The Alchemist

Thoughts

     The books also talked about the connection of everything in this universe. We are all connected. We are all one. The universal soul talks to us by way of our intuitions. We should always remember that what we desire to have and the desires of the universe and the force that bind them is always positive. Like what the book says. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

   The book teaches the very basic thing to be always optimistic. The book looks into the mysteries and realities of our life, which we never pause to ponder. Like the alchemist who can turn an ordinary rock into a gold, if we follow our own calling, we can also turn our ordinary lives into something unimaginable.

Insights

  The first lesson that I learned was that dreams don't go anywhere unless one pursues them.  Santiago could have let his dream die, but instead he persevered and took action to try and the treasure.

     The second lesson that I learned was that change is good.  The merchant never could bring himself to travel or accomplish more because he was afraid of change.  It is through embracing  change that we become who we are and shape our destiny.

     The last lesson that I identified is that the journey itself is the prize.  Life is a journey.  Santiago never found his physical treasure but he gained insight, and wisdom, a new love, and self-satisfaction through his journey.  It led him back home but he had fulfilled his dream through his journey.  He had met people and seen things that he would never have seen if he stayed home watching the sheep.

Symbolism 

     There is Santiago's sheep. They represent Santiago's blindness to his own destiny, his own quest. Like the sheep he mindlessly does the same thing everyday.

     There is of course Alchemy. The ability to turn base lead into gold. The symbolism comes in when Santiago follows his quest and learns he can turn (spiritually) what he already has into something beyond gold.