The Alchemist
(Paulo Coelho)

The Personal Legend

In The Alchemist, Santiago sets out to achieve his Personal Legend, or his destiny. An old king named Melchizedek explains to Santiago that to realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation. Everything on earth has its own destiny. A personal legend can also be described as the thing that a person is meant to accomplish. Coelho’s emphasis on the personal legend throughout the entire novel demonstrates the significance of going after your dreams and following what your heart says is the right path for you rather than what is easy or comfortable.

Universal Language

When Santiago arrives in Tangier, he communicates with a candy seller in the marketplace. Even though the candy seller speaks Arabic and Santiago speaks Spanish, Santiago finds that the two are still able to get their messages across. From this, he learns that there must be a language that is not dependent on verbal words. Rather, people can understand each other by examining their respective hearts and desires and learning to listen for other kinds of communication.

The Soul of the World

The soul of the world is a somewhat ambiguous concept that is referenced throughout the novel. The old king Santiago meets tells him that the soul of the world is nourished by people’s happiness but also by unhappiness, jealousy, and greed. The Englishman explains to Santiago that, in alchemy, the soul of the world is the principle that governs all things. As Santiago continues his journey he becomes more in tune with the soul of the world and connects with his environment and the universe in order to achieve his personal legend.

The Secret to Happiness

The idea of happiness is a theme in The Alchemist that is tied to the idea of a personal legend. In general, most people attain happiness when they achieve the thing they want most out of life. However throughout his journeys Santiago learns different ways in which people achieve happiness. The crystal merchant, for example, is happy dreaming his dreams but doesn’t want to fulfill them. In the desert, the camel driver of the caravan tells Santiago that, for him, the secret to happiness is not focusing on the future or past but living only in the present. Santiago learns that happiness is complicated and multifaceted but that it is achievable through faith in your destiny and purpose.

Decisions

In his search for treasure, Santiago is faced with many weighty and life-altering choices, such as deciding whether or not to sell his sheep and travel to Africa in pursuit of his dream. The old king gives Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummim, to guide him in his decision-making and in reading omens. Urim represent ‘yes’ and Thummim represents ‘no.’ Despite giving this gift, Melchizedek encourages Santiago to make his own decisions whenever possible, stressing the importance of independence. You cannot achieve your personal legend unless you are doing it for your reasons alone.

Religion

Religion serves as a backdrop for the entire novel, and many of Santiago’s experiences can be considered allegorical. The Bible is referenced at several points throughout the novel, from the conversation with Melchizedek to the story of Joseph and his dreams to the interactions with the Coptic monk at the monastery. All of the Arabs Santiago meets in the desert also express a strong faith in Allah and destiny. In the end, Santiago finds his treasure in the exact place he first dreamed of it, under a large sycamore tree in an abandoned church. Santiago’s journey to achieve his destiny shows that religion can take many forms, but it is necessary to trust in your sense of purpose and connection to a higher power.

Travel/Adventure

Santiago originally sets out in search of treasure, but as he continues his journey it becomes clear that part of his Personal Legend is to explore new parts of the world and see things he has never seen before. The crystal merchant tells Santiago that he is a person who wants to reach his dreams while some people just want to dream them. Santiago learns that a wandering life can be both enriching and isolating. While he does not regret any of the choices he makes, he learns that travelers always seem to be missing the people they leave behind in various places. Still, there is nothing more fulfilling than continually learning and experiencing firsthand what the world has to offer.

Maktub

The crystal merchant introduces Santiago to the word maktub, an Arabic term that is difficult to describe but translate roughly to ‘it is written.’ Essentially, maktub expresses the idea of destiny and conveys that something is meant to be. Destiny is extremely beneficial to Santiago, as is the idea of omens. When something goes wrong or Santiago’s plans change, he considers it maktub.

Love

When Santiago first sees Fatima it feels as if the soul of the world is pulsing through him. Such is the intensity of falling in love with your soul mate. Once Santiago meets Fatima his whole world changes. He says that she is more pertinent to him than any other treasure he could find. Still, Fatima encourages Santiago to leave her in order to continue with his journey. She explains to Santiago that love does not need to possessive and that it should never keep you from accomplishing what you are meant to accomplish.

The Principle of Favorability

Also known as beginner’s luck, the principle of favorability is the idea that when you want something bad enough, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it. The old king introduces this idea to Santiago as he begins his journey. Essentially, the principle of favorability expresses the concept that luck is on the side of those who want it the most; if you do everything in your power to achieve your destiny, the world will help you, as well.