By: Moira Gesland
From my assigned
section (pages 120- 163) there were many memorable moments because it is the last
section of the book where the climax, falling action and conclusion take place.
My most memorable moment was when Santiago turned himself into wind using the
power of alchemy. While Santiago and the Alchemist were on their way to the
Egyptian pyramids to seek the treasure, they are stopped by men who accuse them
of being spies. The alchemist explains that Santiago is an alchemist and he can
destroy their camp using wind. The men don't believe the Alchemist and
therefore challenge Santiago to transform himself into wind within three days.
Santiago believes this is impossible and knows they both will be killed if he
doesn't turn into wind. After three days, Santiago speaks to the desert about
his love for Fatima and the desert offers its sand. ''I'll give you my sands to help the wind to blow, but alone, I can't do anything. You have to ask for help from the wind" (Coelho 145) He then speaks to the wind
who is very stubborn. "The wind was a proud being, and it was becoming irritated with what the boy was saying" (Coelho 147). However, after Santiago pleaded for the wind's help, the wind offered itself. He
also convinces the sun to shine brighter so that the wind can blow harder to
make the sand block its brightness. Santiago finally realizes that he can
perform miracles for the first time and is amazed by himself and what he can
do. He realizes that the Soul of the World was part of the soul of God. "The boy reached through to the soul of the world, and saw that it was part of the Soul of God" (Coelho 152). The men are also
amazed by what Santiago has done and therefore let Santiago and the Alchemist
continue their journey to the pyramids of Egypt. This was my most memorable
moment because it is the first time we see Santiago overcome his fear in order
to pursue his personal legend. It motivated him to perform more miracles and he
finally believes that alchemy is possible if you believe in yourself. He also
realizes that the Soul of the World is his own Soul which means he has used
spiritual force to bind the sand, wind and sun together in order to become an
ultimate force. This advances the plot because we know that Santiago will
continue to use alchemy now that he has mastered it and anything is possible if
you have love and passion for it.
Most Memorable Moment
By: Raevon Khan
window in exchange for food, but the crystal merchant does not respond. The crystal merchant says it
was a good omen that customers entered while Santiago cleaned and offers Santiago a job. The young
man explains that the route across the Sahara desert is dangerous, and Santiago needs to show that he
has enough money to make the trip. Santiago says he will clean all the merchant’s crystal overnight
in exchange for money to get to Egypt. Santiago waits at the marketplace until nightfall for the young
man to return and begins to cry when he realizes he’s been robbed. That day, the crystal merchant
sees Santiago looking around his shop. The merchant replies that the trip to Egypt is so long and
expensive that Santiago couldn’t earn enough for the trip in a year. When Santiago finishes, the
crystal merchant takes him to a café. Santiago asks the young man to find out the sword’s price, but
realizes the young man has disappeared. The bar owner speaks angrily to the young man in Arabic,
and the young man drags Santiago outside, saying the bar owner is a thief. Santiago notices that some
merchants speak Spanish and others speak Arabic, but they communicate with each other without
words. Santiago gives the young man his money to purchase camels. Santiago waits at the
marketplace until nightfall for the young man to return and begins to cry when he realizes he’s been
robbed.Santiago asks the young man to find out the sword’s price, but realizes the young man has
disappeared.
written.” As Santiago packs, the two stones, Urim and Thummim, fall to the floor, reminding
Santiago of Melchizedek. Santiago offers to build a display case to place outside the shop and attract
more customers, but the crystal merchant fears people will bump into it and break crystal. The crystal
merchant hesitates to enter a new business, but he invites Santiago to smoke a pipe with him to
discuss the idea. After hearing a man complain about the lack of places to drink on the hill, Santiago
suggests that the crystal merchant also sell tea in crystal glasses. The crystal merchant says he will
not go to Mecca, and Santiago will not go home. He tells the crystal merchant he wants to return to
Tarifa and buy a large flock of sheep, and he encourages the crystal merchant to travel to Mecca. The
crystal merchant doesn’t understand why Santiago feels so determined. These are memorable
moments because although Santiago has a herd of sheep he was still able to get a job and earn money
even after his money was stolen from that young man who he wanted to get a camel from just robbed
him. It just goes to show that no matter if you're failing in life you can still earn it back.
Most Memorable Moment:
By: Aliya Najarali
Throughout the beginning of the
novel, several important events happen that will eventually lead to the start
of Santiago's great journey. One moment or event that seems to stand out to me
was when Melchizedek was speaking to Santiago about the real interpretation of
his dream and how he should act on it. An
example of where I feel Melchizedek showed his true talent of knowledge is when
he states, “That at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's
happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate” (Coelho 18). I feel
this is a very powerful statement to me because it can apply in my own life in
aspects such as my future career which should not be controlled by fate. This
moment was memorable for Santiago as well because it was when, “He had to
choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to
have” (Coelho 27). Melchizedek therefore, became Santiago's source of
enlightenment towards achieving greatness in his future.
The things that Melchizedek said
contained lessons that we as people living in tough societies can learn from as
well. Santiago has also been amazed and inspired by Melchizedek's words about his
Personal Legend and treasure he could have that is waiting for him if he really
wants it. My favourite quote that Melchizedek states is, “If you start out by
promising what you don’t even have yet, you’ll lose your desire to work toward
getting it ” (Coelho 25). It is my favourite out of all of them due to the fact
that it teaches me a valuable lesson to apply in my everyday life. The wisdom and truth that is told by Melchizedek creates a spark of connection to be remembered as lessons for me.
Most Memorable Moment
By: Nicole Massad
In the middle of the book, the most memorable moment for me was when the Englishman and Santiago reached the Oasis. Being one of the biggest milestones in the journey, it was an anticipating moment to finally reach. Santiago and the Englishman will finally get to meet the man they were aiming for during their lengthy journey, and an addition to Santiago's life as well; Fatima. This part of the book allows the story to progress and is one of the most important parts. Two new important characters have been added.
After traveling for a good amount of time, they finally reached it; the oasis. This is the place where the Englishman and Santiago will meet a 200 year old alchemist. After meeting with said Alchemist, he offers to accompany Santiago on his travel to the pyramids. The Alchemist proceeds to teach Santiago about following his personal legend. Having the two characters finally meet with the alchemist allows the story to continue to progress and escalate.
In the meantime, Santiago also meets a woman named Fatima. She tells Santiago that she loves him and promises that once he finishes his journey to the pyramids, she will be waiting for him. Fatima and the alchemist end up convincing and encouraging Santiago to leave Fatima behind to continue on with his quest. Santiago eventually agrees. Having Santiago meet Fatima foreshadows what might happen later on in the story since she says that she will wait for Santiago to return. The author is beginning to reveal that Fatima is not a character who will just enter and exit the story; there is more to come.
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