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The Alchemist | Study Guide

Paulo Coelho

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Course Hero. "The Alchemist Study Guide." Course Hero. 4 Oct. 2016. Web. 26 Sep. 2023. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Alchemist/>.

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Course Hero. (2016, October 4). The Alchemist Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved September 26, 2023, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Alchemist/

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Course Hero. "The Alchemist Study Guide." October 4, 2016. Accessed September 26, 2023. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Alchemist/.

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Course Hero, "The Alchemist Study Guide," October 4, 2016, accessed September 26, 2023, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Alchemist/.

The Alchemist | Infographic

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Check out this Infographic to learn more about Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. Study visually with character maps, plot summaries, helpful context, and more.

the-alchemist-paulo-coelhoMelchizedek, Part 1hen you want something, all the universeconspires in helping you to achieve it.ANDALUSIASTARTTARIFATANGIERAL-FAYOUM OASISGREAT PYRAMIDSOF GIZAThe Alchemistby the NumbersDifferent language editions Coelho signed in one sitting, a Guinness World Record>50Copies of The Alchemist sold~65MWeeks it tookCoelho to writeThe Alchemist2Weeks on theNew York Times best-seller list300+SantiagoProtagonistGypsyWoman who encourages Santiago's questMelchizedekKing of SalemCrystal MerchantSantiago’s employerThe EnglishmanAspiring alchemistwho wants to turnmetal to goldFatimaWoman of the desertThe Alchemist200-year-oldmaster alchemistMentorRomanceMain CharactersSymbolsPurifying low-value metals to create "pure" metal, stone, and elixirs; represents transformation and Santiago's quest for his Personal LegendAlchemySpoken by all of creation; represents connection of all thingsUniversal LanguagePAULO COELHOBORN 1947Born in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian author wrote his first book, The Pilgrimage, after a spiritual awakening. At first largely ignored, The Alchemist took off after it was translated into French and became an international best seller.AuthorSantiago learns that living and nonliving things share in the Soul of the World; Personal Legends guide their improvement.OnenessThemesSantiago's quest for his Personal Legend begins with a search for the meaning of his recurrent dream.Personal LegendSantiago chooses to pursue his Personal Legend; failure to employ free will resultsin fate—uncontrolled events—guiding one’s life.Free Will vs. FateSpurred by a recurring dream, a shepherd boy named Santiago travels from Andalusia in Spain to Egypt in search of a hidden treasure. Various characters he meets on his journey encourage him to pursue his quest. Learning from each new adventure, Santiago gains the wisdom to see that, in the end, one's treasure lies close to home.A Journey Without and WithinOVERVIEWBack home, Santiago discovers his treasure and Personal Legend.Santiago realizes his Personal Legend is not at the pyramids.A gypsy and an old king encourage him to pursue his dreams.Santiago falls in love with Fatima while continuing to learn from the Englishman.Santiago works with the crystal merchant and meets the Englishman.Santiago leaves his family home to pursue his quest.Paulo Coelho1988PortugueseNovelAuthorYear PublishedOriginal LanguageThe AlchemistAllegory
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