Self Development

1. The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
ISBN # 0-06-250217-4
Presentation by Allyson Karaba

2. Characters
• Santiago – a Shepard in search of his destiny. Santiago’s
passion and ambition inspires him to see the world and follow
his personal legend of discovering a treasure in Egypt. He
gains wisdom throughout his travels and this wisdom allows
him to understand the mysteries of the world.
• King Melchizedek – an old wise man who inspires Santiago
to sell his sheep and pursue the treasure. Throughout the story
he is a symbol of truth and his wisdom surprises and shocks
people.
• The Alchemist – understands the language of the world and
helps Santiago understand that all people are connected to the
soul of the universe. He serves as a guide to Santiago. He has
the ability to turn lead into gold.

3. The Alchemist: Theme
"Tell your heart that
the fear of suffering is
worse than the
suffering itself. And that no
heart has ever suffered when
it goes in search of its
dreams, because every
second of the search is a
second's encounter with
God and with eternity."
This book has a central theme
that if you do not follow your
dreams then you will be wasting
your life afraid of taking a
chance, when you could be
encountering an emotional,
spiritual, and life changing
experience.

4. Explication
• “Lead will play its role until
the world has no further
need for lead; and then lead
will have to turn itself into
gold”
• This passage symbolizes
a person’s journey toward
their future. The book’s
theme is revealed in this
passage: the world has
no use for a person who
does not follow their
dreams, so in order to
turn into gold (be the
person they were meant
to be), they must find
their purpose and live
their dreams.

5. Discussion Questions
• A recurring theme throughout The Alchemist is the occurrence of fatalism (The belief that
"what will be will be”) in everyday life. What are your thoughts on fatalism? In any way do
you agree with this quote from the book “‘To realize one's destiny is a person's only
obligation,’ the old man tells him. ‘And, when you want something, all the universe conspires
in helping you to achieve it.’"
• Are omens really out there and are they important? What are omens? Are they just illusions
that we see to justify something we feel or want to do, or are they something more?

6. The Alchemist
I believe this is a valuable choice read because it inspires and
influences people to follow their dreams. This book explores
the “pilgrimage that life should be” (M. Scott Peck).
Understanding that the world will help a person toward their
destiny if they trust in their dreams is the main theme in this
book and is illustrated with symbolism and imagery.