Character Analysis

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

By: Moira Gesland

#1 The Alchemist

            The Alchemist claims to be 200 years old. He is mysterious and holds a lot of power. He is a purified man, like any other alchemist who discovers new theories and understandings through alchemy. “The alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves.” (Coelho 85). He isn't a famous man. he enjoys doing what he does without the fame that comes with it. He has high power and therefore must be requested to be seen. He is capable of many things, which include turning metal into gold. He possesses magical powers and is the teacher figure to Santiago in the novel The Alchemist. The Alchemist is a very wise and sage man. He speaks only but the truth. "You must understand that love never keeps a man from pursuing his personal legend. If he abandons that pursuit it's because it wasn't true love... the love that speaks the language of the world"  (Coelho 120). His supernatural abilities guide Santiago on his own journey by helping him read and communicate beyond human capability. He teaches Santiago to learn through experience rather than verbal teaching. Because of the Alchemist, Santiago learns to follow his heart. The Alchemist also introduces Santiago to the "Soul of the World" which is a spiritual force that binds everything together and speaks in signs or natural omens. “What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way (Coelho 70).

#2 Santiago

               Santiago is a young boy from a small town. He is the protagonist in the novel The Alchemist. He is a determined strong and curious boy who is interested in learning various things. "'I'm an adventurer, looking for treasure,' he said to himself (Coelho 41). His parents wished for him to become a priest however, Santiago had bigger dreams. "But ever since he had been a child, he had wanted to know the world, and this was much more important to him than knowing God and learning about man's sins" (Coelho 8). He was a conservative boy until he dreamt a dream that changed his perspective on life. He dreams about finding a treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. Santiago is also very insightful and intuitive. He realizes a lot of things along his journey that open his mind. “The world speaks many languages, the boy thought” (Coelho 86). He isn't very interested in the dream until he meets Melchizidek who is an important character that however doesn't show up very often in the novel. Melchizedek is a man who says he is the king of Salem. We do not know whether he is telling the truth or not. Melchizedek introduces Santiago to the world of power over nature. Because of Melchizedek, Santiago becomes spiritual and therefore goes on a pursuit to find the treasure he dreamt about or his "personal legend". He becomes more observant and interested in small details of the world like a grain of sand. He then meets the Alchemist who guides him on a spiritual journey and helps him read omens. He learns to communicate with the elements of the world and with God.

#3 Fatima

            Fatima is one of the only female characters in this novel. Although there are others, she is the only female who is mainly focused on in the novel. She is a woman defined by great beauty and hopefulness. "I always looked to the desert with longing. Now it will be with hope" (Coelho 122).  She has the patience to wait for Santiago as he goes on his pursuit. Besides house work and chores, Fatima doesn't have many important duties. She understands that men must leave the women they love for long periods of time, although this may not be true. "I am a woman of the desert... above all, I am a woman" (Coelho 122). She knows that if Santiago really does love her, he will come back for her possibly and hopefully with the treasure he left to go find. "one is loved because one is loved. no reason is needed for loving" (Coelho 122).Although Santiago is resistant with leaving Fatima alone, she convinces him to go because she is confident that he loves her.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS
By: Raévon Khan

  Santiago
     
      A shepherd boy from a small town named Andalusian, is the protagonist of  "the alchemist."

Santiago is a determined, headstrong and curious to learn all about the world.  He resisted his parents

desires that he would have the opportunity to travel throughout the country. Santiago remains

conservative and self-satisfied in different ways until he dreams of uncovering a treasure hidden near

the pyramids in Egypt. He hesitates to pursue his dream until he meets an old man named

Melchizedek reveals to him the magical powers of nature. Melchizedek also claims to be the king of

Salem.

          As the story advances, Santiago spends time crossing the desert on his way to the pyramids

teaches him to pay attention to the world around him and to see all of creation in his surroundings,

even in a single grain of sand. Santiago gains knowledge from the desert and it allows him to

recognize nature as a single, unified whole. Santiago's greatest spiritual advancement comes after

he meets the alchemist, who helps him understand himself. Santiago ultimately learns to

communicate with the wind and the sun and a force evidently equal with God.


Fatima

         Fatima is the only female character in "the alchemist." She is defined by her beauty and her

willingness to wait for Santiago while he attends his personal legend. She lives at the Al-Fayom

oasis, where her primary duty in life consists of gathering water from the local well, and she says as a

woman of the desert she realizes that men must leave the woman they love for long periods. Fatima's

ultimate goal is to love Santiago, and she appears to have no personal legend of her own.


The Englishman

         The Englishman is a well- educated and ambitious aspiring alchemist. He's adventurous enough

to join a caravan in search of the alchemist. The Englishman focuses too much on his backs, the

alchemist believes he has not reached the point in his personal development that would allow him to

be the alchemist's protégé. The Englishman challenges Santiago with his intellectual, knowledge-

focused approach to life. He teaches Santiago the value of book learning and introduces him to

important concepts in alchemy. He must also learn from Santiago the importance of experience and

friendship.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS
By: Aliya Najarali

           There are characters that have been introduced so far in the novel from pages 1-41. The main character in this novel is a young boy named Santiago. Santiago’s father is an important person from his past that he looks up to and becomes part of his purpose as a shepherd. Melchizedek was the old man that Santiago met who helped him make his decision to set out on his journey to follow his Personal Legend.

            Santiago, the protagonist in the novel is described as curious, adventurous, grateful, and always alert at all times. He loves to explore and view the world and how other cities look like. Since Santiago is a shepherd, he has to spend his nights sleeping on the floor with only his jacket and a book that is used for his pillow. Santiago shares a strong bond towards his sheep because he tends to wake up at the same time they do, he talks to them, and he always makes sure they are cared for. This is shown when the novel states about Santiago that, “He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said.” (Coelho 4).  Santiago went on further to even say, “I learn more from my sheep than my books” (Coelho 5) which demonstrates how much he has learnt when he went on his travels with his sheep. Santiago felt that his purpose in life was to travel as he enjoyed it while continuing his job as a shepherd. “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting, he thought, as he looked again at the position of the sun, and hurried his pace” (Coelho 11). This quotation expresses Santiago’s thoughts on the possibility of a dream like the one he keeps on having come true as it will make people’s lives in general more interesting. Santiago always seems cautious and uncertain when he meets people along the way such as the girl, the gypsy woman, and the old man whose name is Melchizedek.

            The father of Santiago is a person who created good memories and conversations that he still remembers whenever he travels. His father made sure he attended a seminary till he was sixteen and study various languages and subjects. The father hoped that one day his son would become a priest and give a source of pride to their poor farm family. However, Santiago only wanted to travel. It was stated in the novel that, “His father said no more” (Coelho 9) which was the reaction the father had towards Santiago when he heard that his son didn’t want to become a priest. Santiago’s father had taught him well so he could apply the things he learnt during his travels which is evident when he met an old man in which it was stated that “The boy was tempted to be rude, and move to another bench, but his father had taught him to be respectful to the elderly” (Coelho 17).

            Melchizedek acted as an advisor to Santiago when he first met him near the merchant’s shop. This king was very wise and had the knowledge to know things that will come up in the future. “The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never forget the drops of oil on the spoon” (Coelho 32). This quotation stated by Melchizedek clearly represents his wisdom and deep level of thinking. Melchizedek was a guide to Santiago as he told him how to achieve one’s Personal Legend and the importance of it in life. Santiago made the decision to set out on journey to achieve his own Personal Legend because of Melchizedek’s words to him.

Character Analysis  

by: nicole massad 

Santiago 

Santiago is a shepherd who is determined to follow his dreams; literally. After his constant dreams about treasure in the pyramids, he is attempting to fulfill those dreams and find the treasure. He meets more and more people along his journey who encourages him to follow his "personal legend." Santiago seems like an adventurous person. As mentioned, he wants to be a shepherd because they get to travel. Having an exciting life seems to be an essential part of Santiago. He takes on his journey with pride and excitement, and will take the hardships along his journey as an experience.  

Melchizedek 

Claiming to be the king of Salem, this man meets Santiago on his journey. Seemingly superstitious, he gives Santiago two magical stones to help him along the way. Melchizedek states that he is seen as a symbol to people. He seems like a mysterious character. Melchizedek is also seen as a motivator and he helps people follow their dreams. His message and strong enlightening words seems to carry on with Santiago as he continues his quest to the pyramids. 

Fatima 

The only female character we are introduced to so far is Fatima. She says she loves Santiago and trusts him immensely. She is willing to wait for Santiago when he returns from his journey, which shows how much she loves him. She convinces and encourages Santiago to go forth on his journey when he was hesitant to leave. Fatima is seen for her beauty.  I feel that she will show up once again and will play a very important part in Santiago's life.