The Alchemist is narrated from a third-person omniscient point of view. The unknown narrator of The Alchemist tells the story of the shepherd boy Santiago, his journey, and the individuals he meets along the way. Although focused on Santiago, the third-person point of view reveals many of the thoughts, feelings, and actual words of other characters, particularly Melchizedek, the crystal merchant, as well as the Englishman and the alchemist.
Tense
The Alchemist is told in the past tense.
About the Title
The title refers to the ancient alchemist Santiago meets in the desert oasis of Al-Fayoum. It also references the practice of alchemy, a form of science from the medieval period that involved turning a base metal to gold and finding an elixir of life that could cure all ailments.
This study guide and infographic for Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs.
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