The Alchemist (vol. II)

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is certainly a bildungsroman. In the beginning of the work, Santiago is a shepherd who dreams of travelling. Indeed, he thinks that “the possibility of having a dream come true…makes life interesting” (16). However, he never imagines that pursuing his Personal Legend will lead him on such a great adventure in which he travels many miles. In fact, in the beginning of the work Santiago does not even understand what a personal legend is or how to follow it. Nevertheless, his curiosity and courage lead him into a world of discovery. Santiago learns that each person has a Personal Legend written by the hand of God which is bound and intertwined with the personal legends of all created things. Santiago’s journey teaches him that he is one thread in the larger tapestry of the universe. However, his journey is not an easy one and it is filled with obstacles he must overcome. But these obstacles serve as a refining fire which burns away the impurities of fear and disbelief to leave the pure matter of love and faith. Indeed, it is the pursuing of one’s dreams that is the true alchemy of the universe. True alchemy turns a normal soul living in the mundane to a soul of gold living a personal dream. Santiago’s journey develops him from a shepherd in Spain dreaming of a better life to a man in touch with his soul and living out his personal legend.