travel alone with no problem at all. If this is what you dream of doing, let no one stop you! Just go!
A wonderful post Savita.I agree with you 200%. I have also similar journeys made alone, without fear, but with need to go, explore, discover…with love Angela
I as well agree! I’ve packed up a few times and taken off to distant unfamiliar lands to explore and discover. And although there is that presence of fear when undertaking something new, but for me to have let the fear stop me was crazier than my need to go on my journeys.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself’…
Thanks Savita. Reading this post makes me want to pack up a little sac and take off on a journey again!
When I was reading the Alchemist I related to Santiago and also wanted to be like him. He talked to his parents about what he wanted to do in life and then took the step to make it happen. From that point on in the story I read the pages so fast and saw so many pictures in my head. The character, Santiago, made me feel what I wanted to do was possible.
your last line here has brought my attention to one of the quotes i have in my workplace, actually i have many pasted here and there, one is my original one i.e. i had not heard it when i suddenly wrote it ” What is the fun in doing something, if i alreday know that it’s possible ” for me fun is when i don’t know whether its’ possible or not, others may or may not have done it, but when i am doing it i don’t know, it may happen may not happen, that uncertainity gives the fun, the tesnsion, and the release.
Santiago being a shepherd boy is symbolic of a person that is in constant travel. He must also take a journey in order to find his personal legend and follow his dreams. My question is: Does one have to travel outside of their realm in order to follow their dreams? Can someone find themselves and not ever travel?
Dear Biombo,
it is possible to travel without necessarily moving. For most of my youth, books were for me my passport to far away places. Of course, after reading I felt more then ever the need to physically travel.
Much love
Paulo
Dear Paulo, Santiago made a journey to the Pyramids to find his treasure, my question is, we know you traveled the road to Santiago de Compostella, but had you actually made a journey through the African deserts before you wrote the Alchemist?
Also, Santiago goes after a treasure in the pyramids, when he finds his treasure, it is basically money. Is money the treasure you had in mind when you started to write the story? Or is the treasure symbolic of a Personal Legend, and money can equal in your case, becoming a writer?
my take ‘ yes it is possible ” what does travel do to you, it makes you more alert, more alive, because things are not routine, if one can maintain child like curiosity, one can travel without moving.
Hi Biombo,
I remember when I was young I had penpals all over the world (Denmark, England, USA, Spain, Africa,etc). It was for me a form of travelling “without travelling”…and dreaming..:)
Love,
Marie-Christine
What I loved most about Santiago was his willingness to adapt and move forward. When he was left empty handed in the city, his money from the sale of his beloved sheep stolen, he spent a few moments in despair, bewildered about what to do next, and then he seemed to make a conscious choice to not let the bad circumstance own him. He chose to look at the world in a different light and keep going…no self pity, no sense of entitlement, no expectation that someone would save him from himself…He chose his attitude, opened his mind a heart, and put one foot in front of the other. In seeking employment from the Crystal Merchant he showed initiative by demonstrating first how he could be useful, before being granted the job. In recognizing how tragic it was that the Crystal Merchant was likely never to go to Mecca, there was no sense of judgment for the choice he made, just an understanding that it was not going to be Santiago’s choice to do the same. I truly admire this young protagonist who came of age with every experience he faced. I ask my students to imagine themselves in his situations and examine what they would do given the same choices. After much discussion, they often come to admire him, too.
The one thing I wonder about Santiago, at the end of the text once he has come full circle and finds his treasure where he began, what does he do next? Does he return to Fatima for certain and live at the Oasis? Does he become like the Alchemist and help others achieve their Personal Legend? Does he discover that there is more to his Personal Legend than just the treasure he sought and continue his growth? As much as I know that a character is just on the page, Santiago reads like a real young man to me. The same way I often wonder where my students end up 5 or 10 years after they leave my classroom, I wonder where Santiago’s life led him, too…..
I think the story ends in this manner, so that every person who has finished the book can fill in the blank for themselves as to how Santiago’s fulfills his destiny. I am also a teacher and wonder how my students end up years later and if I had a positive or negative impact on their lives..hopefully a positive!
Dear Melyssa,
not even I can say what Santiago would do next. I have a hint that he will meet Fatima again – because she is calling him despite the immensity of the desert.
But from then onwards, I prefer to leave it to the reader. It’s actually the moment when the reader makes this choice also.
Much love
Paulo
must express my appreciation for all the teachers who so pateintly, taught us through primary school. most tecahers i met were kind to me, as they must be to every child. In a more evolved society, teachers, specially primary tecahers would be more valued and respected than say collage teachers.
Bom!!! O Allquimista foi um dos melhores livros que encontrei do Paulo Coelho… Nele pude perceber a força de um sonho verdadeiro, uma conquista fabulosa para quem quer que seja e que corra realmente atras de seus sonhos!!!!
acredite e serás eternamente grato a você e suas oportunidades da vida…
Essa obra de muitas que já li do mesmo me trouxe paz, alento, momentos de choro e também me mostrou momentos de risos… histórias idealizadoras….
comecei a lê os livros dele aos 14 ano e hoje tenho 18 e não me arrependo de maneira alguma de escolher Paulo Coelho e Saint Exupéry como os melhores autores do mundo!!!
I believe that when we look for love courageously, it reveals itself, and we attract even more love. If one person really wants us, everyone does. But if we’re alone, we become even more alone. Life is strange…
Santiagonise
Santiagape
Aie! Aie! Aie!
;)
The 1st part of The Alchemist was action packed and very confusing. I found it interesting how Santiago’s father just sent him off to become a Sheppard, just because Santiago says that he wants to see and to explore the earth. If I told my mother and father I wanted to explore the earth they wouldn’t just send me off with a few gold coins. It shows how much we have changed. I found the seen with the gypsy very interesting because it clearly sets u what will happen in the rest of the book. The old man that he meets is also interesting and has a few similarities to the gypsy. One being they both told him about his dream. It surprises me that a kid that is so clever like Santiago could also forget that people speak a different language in the Middle East.
A key part of the first part of this book is his herd of sheep. They are like his family. He doesn’t want to let them go. He doesn’t even want to leave them for his personal legend, much like a lot of people and their families. Overal, a good first chapter of the book.
Page: 10
Santiago
“He owned a jacket, a book that he could trade for another, and a flock of sheep. But, most important, he was able every day to live out his dream. If he were to tire of the Andalusian Fields, he could sell his sheep and go to sea. By the time he had had enough of the sea, he would already have know other cities, other women, and other chances to be happy. I could not have found gods in the seminary, he thought as he looked at he sunrise.”
This paragraph shows that Santiago has many choices on how to lead his life. He started out as a Shepard but could end as a fisherman. He also knows many girls he could love. Santiago leads a very simple life but is full of things to do, girls to love and land to travel. In would love to have a life like this, full of adventure and opportunity.
I think that there are many omen’s in life, just as in the book, that pass us by each day. We don’t notice signs that might warn us of dangers or remind us what life is truly about. As humans, most of us believe that things happen spontaneously; spur of the moment type ideas. We believe that everything happens for a reason, but that is not a reason of which we know, nor that of which we should know. What would happen if we all knew what we had coming in the future? Would we live life the same, or would we hide, and close out the natural beauty in life? I believe, just like Santiago, that we must move forward in life; and as the caravan leader said, we should live or lives, forgetting the past, and not thinking about the future.
I think what Santiago is trying to say, in the beginning of the book, that we need to find out what we’re pursuing in life, and we need to continue to pursue that dream until we reach our set goal. We all have at least one inspiration that keeps us going throughout life. If we have no goal, we have nothing to live for. Even if we come across tough encounters we have to continue to lead the way; we must be leaders instead of followers. We have to blaze our own trails in life, and pursue our own individual dreams.
I liked the way that the story was written and the way that the narration refered to Santiago. I wasnt sure what time frame this story was in some things make it seem closer to our time.
The themes of personal legend, destiny, fate and omens run throughout the book. Santiago is introduced to the idea of personal legend by the king, and after a while he begins to believe in the idea, and tries to make sure he follows it. Later however, some things make his beliefs waver. I can understand Santiago’s questioning, because many people have a belief at first, but then reject what seems too good to be true.
This book has so many twists in it. This makes the book good. At the end when Snatiago was beaten, I thought he was going to die. When he made it throught the beating and went to the church was a differnet ending than what I thought would happen. With the treasure back where he had sleep with his sheep might mean that he should join the church again? What ever happen to the Englishmen? Did he ever learn how to make make gold? The ending left me with a lot of questions.
Opinion about the book
I think that the beginning of this story was put together well because it didn’t introduce the characters so fast it devoted time to each and every character detailing them so the reader could truly understand who he/she was dealing with. I also find it interesting that there are many different types of people you can be for instance the shepherd that Santiago chose; you sleep in the open herd sheep’s around and bond with your sheep. Also the personal legend guiders that help individuals find thee own personal legend if they need a pointer in the right direction or guidance.
This part of the book is very interesting and eventful. Santeigo talks about how he is working at the crystal shop for a year, which is what i predicted. Ever since he started working, business has gone way up. Santeigo has many good talks with the crystal merchant. The crystal merchant tells him that the boy has brought change to his life. He says he is scared of change and that his personal legend is to go to Mecca, but he is too scared to go now because he doesn’t know what will be next. I think the crystal merchant is a coward in many ways, because he is too scared to see the world, and accept change. After working at the shop for a good amount of time, Santeigo realizes he has enough money to buy his flock of sheep, which is why he even started working at the crystal shop.
Santeigo leaves the shop, but then realizes that buying sheep is something he could always do, and that going after his personal legend and traveling to the pyramids is actually what he wants to do. I espeically love this part of the book, because it shows that Santiago has to choose between two hard choices in life. After Santeigo makes his decision to go to the pyramids, the author switches perspective over to an Englishman.
The Englishman is very interested in Alchemy and decides that he too wants to go to the pyramids to see a special Alchemist, who can help him learn how to become a better Alchemist. Santeigo and the Englishman meet and both go on the caravan together on the long journey.
They both have camels and are ready for the adventure. It is a very long, hard trip, because the desert seems to never end, but everyone gets along. The nights are usually very silent and tiring. Finally after the traitorous journey, everyone starts to see trees and they know that they are close.
I think there were definitely some parts of this that was hard to understand. A lot of the things about Alchemy was hard for me to read. The book is also written in a certain way, which sometimes is hard to understand. I predict that next; Santeigo will spend time trying to get to the pyramids. I suspect that he will have to overcome obstacles and meet new people.
Predictions
I think that the treasure that Santiago is going to find is not really going to be to find his personal legend and his not going to be something materialistic, but rather something that can stay with you your whole life. My predictions for the future of the book is that he will meet someone in future towns like he has met the gypsy and what she has done for him; pointing him in the right direction for finding his treasure. Also another person he has met was the crystal merchant which greatly influenced Santiago because it showed him that if he doesn’t stick too something that interests him he is going to be bored in the long run and be tired of repeating the same thing over and over again.
A lot happened to Santiago in a short amount of time, first he was a shepherd, and then a crystal merchant and now he’s traveling through the desert trying to find his personal legend. Santiago seems to show everyone he meets new perspective. He still has youthful thinking and an open mind which most people don’t have. He taught the crystal merchant that it is okay to change your ways and better your life. He taught the Englishman that alchemy wasn’t as complex as he thought. He is discovering and learning a lot about himself my learning the ways of the world.
This made me wonder if I have a personal legend, and if I do what is it. I have no idea what I want to be, or what I want to do with my life so it would be hard for me to follow my legend. I also wonder if omens are real. I don’t really believe in them, and I don’t really think everything happens for a reason.
Part One
Santiago is a boy that is a Sheppard. He has a very special relationship with his sheep. When he wakes up in the morning, the sheep do too. This relationship shows how commited he is to his sheep, which already tells a lot about who he is, which i respect. He says it’s because the sheep know his schedule. Santiago likes to read because he talks about how he exchanges his books whenever he gets the chance, and seems to be a very smart person. I think how he is reading because it again shows that he is a smart boy and is interested in other things then just reading. Santiago’s parents wanted him to be a priest, but he wanted to travel, which is why he decides to become a Sheppard.
While he was in a town, getting his sheep’s wool sold, he met a girl. The way he described her, he seemed to love her. Personally, i dont think you can fall in love at first site, but again makes the story more capitivating. The conversation they had was natural and he never wanted it to end. Now a year later, he is going to go back to that same town. He seems very excited, but is worried that another Sheppard has come along in the mean time.
Santiago is having weird, repetitive dreams, so he goes to a gypsy. There the gypsy tells Santiago that there is a hidden treasure in the pyramids of Egypt and that is what his dream meant. He is confused as to what she means by this, and kind of ignores her.
While he is in a different country he meets a king. The king seems weird to him at first, but Santiago soon realized he isn’t. The king also tells him that he needs to go to the pyramids to find the treasure. The old man gives the boy two stones to help him answer his un-known questions. This part of the book was a little cloudy for me, and harder to read then the beginning parts of the book. The boy goes to a bar later on and gets his money stolen. He then decides to go work at a crystal merchant shop to get money for sheep.
I think this book so far is very interesting. A lot of things happen and it’s pretty easy to understand so far except for a couple of exceptions. I haven’t found myself bored yet and it’s keeping my attention. I think that Santiago is a very strong person for leaving his parents to go travel. I am not exactly sure what will happen next, but im guessing that he will work at the crystal shop for a while.
Part One
The one thing that I personally think each book needs is a good hook so that you are drawn into the book within the first 15-20 pages. It sparks some interest, and you want to keep reading, but unfortunately this book doesn’t have that spark. I hate when you have to wait 50 pages until you start caring about the plot and characters. This seems just like the age-old tale of an average-Joe-guy who wants to get the treasure, and then the girl. My impression of the book so far is that Santiago is going to have to work at the Crystal Merchants shop, earn money, learn life lessons, and then embark on his journey. I really hope Part 2 is more interesting.
Thinking about Santiago, his encounters with The Wind, and this song dances in my heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMqmrrxeFO8&feature=PlayList&p=2164AF92BD61F315
The wind is the whisper of our mother the earth
The wind is the hand of our father the sky
The wind watches over our struggles and pleasures
The wind is the goddess who first learned to fly
The wind is the bearer of bad and good tidings
The weaver of darkness, the bringer of dawn
The wind brings the rain then builds us a rainbow
The wind is the singer who sang the first song.
The wind is the twister of anger and warning
The wind brings the fragrance of freshly mown hay
The wind is the racer and wild stallion running
and the sweet taste of love on a slow summer’s day.
The wind knows the songs of the cities and canyons
The thunder of mountain, the roar of the sea
The wind is the taker and giver of mornings.
The wind is the symbol of all that is free.
So welcome the wind and the wisdom she offers
Follow her summons when she calls again.
In your heart and your spirit let the breezes surround you
Lift up your voices and sing with the wind:
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
dee dee dee dee dee dee dee oooooooo
Much Love to All, Jane : ) xo
Really interesting to find out that Santiago was named after the old man in Hemingway’s book.
I thought he was named after the apostle due to the fact that the road to Santiago was a milestone in Paulo’s life.
Thank you for telling us.
Understanding this character was difficult for me the first time I read the book. I couln’t cope with his courage, determination and perseverance. Besides, he was so innocent at the same time. I was envious of him to a extent I refused to reread the book for some time.
However, when I took the veil off my heart I loved him. We all should be like Santiago if we’re decided to follow our dreams.
I specially love the part when he wakes up in the market place and DECIDES not to be a victim of a thief , but an adventurer in search of a treasure.
hola ahora estoy en españa y gracias a paulo conoci el camino de compostela ,jamas imagine que algun dia estaria en este pais y pieso hacer el peregrinaje no solo por paulo sino por mi y por todo lo que implica en mi vida de cambio constante y busqueda incansable , es la fuerza del universo que me trajo aqui y ahora aunque aveses desfallesco por extrañar a mi tierra se que este es mi nuevo destino y he de tomarlo con valor y alegria asi encontrare mi razon de existir..gracias paulo por compartir con nosotros tu experiencia …..katty
…(continued from the previous message)
Recently I’ve read “The Witch Of Portobello” and have to admit, I was flattered, as a Greek, by the use of the main character’s name, Athena, goddess of wisdom in the ancient Greek pantheon.
Moreover, the use of “Hagia Sofia” (=Holy Wisdom, in Greek)as a central axis in the story contributed further to my flattering, up tp a certain point, though. There is a moment in the book when you refer to “Hagia Sofia” as a mosque. I am sure you are aware that Hagia Sofia in Constantinople (Istanbul=is tin poli=towards the city) was a christian church and has been an ecumenical symbol of the Greek Orthodox tradition. Hence, I would expect you to, at least,have mentioned the century-long Christian nature of Hagia Sofia and then to its current (ab)use as a mosque or fashion show venue (by the Turkish governments).
My humble thanks for reading these lines.
You read the book and all you kept from it was your flattered ego of a Greek and the anger that the author didn’t support your nationalist view of Turks? wow, congratulations, you got the main idea.
Dear Amy, no reason to get..upset ;o)
Dear Argiri, things change, situations change , cities change, countries change, people change, we change..
Hagia Sofia now is a mosque..that doesn’t erase the fact that it was a christian church..that doesn’t erase the fact that it remains still a place of worship,either..whether it is used by Muslims or Christians, does it really matter? We are all people..
(I am also a Greek reader, so please don’t misjudge me)
Love and Graditude
Annie
Dear Mr Coelho,
my name’s Argyrios Z. and I’m 33 years old. I live in Greece and work as teacher of English.I’m a keen fan of your work and admirer of your resourceful ideas and skillful use of symbols in your writings.
Though Santiago obtains his treasure his content is only temporary. In the sequel Santiago looks for another treasure because people like him find it difficult to stay still and are not satisfied by the mundane things in life. What he will realize is that the true adventure is not the physical journey but the strength needed for the journey to stay in the present.
Santiago is the alchemist…
he embraces the world by trust and the courage to walk his legend.
By following the signs he listens to his heart which is the soul of the world.
He remembers that “all is one and one is all” and that there is a language without words.
His price is high, and out of his experiences he grows to his treasure.
In the beginning of his walk he is seeing a glimpse of the star and hears the story of the smaragd which shineing in the alchemist several times…
I’m not sure, for that i have to read the book again … did he paid 7 times a price….the gypsy woman, melchizedek, the one who wanted to travel with him to the pyramids, the money for the wind,the crystal shop merchant, fatima, and the men in the desert…
Maybe this can refer to the seven steps that has to be taken to find the smaragd, the treasure…inner purification.
I always asked myself why does he give his sheep away when he never may loose sight of his oil while he discovers the world?
So while the proces of purification is going on he transforms from a biological human being (I compare this also with the sheeps) into the elixir of life…the smaragd.
Is that the reason why he pays with his sheeps?
When he rises from below (digging into the earth, to above he purifies himself (getting liberated of death)to be the soul of the world by the treasure that he finds within.
Then he says, I come Fatima…
Santiago trusts in Maktub…
xxx
Hi Hildegarde! Enjoyed your thoughts, very much.
While reading the book first time around in 2003, I was thinking about your question: ” why does he give his sheep away when he never may loose sight of his oil while he discovers the world? ”
Perhaps, this oil represents Santiago’s personal legend. To explore the beautiful sights and the world around him, but remain alert; aware of his own dream so that he does not wander off the path too far or for too long.
Since Santiago’s destiny in life was not to be ‘a shepherd’, he let go when the time was right. I loved the sensitivity and Santiago learned a lot about understanding, from the sheep.
(I also talked to the sheep while living in Scotland. Locals thought that was quite funny. These sweet little lambs would actually gather in a semi-circle – I called it ‘choir practise’ and took a picture of our gathering one day!!)
Agreed, yes, Santiago trusts in Maktub.
Love to All, Jane : ) xo
Thank you dear to share your dance
even with the sweet little lambs…
Love
Hildegarde
xxx
Thank You : )
My English teacher propsed that the desert is your heart. I do not agree with this. It just doesn’t sit right in my mind. I feel like I’ve been going with my gut most of the time with this book, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and this makes my heart squeeze. The idea that my heart, Santiago’s heart, is a barren landscape with only random patches of nourished and healthy land disturbs me.
I think what Santiago has to separate are his heart and the desert; he must realize what distinguishes them from each other and then be able to blend them together again. His heart speaks to him along his journey, and is what allows him to commune with god and turn himself into a sandstorm. But this does not mean that they are one and the same. Like lead and gold, they may be made of the same essential ingredients (protons, electrons, etc.) but they are not interchangeable.
If we say then, that the desert is lead and the heart is gold, than it must be this transformation which alchemy speaks to. It is in the desert where Santiago learns to listen to his heart, which could arguably be the treasure that he finds in the end. It is in the desert where he finds love, the emotion most often associated with the heart (whether it is true or not is debatable). This is why the entire methodology of alchemy could be written on a single emerald; it is a basic human emotion. It is also undefinable, and often just beyond our reach, as is the practice of alchemy.
So I guess you are partially right mr. kasprzak; the desert is the heart in the sense that they are made of the same basic units, like lead and gold, and the practice of alchemy could arguably be separating the two, and finding the oasis in the middle of the desert.
Santiago is very lucky to find his way. we can’t walk if we don’t know where to start
What an eager, intelligent,
joyful & loving community*
Thank U all!
Yr welcome Fjell Flower Power*
Hehe…Fjell-flower-power* Den var fin! Takk <3
I love Santiago’s character. He’s such a smooth operator! coasting through life, facing the challenges, taking his moments of doubt or hesitation, but always picking up and moving on.
He instinctively knows when to act and when not to. And I love his courage. Especially when he is face to face with the Alchemist, (it’s so awesome that the horseman is the Alchemist and Santiago doesn’t know it right off). Out of respect for the man and concern for his own life, first time he meets the horseman, he hangs his head down and looks to the ground. In that moment, I love it when the boy speaks his mind about his instincts and the omens he is able to see, despite it being a language he is not very familiar with. He is so courageous and brave.
I love Santiago!
So true, Carolena! Santiago speaks his truth, and so unapologetically. He doesn’t make excuses and he doesn’t try to dilute it – he just says it the way that it is and prepares himself to take the consequences, knowing that he has played his part to the fullest. The outcome is up to God. Truly a brave-heart!
Carolena & Savita, me too… love him. The horseman must have been pretty intimidating, but it never occurs to the boy to flee. And the boy just stands up for who he is, calmly answering the questions of the Alchemist. He even has a sword to his forehead, when the Alchemist asks; ‘Why did you read the flight of the birds?’ Threats about death, doesn’t seem to worry the boy at all. He just was true to himself; ‘I read only what the birds wanted to tell me’ And, the Alchemist getting more agitated, ‘Who are you to change what Allah has willed?’, the boy still believed in himself, and doesn’t let someone with a higher position intimidate him. This dialogue between the Alchemist and Santiago, is one of the highlight of the book in my opinion, sooo exciting. We literally see an example of how the Alchemist (the Universe) tests the boy, and how the boy just as Carolena says, keeps his courage and as Savita say is a ‘brave-heart’.
It sure is one the highlights of the book! I so love this book. Every time I read it, I feel like I’m in the story!
what a genius novel!
Yes, I want to transform the story literally to real life, especially be there by a well or by the pyramids in Egypt. Fatim+Fatim=Fatima according to our dear Aditya. I wonder if Santiag+Santiag equals Santiago *giggles*
I notice Paulo’s comment to Savita, and fully support his take on this… to follow our dreams. I just have one hesitation. Could a biological parent leave his/her children to fulfill these dreams? Let me give one example. The wonderful philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) (who may I mention as an explanation that he grew up without his own mother), he is well known in educational circles for developing so called child-centered learning. The paradox is, he was with his Therese, they had 6 children… and they gave up all their newborns to a founding hospital for the sake of Therese’s
‘honor’. Sic! Years later, Rousseau made inquiries about the fate of his children, but no records could be found. This abandonment, of his own children, of course has been used against him by his critics.
Now, I know of MANY men, who doesn’t take responsibility for raising their own children, and I know a few women too. Of course, in our society if a woman leaves her own children, its a disgrace and a scandal, much more than if a man do the same.
My opinion is, any child in this universe, needs quality contact with their biological parents, and to let the children down on this fundamental need, is a grave abuse to the child. However, circumstances…so on, one has to understand and forgive.. but should one leave one’s children to follow one’s dreams?
The world wouldn’t have been the same if Rousseau had chosen to work his butt off to feed his 6 children, and had dropped all the philosophical work he did.
Dear Heart, I am reading your post and my heart went out to you, so I hope you don’t mind a reply; will keep it as brief as possible.
I am a mother of 3 natural children and 3 sponsored children (and their families), from other countries.
When my daughter, the youngest natural child, was 18 years of age, the world called, the signs had led me to make a change, and travel once again. Part of my dream is to see happy kids everywhere. I had places and people to visit; work to do in a different sort of way, apart from the traditional North American view of what a ‘normal’ family life ’should’ be.
My daughter took me to the airport on July 5, 1999 and said ‘Mommy, don’t look back!!’. This is what I refer to as unbridled love. Had I turned around to look back, I would have seen her tears, and lost my strength to move forward.
Since that date I have visited 10 countries and led a full, meaningful life. The connection with my children is strong as strong can be. We get together because we want to enjoy each other at least once every year for a month, and savor those adventures. We have respect and admiration for our respective paths, loving and supporting each other, even when others may be critical or judgmental.
So, in my case, being a woman, different has meant extraordinary fulfillment even beyond my wildest of dreams. It was and still is, children, that taught/teach me almost everything I need to know in life, and so I practise, and practise, and practise. There is still so much more to do and my heart is full of JOY. Being ‘different’ has been a blessing!! Much Love to You and All, Jane : ) xo
Dear Dances,
I admire your traveling, the best way to grow as human beings. You left when your youngest child was 18 years old, really… they were adults by then. And you have only left them physically, as you stay in touch. So, you are saying stay with your children till they can fly, then fly yourself!
Thanks for being ‘different’!
Heart
Thank you Heart, for encouragement and caring. And thank you for patience as I struggle to communicate with words sometimes : )
From a personal example in life – There was distress during my childhood, living with adults out of love with each other, and not wanting to be parents. How could this be turned into something positive? Well, by learning about love, making my own life better, hoping that life would be better for my children. I do not wish this same experience on anyone (it is my path), however, am thankful for the experience now and for the prairie to played in, which provided a connection to god and fed a heart full of Joy. So, this is how I learned about how important it is to be living while alive…doing what I love, and loving what I do. So it is not my place to advise anyone, only share as best I can, stressing the importance of following our hearts. God gave us free will and the power to love and what a gift that is, to me. : ) Thank you Heart, for this very interesting post!! Lots of Love to All, Jane : ) xo
Thank you too Jane …I love your nick dances…I’d like to dance a lot more than I do in my life.
Love,
Heart
While reading most of the post, I realize how meaningful and intense they feel. Reading could take you to a world of imagination and dreams, but to follow them and have the courage like Santiago is the big question. There are many places I would like to visit one day…I would like to follow my personal legend one day…
Dear Milagros,
Yes, dreaming is one thing. To find happiness, I believe we have to see that dream come through in real life. Start visit one of those places now, then next place tomorrow, then next place sometime before you die. Great adventures awaits!
Good luck,
Heart
Dear Heart,
I certainly don’t have any answers to any of this, but I so have my personal experience. My own daughter does not know her father; they have never met. This was his choice. He felt he was not prepared to be a parent. But, when she was born – when he made his choice not to be a part of her life – I made a choice of my own: I said, “If you don’t want to be a part of her life now, that is fine. I can do this on my own. But just know that this decision is final. Don’t show up years later, wanting to be a father, disrupting her life, because I won’t allow it. If you’re out, you’re out for good. The end.” I gave him six months after she was born to show up and begin taking part – I thought that was fair – but that was the cut-off point. Then I said, “Don’t ever show your face around us, so long as you live.”
Many people, over the years, have criticized me for being so adamant about this. Some have even blamed me, saying that I kept them apart, saying that if I had not been so strong in voicing my opinion, perhaps he would have come around in the end. But, at the same time, in these seven years, my phone has never rang, with him on the other end of the line, saying, “I want to see my daughter.” I’ve never received a single letter or email, enquiring about her. He’s never tried to contact me, never tried to find her or see her. This, in my opinion, is a good thing.
If someone does not feel prepared to be a parent, sometimes the best thing that they can do is get out of the way and let someone else take over who is prepared and even eager to look out for the well-being of this child. I think that more children suffer from being with parents who aren’t really there, parents who neglect them in various ways, than from being “abandoned” all together. If, for whatever reason, someone has a child and they aren’t ready to be a responsible and fully-present parent, then they just need to get out of the picture and let someone else raise that child, someone who IS ready to take on that responsibility. There are so many people out there, with so much love to give, who are more than eager to adopt a child and give them a good and loving home.
If, for whatever reason, Rousseau felt that he wasn’t ready or able to be a good parent, then he probably made the wisest and most responsible decision by giving these children up for adoption.
By the way, Heart, I know that you are in the field of education, and the comments that you make regarding the subject always interest me. I wonder, if you get the chance, if you would come and visit me on facebook or MySpace, as I would love to hear more of your opinions and experience in education, but, of course, in a private conversation.
Thanks so much!
Savita
Dear Savita!
From all your postings I often have thought to myself what a wonderful mother you are to your daughter. So much love and care. And really, my question in connection with Rousseau and Paulo, was..can one leave one’s child to follow one’s dream? (of course often the answer is probably to bring the darn child with you hehe). No, joking aside. The answer, I believe is as you say, each individual has to answer to himself/herself what to do, because each individual situation is so unique. However, my personal opinion is, there is a Universal law, that a child really needs contact with both biological parents if possible, or the child will grow up with HUGE hurts. I agree with you, there are HUGE hurts growing up with both biological parents too. And who knows the answer to good enough parenting, certainly not the experts!
I am VERY sorry your child’s father took such a irresponsible decision. No doubt, on the long run, it will be HIS loss! And your daughter is not the only child with a dead beat father. Working as home visitor to about fifty families in Arizona, I have met a lot of single parents, a lot of individuals who had VERY limited contact with biological parents, and children who grew up in foster families. They are of course in tears, and in rage about talking about it. My own sister is a single mom, and I remember her youngest son, my nephew would want to watch a video of his dad, ALL the time, to at least feel he was together with his dad in some way. It broke my heart Savita, to see him wanting his dad so much, a little toddler at the time.
From experience working in daycare, and what I have learned about separation anxiety, it is amazing what a photo of a person can mean, to calm that fear of being separated. When parents leave their children to go to work, and they cry their heads off, one can just show a photo of the parents, and the child stops crying. You have probably seen to, how much a photo can mean to a person where a close one has died, and at least the one left alone, has the photo as a consolation and memory.
Savita, Thelma got me on to MySpace, but I must admit I hardly know how or why to use it. If you search Heart, Arizona, you should be able to find me, and I will give it a try this week end if I can find you through there. All, I can say. I respect your choice about what you told the father of your daughter. Where I come from a child can legally decide about parents when they are around 10, 12 years I believe, and my opinion is, as she grows older I really would listen to her wishes? You can find a lot of research about foster children, children of divorced parents, separation child/parents, just by searching yourself. For the child’s identity, it often is good to know WHO your biological parents are (I have an uncle who never knew where he got his name from, as his mom didn’t want him to, and in respect of her, he never pursued it).. Anyway,, my dinner clock is beeping…I have to run and save the chicken here… Yes, if there is anything I can do to help…but Savita it’s all your own instinct. You are a smart lady…I trust your own decisions a 100%.
Love you,
Heart
You are so right about the power of photos, Heart, as well as many other things. But that is another story for another day. I’ll just say that the affect which photos have is not always a positive one. I framed two photos of my daughter’s father and put them in her room. She immediately started having vivid nightmares that he was trying to kill her, and consequently had to go through almost a year of therapy to rid herself of the hold which his negative energy seemed to have on her. She literally begged me to throw the photos away. I kept them, of course, because I thought she might still want them one day, but now they are well out of sight, in storage.
Thank you, Heart, for all of your insight!
Savita
Savita dearest,
Your experience with the photo of your daughter’s father is unlike any one I have heard of. Thank you for showing us, this possibility too, an example where the photo should be taken away. Thank you for LISTENING to what your daughter says, and for HELPING her so much you let her get therapy. It makes me think about the Native Americans, because I believe some of them refuse to have their photo’s taken, because it can get control of their soul. So, there is definitely different approaches. The Native Americans didn’t have a lot of split families, when their belief developed, as the tribe would stay together. Now, thinking of for instance in a case of having a child with a person who, in the most extreme case, has given himself to the devil, to promote evil. In a case like that, I’d cut contact with the father of my child in a heartbeat, and keep it that way as long as it was in my power. I will say a prayer to St. Michael for the two of you, yourself and your daughter, to be your Safeguard always.
God bless the two of you,
Heart
Dear Savita
I envy you for the great joy you have, for having a child. From your posts I see you are the best mother, fighting like a lioness for your daughter. About the man who dont want to have responsibility, is, in my opinion selfish and not mature. I love and do not leave alone an animal, so , if I see people leave their child for me all has no sense. They dont know what they lose.
Thank you, Alexandra!
Heart, how can you compare dogs with children? ;)
A child is made up of parts of the mother and the father, any one of them missing will definitely affect the child. How this absence, hole is manifested varies between every being.
Interesting post here.
Hi Lily,
I do? Well, now thinking about it, I believe my love for my two dogs is similar to what I feel for children. Is that bad? Sometimes I wish my dogs could tell me what they think, and I do realize they are different from Human beings, as we are created in the image of God. But to tell you the truth, I don’t think there is anything alive on this earth, loving me more than my to adorable dogs do, even though they cannot tell me so with so many words. Am I crazy?
Nice to meet you Lily! Yes, we have fun here!
Love,
Heart
Heart,
May be my mistake, I thought you were answering Savita’s post!
Nice to meet you too Heart, I’ve noticed you are a regular here, and no I do not think you are crazy!
Dogs are a lot like children.
love
Lily
Hi dear Heart… I feel sad someone think that in order to love children we dont have to love animals. God created them too, so they worthy our love and respect. If I said I would never leave my dog on street, or something, and others do that even with their kids, is for showing how bad behavior some parents have. Lily misunderstand things. In my country many kids are alone because their parents work abroad, and some times they suicide because they miss parents so much. Is because of that I said what I did. Kids need they parents.
Ok, take care, sorry if I write something wrong.
Have a wonderful time.
Love
Alexandra
Yr right on spot Lily and Alexandra, we should love every little sand corn God created, as it is an expression of the whole creation. Sand corns don’t like to be left alone either. We need to go and talk to them :)
I just love this whole conversation. Isn’t it funny how things can get so mixed up sometimes. And what were we talking about? – Santiago > following one’s dreams > leaving things behind to do so > the love of children > the love of dogs > sand corns! Here we are, right back where we started: with Santiago, in the desert, whispering to grain of sand, listening to the voice of the desert….
Peace,
Savita
I miss Santiago!
The wonderful thing about your Santiago is that everybody who reads your book have the feeling that it talks about him, her. I heard so many people, of different ages that Santiago is made upon their features…???
They feel that they are Santiago. This your great skill. You make them live the adventure and identify with the character.
True Alexandra,
Santiago is an individual and his Dream. I am Santiaga, in the same story, my story is Santiago’s story. I over read some posts about it being different for woman, females… This is not true, as I, despite being a female walked the same path as Santiago. It wasn’t easy, certainly not, but being a female certainly did not stop me.
Like Santiago, I had a dream, and had an itch to travel because I was looking for my own treasure. I knew it was out there, and so like Santiago, I took off traveling solo to distant lands. And like Santiago, I also, found my treasure literally, in my own back yard.
I also faced many many obstacles, disappointments, had to curve off of my road because the conditions were not quite right, like Santiago when he had to work at the Crystal shop, but like him, every time, I got back on my road!
Viva Santiago!
Great post Carolena!
Alexandra, my apologies, I just noticed that I called you Alexandria.
Viva Santiaga!!
Thank you Alexandria and Annie. :)
Santiago shows the behavior of men. He set off (because of his dream) but many other man stay at home and marry, but after a few year later they fall ill or their behavior have changed: they allow to decide instead of them another person (eg their wife ). Since I have read the book I realized that it is a common behavior (and women have a common behavior, too), it’s interest how could live their lives again (maybe on Santiago’s way).
Why the name of the boy is Santiago??????????????
When I was young, I read “The old man and the sea” (a great book). The first sentence is “The old man’s name was Santiago”. And then Hemingway never mention his name again.
I thought: this is great!
So when I wrote The Alch I paid a tribute to E. Hemingway. “The boy’s name was Santiago”. And I don’t mention his name again during the whole story
Ahhhhhhh, a question answered!! Santiago, in The Alchemist, seems to be the boy who is becoming, and the only way he is able to become his best self is through learning, experience, then practise. I love some of Hemmingway’s work too : )
Hello dancer,
I have not read that book by Hemmingway, but to me it was obvious that Santiago is the Alchemist, and even Melchizedek I saw the Alchemist in him too. The Englishman, bits and parts, as I would say he is more or I should say he represents more that which is acquired from outside, learned and the experience.
It stirs my interest, I will have to read ‘The Old Man and The Sea.’
Hi Carolena! WOW, I had the same impression as you!:
It is interesting to think about and acknowledge how many people, places, and things shaped Santiago’s life and became part of him.
The Old Man and The Sea is my son’s favorite story of all time, and The Alchemist is mine.
Love to All, Jane : ) xo
And I thought was because of your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella.
Till now, i was thinking that the name was due to your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (your first book) and that was the link between these 2 books…
So now, i have to save another information on my mind’s hard disc :)
Love and Graditude
Annie
Now, Im curious WHY you only mention the name Santiago once?
There is a Norwegian classic peasant novel by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, ‘A Happy Boy’, that opens almost like your first sentence. It goes like this, ‘His name was Øyvind, and he cried when he was born’. But this characters name is mentioned many times in the saga. So again, it makes me curious what intentions you behind not using his name more than once?
I answer that yesterday. It is because of “The old man and the sea”. “The old man’s name was Santiago”. Check my post yst
We know that now…Big surprise, but I knew you love Hemingways works.
Hrm. Perhaps I don’t understand your answer, or you don’t understand my question. Never mind. I’ll let it go. Thanks anyway.
Heart, I have a theory, ok look at it this way, Santiago journeys, and along the way the people he meets are the people he becomes. Experience changes people, he becomes those people he meets until he gets to the Alchemist. So all of the characters are Santiago at different stages of his life. Then he comes back to where he started, he makes the full circle back to his dream.
He starts off as Santiago looking for his treasure, and comes back an old man when he finds it.
Am I wrong Paulo?
Ohh, I agree till the point of the old man.
Carolena, I love your reflections. Yes, I hear what Paulo says. He chose the name to pay tribute to Hemingway. But that doesn’t explain why he only mention the name once. I was thinking if it had to do with, something I don’t know where I have it from, but don’t Jewish have a rule never to mention the name of God? One shouldn’t take God’s name in vain. I was just wondering if it had to do with a respect for the character of some sort?
Then, here is your wonderful line of thoughts. I agree so much, the real Alchemist, is Santiago, so his name in a way changes at the different stages of his life. Now I hope Paulo will Elaborate. Hehe.
Your theory is great dear Carolina, however I dont agree ! MOstly i dnt agree with the people becoming those they meet..Santiago doesnt become the people he meets. He is who he is..However, he is changing yes, he is becoming more and more who he is with the help of those he meets..He is reflecting himself to others, not the other way round! Certainly those we meet affect us, and they might trigger characteristics or behaviours we have never thought of, so we explore more and more ourselves..
Hi Heart,
Yes, I agree with what you are saying. It was my poor use of words. I did not mean he becomes them. I meant being changed by experience and like you say, getting closer to becoming who he really is, The Alchemist.
Thanks for that Annie!
love!
Welcome Carolena!
Viva Santiaga!! (i love that!)
Love to you
Annie
Dearest Heart, dont get confused, the answer is simple
Paulo said : “I read “The old man and the sea” (a great book). The first sentence is “The old man’s name was Santiago”. And then Hemingway never mention his name again.
I thought: this is great!”
So he never mentions Santiago either ..just once
Hi Annie,
So the simple answer is; Paulo only mentions the name Santiago once, because Hemingway only mentioned it once. Ha! I should have made an online search about why Hemingway only mention it once?…the time is limited, but it makes me wonder. Must be a literary trick of some sort?
Yes, he liked the idea of mentioning the name once, so he adopted this idea to his book :) I dont know why Hemingway mentioned it once..maybe because we are all like him..so the name doesnt really matter..and the sea is the Life..and Life is a continious stuggle..we are all like boats sailing in the vastness of the sea, always sailing between Heaven and Hell..
The literary “trick,” Heart, is called “tagging.” At least, if my memory serves me correctly, that is the proper term for it: when an author introduces a character and thereafter doesn’t use the name but only refers to the character by some peculiar characteristic or “tag.” For example, “The woman with the purple handbag” or “the boy with the gimp.” This is particularly useful when there are a lot of characters or when many are introduced all at once, because it is hard for the reader to memorize and keep up with all those names. So, in Paulo’s book, we have these “tags”: “the boy,” “the merchant,” “the Englishman,” etc. Much easier than dealing with a list of names, especially names from languages that might not be familiar to all of us.
This is particularly brilliant, I think, on Paulo’s part, because he even has Santiago make a mental comment on this subject (pg. 16 in my copy). The boy picks up his book to read, “And the names of the people involved were very difficult to pronounce. If he ever wrote a book, he thought, he would present one person at a time, so that the reader wouldn’t have to worry about memorizing a lot of names.” This is what Paulo does for us in The Alchemist – he introduces one character at a time, and then gives us these tags in the place of names, which for many of us, would surely be hard to pronounce or remember.
Thanks Paulo! Brilliant!
Savita
wow :)
We are so much in love with this young shepherd boy, Santiago. Previously, I had read Ernest Hemingway’s; The Old Man and the Sea, but didn’t notice that the aging fisherman in this novel, was named Santiago. Till now, I didn’t know he was your inspiration for this wonderful main character in the Alchemist. In fact, I had not heard the name Santiago at all before I read your fable, and now, doing the workshop, made a search to see where the name comes from. The name Santiago means Saint James. So, already we know there is another dimension to the character, than the mere shepherd boy. When you say; ‘I was caught up in a storm like the one threatening to break at any moment over the city of Rio de Janeiro’, in the process of getting started with the novel, it’s a big surprise to me, because Santiago is the complete opposite to such a state of mind, he is this calm, grounded, peaceful person. Also you talk about; ‘ lively sounds of families getting ready to have supper’ surrounding you where you started out writing this wonderful story, which too is a contrast to Santiago’s life, a life in solitude with his sheep, his books, his dream and then quite alone traveling. Santiago isn’t a typical family man, who comes home for supper in the evening.
Why do we love this character, Santiago, so much? You say;’…the story of the shepherd I had always been, even though I had never tended sheep, only dreams’. Personally, as a girl, I literally went with my granddad during the summer months, to look after the sheep, and therefore the opening chapter, with Santiago’s time as a shepherd, brings back very fond memories of a paradise like childhood. We would bring buckets of potato peelings for the sheep a couple of times a week, and my grand dad would call the sheep from high up in the mountains, and as we climbed up there, the sheep flock came running down towards us with their bells waiving around the neck. ‘Libbe, libbe, libbe’, my granddad would call. And they would answer with their; ‘Baa’. He would rub their ears, talk a bit to them, and make sure they were all sound and well, before we returned back to the farm. To me it was a sign, during the funeral ceremony, when my beloved granddad was being buried, and a flock of sheep, loudly ‘disturbed’ the priest, with their intense ‘Baa-ing’. It was as if they complained about having to part with their lovely shepherd.
You also say; ‘And thus the shepherd met the king and found the courage to go forward’. Let me connect to the Shepherd in religious meaning. As a symbol the shepherd has had a spiritual meaning for instance as here from the Old Testament;
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
(Psalm 22, 23)
Also the New Testament uses the shepherd as one of the symbols for Jesus; ‘The lamb is their king who leads them to the source of the water of life’. (Rev 7:17). In The Alchemist the shepherd boy has an added meaning. Here he becomes an alchemist who tend dreams, who follows the signs of his dreams and finds the treasure; ‘a chest of Spanish gold coins…precious stones, gold masks adorned with red and white feathers, and stone statues embedded with jewels’. He so to speak finds paradise on earth, slowly, steadily coming back to his desert woman who is waiting in the oasis. Could it be several women?
Heart,
Interesting, and I, when I heard about this workshop and came to the blog, I wondered why Paulo didn’t make a section for the sheep. Would have been interesting to read about no?
You sound like a great animistic soul dear Nguyet. Here is a poem for silly animistics; The Grasshopper’s grief.
A grasshopper sat on a flagstone and wept
with a sorrow that few surpass.
He had painfully mastered his letters, and leapt
to a place where he knew an inscription was kept
and of course it said;
KEEP OFF THE GRASS.
(Piet Hein)
Santiagos sheep could understand when he read to them, right!
Before I read your post, Nguyet, I was about to say the same thing. It would be nice to have a category for the sheep, because, to me, they are a character too.
Just a couple of days ago, I started rereading The Alchemist (I’m not finished yet.) The first thing that struck me was the relationship that Santiago has with his sheep. I thought, That is me and my dogs! As Alexandra says, maybe everyone who reads the book sees themselves reflected in Santiago. For me, this refection appeared when I read of Santiago’s deep connection with his sheep.
I have 11 dogs. (At times, I have had more in my care, as many as 21, but right now just 11.) They are a “pack” in a sense, but each is unique, and each has come to me with his or her own specific history of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Each and every one of them is “messed up” in some way. One thinks that I am her mother. She was only three weeks old when her owner brought her to me; her mother had been killed by a car. Every time I am out of her sight, she panics. Another was found on the side of a freeway, likely abandoned because he has a genetic skin disorder that requires him to have expensive medications and special food for the rest of his life. Yet another is both completely blind and deaf, born that way. On top of that, he is a bit like an autistic child – he doesn’t really “connect” with other dogs or human beings and prefers not to be touched at all. The only thing that he responds to is water; I spend a great deal of time each day playing with him with the water hose. The list goes on and on. As I say, they are all so “messed up,” and yet I love them, each and every one.
Furthermore, I feel this deep connection with them that I simply do not feel with human beings – something that transcends language. They know me, and I know them, and we don’t need words to communicate or to feel that we are at-one. In a sense, I am their shepherd. I care for them the best that I can, and in return, they give me this most amazing unconditional love. They accept me just as I am. Even if I am important to no one in the world, I am everything to them.
We have developed this relationship, and now I feel deeply responsible for them, not just in the present, but responsible for their continued well-being. They trust me, just as Santiago’s sheep trust him. They do not know what is in my mind. The “evil” plot that I am planning – to leave them behind and move on. I am planning to move to the city, and will be able to take with me only four. Even their lives will be changed forever, because they will no longer have endless fields and forests in which to roam. There will be a small yard, the dog park, walks on a leash – that’s it. The others? I have already found homes for some. The rest I’m working on still. What do you do with a dog that can neither see nor hear? No one wants him.
And even if I do find good homes for them all, I still worry. I worry that I will be like Santiago: getting rid of my sheep so that I can go out on this big adventure searching for my treasure, only to realize that I have given up my real treasure, which is my sheep – my dogs. As I say, I haven’t finished rereading the book, and I have very poor memory when it comes to literature, but it seems that I remember the ending being something like this: Santiago’s real treasure is his sheep, and the life he left behind in the fields of Andalusia.
O, I hope not!
Savita,
Here you are faced with a dilemma Santiago faced many times. Do you stay or do you go? Both cases, you are taking a risk.
My best advice to you: Pay The Price of your Dreams!
Much love,
Paulo
Thank you!
The adventures of Santiago is almost literally my own life, so I feel blessed, in the middle of a dream even now, this moment, writing about it!! Something absolutely so beautiful there are not even words! My earliest memories are of wanting to go to Africa, and everyone that knew me, knew that. And at last, after years of dreaming, actually went to spend a few months there (but sadly, did not get to see the pyramids, perhaps another adventure one day!!). My whole life has been about exploring, adventure, giving up everything material twice, was robbed..etc.. When first reading The Alchemist I had not yet been to Africa. It was finally, not quite 18 months afterwards, that I was enroute. Reading about Santiago was like a refreshing breath of life to inspire me to on, on my path. Who would have even thought that one day this Workshop would exist? My heart is full of JOY. Thank you Paulo : ) Love to All xo
Indeed, Dances! It’s great to have this forum, and to be able to interact with Paulo Coelho himself! An author lionized beyond measure actually reaching out to his readers, spending time to read the interactions in this workshop and actually share his thoughts just he’s like one of us. Hahaha… I’m just brimming with gladness. I’ve just gotten here and I’m beyond myself with excitement. Just when I felt so jaded with the internet, I stumbled into this, and it’s like “hey, I’d like to spend time with this people here.” And Paulo, I so love it that naming the boy Santiago is your way of giving tribute to Hemingway. As a student of literature, we were forced to plow through his works (but we love him, actually). But hearing it from you, it made you real. Lol. Forgive me, I’m just really excited and so happy to be here. I love the people here, I love it here.
Santiago is the character which is there in me , you and all of us
we all are Santiago , that’s why this character more closer to us
draga paulo…santiago este portretul omului de astazi care cauta indeplinirea unui vis?dar nu inteleg un lucru:de ce-l ajuta alchimistul si regele..de ce au incredere in acest ciobanas?aceasta poveste este oare bazata pe un fapt real..?aceasta carte este o transformare a unor evenimente din viata dumneavoastra?
Desigur draga… Tu nu ai auzit de pelerinajul la Santiago de Compostella? “Alchimistul” este o metafora a viatii autorul.
nu am auzit inca de pelerinaj..am patruns in lumea aceasta de cateva luni.
Dear Neela and Hear,
the fact of returning to where we come from and finally being able to appreciate what we have gives us two clues :
- that we need to part ourselves from what we know
- but that we need to look under a new light what we hold as obvious.
Much love
Paulo
Dear Paulo,
I could not agree more with what you are saying.
I am finding that everyday. It is quite an experience.
Thank you for that.
allez, un petit beijo.
Marie-Christine
Neela. And just as beautiful, when Santiago talks to his sheep and takes for granted that they understand what he says.
Yes heart! I remember I sat in a busstation and cried reading that part. In Mr Coelho’s books there are always parts when he talks directly to the universe and life and he touches people liken no other. Me and my sisters use to call these moments like an spiritual orgasm.
Dearest Paulo,
Santiago was the best student The Alchemist could have in the ‘fable’.
I still think because he was male he could go anywhere without that need to watch out like we women must.
Love,
Sheela.
Hi Sheela!
I’m very curious about your comment. Are you implying that if Santiago was actually “Santiaga” (for instance), the story couldn’t/wouldn’t have unfolded in the same manner? Interesting…
Hi both Sheela and Biombo….This is indeed an interesting point of view. I think there are of course a lot of dangers out there, but women make journeys alone, live alone and learn to survive the dangers. We cannot stop the madman whatever sex we are but I think when you believe in yourself you can overcome obstacles….Just a few thoughts…..with love to you both…Angela
Hi Angela,
Yes, there are women who travel alone too.And can fend for themselves.
I had occasion to travel alone after 3 years,this in Feb -I did it to prove to myself that I could do that again. It turned out to be quite a journey.Realised I can take risks again.
Love,
Sheela
i m with Angela M.C. D’Alton
its whatever sex we are …
moral of story believe in yourself and keep u r all sense open while living in the world .. and try to under stand owmens
[:)]
Hi Biombo,
Thanks for your comment and question. Well, since I yearn to travel so much again-have been around with family and alone too- but travel as in an adventure like Santiago- sleep under the stars, with sheep for company(you know what I mean) women do have limitations.I see that so clearly in my country and it may be true in other countries as well.
I was led to read the Alchemist the third time this afternoon and got hold of my brother’s laptop so here I am. I guess I’ll quote from the Amazing book it is (finally found the page I marked-I have it in front of me now)-
Santiago: on page27: The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind,and saw that he could have the same freedom.
Does that line ’speak’ to you?
Perhaps you can answer that question alone. What gender and journeys may mean to us individually…
Paulo did chose Brida ,a woman and Maria in Eleven Minutes and the woman in The Zahir who leaves the writer. Each was on their own quest for different reasons.Perhaps dearest Paulo can answer this far better than I.
Again thank you for bringing this up.It is interesting…
Love,
Sheela.
Things are not same for men and women, agrreed, the jouney paths, modes, maybe diffrent but essential is the crux, the journey. of course story line would have been diffrent had it been santiaga ( my views ) for one fatima would have been fatim !!
and yogesh what did u say, try to unedrstand women ! that is impossible, omens may be.
love
aditya
Oh, I think we can do it if we want to, Sheila. I did. Once, I set off for the jungles of Mexico alone, and I didn’t even know a word of Spanish. (I learned along the way; I was in Mexico for a year.) Many people warned me, “Be careful! You’ll get killed – or worse!” The thing is that I took nothing with me that was of any value whatsoever. I went around dressed like a peasant, not dripping with jewels. And, above all, I trusted implicitly in the goodness of the common people. I specifically avoided places that were touristy, because these are always seething with thieves and the like. I got as far off the beaten path as I could, always travelled third-class (which meant riding in the back of buses, sitting on top of chicken crates and boxes of coconuts), and spent as much time as I could with the common people of the small villages, not tourists. In fact, in many of the places I visited, there were no other tourists, and no tourist facilities. I just trusted that, wherever I went, I would find someone who was amiable enough to offer me food and a bed. Many times I have slept out in the wide open, under the stars, just hanging my hammock between two trees, especially if I arrived by bus in the middle of the night, when the whole village was already asleep. The funny thing is – it worked! I wasn’t raped, I wasn’t murdered, no one stoled anything from me, no one tried to molest me (well, maybe once, but I managed to get away, and afterward felt all the stronger for the experience). For the most part, people were enormously kind and helpful wherever I went.
So, my conclusion from this experience is that these limitations are primarily in our own heads. We are conditioned to think that “it is not safe for a woman to travel or set out on an adventure alone.” Granted, there are some places where, due to the culture or laws, this truly is not possible, but there are still so many countries wherein a woman can easily travel alone with no problem at all. If this is what you dream of doing, let no one stop you! Just go!
A wonderful post Savita.I agree with you 200%. I have also similar journeys made alone, without fear, but with need to go, explore, discover…with love Angela
I as well agree! I’ve packed up a few times and taken off to distant unfamiliar lands to explore and discover. And although there is that presence of fear when undertaking something new, but for me to have let the fear stop me was crazier than my need to go on my journeys.
There is nothing to fear but fear itself’…
Thanks Savita. Reading this post makes me want to pack up a little sac and take off on a journey again!
When I was reading the Alchemist I related to Santiago and also wanted to be like him. He talked to his parents about what he wanted to do in life and then took the step to make it happen. From that point on in the story I read the pages so fast and saw so many pictures in my head. The character, Santiago, made me feel what I wanted to do was possible.
nancy,
your last line here has brought my attention to one of the quotes i have in my workplace, actually i have many pasted here and there, one is my original one i.e. i had not heard it when i suddenly wrote it ” What is the fun in doing something, if i alreday know that it’s possible ” for me fun is when i don’t know whether its’ possible or not, others may or may not have done it, but when i am doing it i don’t know, it may happen may not happen, that uncertainity gives the fun, the tesnsion, and the release.
love’
aditya
Santiago being a shepherd boy is symbolic of a person that is in constant travel. He must also take a journey in order to find his personal legend and follow his dreams. My question is: Does one have to travel outside of their realm in order to follow their dreams? Can someone find themselves and not ever travel?
Dear Biombo,
it is possible to travel without necessarily moving. For most of my youth, books were for me my passport to far away places. Of course, after reading I felt more then ever the need to physically travel.
Much love
Paulo
Dear Paulo, Santiago made a journey to the Pyramids to find his treasure, my question is, we know you traveled the road to Santiago de Compostella, but had you actually made a journey through the African deserts before you wrote the Alchemist?
Also, Santiago goes after a treasure in the pyramids, when he finds his treasure, it is basically money. Is money the treasure you had in mind when you started to write the story? Or is the treasure symbolic of a Personal Legend, and money can equal in your case, becoming a writer?
Love
Anna Marie
my take ‘ yes it is possible ” what does travel do to you, it makes you more alert, more alive, because things are not routine, if one can maintain child like curiosity, one can travel without moving.
love
aditya
Hi Biombo,
I remember when I was young I had penpals all over the world (Denmark, England, USA, Spain, Africa,etc). It was for me a form of travelling “without travelling”…and dreaming..:)
Love,
Marie-Christine
What I loved most about Santiago was his willingness to adapt and move forward. When he was left empty handed in the city, his money from the sale of his beloved sheep stolen, he spent a few moments in despair, bewildered about what to do next, and then he seemed to make a conscious choice to not let the bad circumstance own him. He chose to look at the world in a different light and keep going…no self pity, no sense of entitlement, no expectation that someone would save him from himself…He chose his attitude, opened his mind a heart, and put one foot in front of the other. In seeking employment from the Crystal Merchant he showed initiative by demonstrating first how he could be useful, before being granted the job. In recognizing how tragic it was that the Crystal Merchant was likely never to go to Mecca, there was no sense of judgment for the choice he made, just an understanding that it was not going to be Santiago’s choice to do the same. I truly admire this young protagonist who came of age with every experience he faced. I ask my students to imagine themselves in his situations and examine what they would do given the same choices. After much discussion, they often come to admire him, too.
The one thing I wonder about Santiago, at the end of the text once he has come full circle and finds his treasure where he began, what does he do next? Does he return to Fatima for certain and live at the Oasis? Does he become like the Alchemist and help others achieve their Personal Legend? Does he discover that there is more to his Personal Legend than just the treasure he sought and continue his growth? As much as I know that a character is just on the page, Santiago reads like a real young man to me. The same way I often wonder where my students end up 5 or 10 years after they leave my classroom, I wonder where Santiago’s life led him, too…..
~Melyssa
I think the story ends in this manner, so that every person who has finished the book can fill in the blank for themselves as to how Santiago’s fulfills his destiny. I am also a teacher and wonder how my students end up years later and if I had a positive or negative impact on their lives..hopefully a positive!
Dear Melyssa,
not even I can say what Santiago would do next. I have a hint that he will meet Fatima again – because she is calling him despite the immensity of the desert.
But from then onwards, I prefer to leave it to the reader. It’s actually the moment when the reader makes this choice also.
Much love
Paulo
HI Teachers !
must express my appreciation for all the teachers who so pateintly, taught us through primary school. most tecahers i met were kind to me, as they must be to every child. In a more evolved society, teachers, specially primary tecahers would be more valued and respected than say collage teachers.
love
aditya
Dear aditya,
I completely agree with you!
x Monika
Bom!!! O Allquimista foi um dos melhores livros que encontrei do Paulo Coelho… Nele pude perceber a força de um sonho verdadeiro, uma conquista fabulosa para quem quer que seja e que corra realmente atras de seus sonhos!!!!
acredite e serás eternamente grato a você e suas oportunidades da vida…
Essa obra de muitas que já li do mesmo me trouxe paz, alento, momentos de choro e também me mostrou momentos de risos… histórias idealizadoras….
comecei a lê os livros dele aos 14 ano e hoje tenho 18 e não me arrependo de maneira alguma de escolher Paulo Coelho e Saint Exupéry como os melhores autores do mundo!!!
I loved Santiago too. I loved his relationship with the Crystal Shop Merchant. Santiago, I think is everyman.
with love
Santiago, I just love this boy. With his bravery, love, the struggle between choices…