The document provides a detailed book review of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It summarizes the key details of the novel including the main characters Santiago and the Alchemist, as well as the themes of pursuing personal legends and the symbolic importance of the desert journey. The review also analyzes archetypal symbols in the novel like alchemy, the desert, and treasures. Overall, the review comprehensively summarizes the influential 1988 novel The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho.
1. A Book Review
W o r l d L i t e r a t u r e
I V – B S P T
O r d i n a d o , F . A . M a r t i n e z , Z . E .
2. W e w i l l b e d i s c u s s i n g a b o u t
o n e o f t h e m o s t i n f l u e n t i a l
b o o k s o f a l l t i m e s . C a n y o u
g u e s s w h a t b o o k i t i s ?
L e t u s s e e i f y o u c a n g u e s s
i t u s i n g 4 P i c s 1 W o r d
17. CHARACTERS
Gypsy
An old
women living
in Tarifa who
interprets
dreams.
Camel Driver
A friendly
former orchard
owner and
devout Muslim
The Tribal Chieftain
of Al-Fayoum
A strict and ruthless
tribal chieftain who
lives in luxury.
20. SUMMARY
Santiago is a shepherd
who journey
everywhere with his
sheep. One day he had
a dream about
treasures in the
pyramids in the desert.
So he sell his sheep
and journey to the
desert.
21. SUMMARY
Upon his journey,
he was robbed so
he work under a
crystal merchant.
After saving an
amount of money,
he join a caravan
which will travel
across the Sahara
desert.
22. SUMMARY
In the journey, he
met an Englishman
who wants to be an
alchemist. The
caravan stops on an
Oasis because there
is tribal war further
beyond the desert.
There, he met
Fatima, the girl he
loved.
23. SUMMARY
In the oasis, he also met the 200-
years-old alchemist. Then when they
taught that it is safe to travel, they go
along their journey to the pyramids.
But they were captured by the
tribesmen.
24. SUMMARY
To be fled by the
enemy, Santiago
proved that he was
powerful by morphing
into wind. After their
escape, they go
separate ways.
Santiago go on to the
pyramids.
25. SUMMARY
In the pyramids,
Santiago found
nothing. He met
someone who
dreamed about a
treasure in a ruined
church. Then
Santiago realized
that his treasure is
in Spain. So he went
back and found his
treasure.
27. Santiago’s sheep symbolize the sort of
existence lived by those who are
completely blind to their Personal
Legends.
Alchemy, in which a base metal is transformed
into a more valuable metal like gold, functions
as the dominant symbol in The Alchemist and
represents Santiago’s journey to achieve his
Personal Legend.
The desert, with its harsh conditions and tribal wars,
symbolizes the serious difficulties that await anyone in
pursuit of their Personal Legend, but it also serves as an
important teacher to Santiago during his journey to the
pyramids.
28. Crystal Glassware: Fragility and clarity are
the characteristics represented by the crystal
merchant's crystal glassware.
Urim and Thummim: These stones stand
for the characters' needs to respond to
omens, which are essential motivating
factors.
Sycamore Tree: This tree represents
Egypt, the place where sycamores
come from.
29. Oasis: The oasis symbolizes life,
love, and domesticity.
The pyramids represent the
ancient and inscrutable.
Thieves represent everyone who tries to find a shortcut
to his or her Personal Legend; the journey is necessary,
according to The Alchemist.
Water: Life is synonymous with water in
the novel, and perhaps for love too.
30. End.
Thank You!
S O U R C E S :
• C o e l h o , P . ( 1 9 9 8 ) . T h e a l c h e m i s t . S a n F r a n c i s c o :
H a r p e r S a n F r a n c i s c o .
• S p a r k N o t e s E d i t o r s . ( 2 0 1 0 ) . S p a r k N o t e o n T h e
A l c h e m i s t . R e t r i e v e d D e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 4 , f r o m
h t t p : / / w w w . s p a r k n o t e s . c o m / l i t / t h e - a l c h e m i s t /
• P a u l o C o e l h o . ( 2 0 1 5 ) . T h e B i o g r a p h y . c o m w e b s i t e .
R e t r i e v e d 1 0 : 4 5 , J a n 0 4 , 2 0 1 5 ,
f r o m h t t p : / / w w w . b i o g r a p h y . c o m / p e o p l e / p a u l o -
c o e l h o - 5 5 2 4
• S e x t o n , A d a m . C l i f f s N o t e s o n T h e A l c h e m i s t . 0 4
J a n 2 0 1 5