The document provides an analysis of the novel "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It summarizes the plot as a young shepherd named Santiago dreams of treasure in Egypt and embark on a journey there to find his personal legend. Along the way, he encounters various characters who provide guidance or obstacles. The analysis also describes the major conflict as Santiago struggling between completing his journey or settling elsewhere. Key literary elements like setting, characterizations, themes and narration style are also examined.

1. The Alchemist Analysis
Presented by Sir Faisal Irfan
Presented by IQRA MUSHTAQ

2. Today's Objective
Students will:
• identify various elements of a novel.
• analyze and evaluate key literary
elements.
• apply the procedure to the novel
“Alchemist”.
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3. Introduction to the Novel
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4. What is a Novel?
Characteristics:
• a fictional prose work
• usually divided into chapters
• relatively long and often complex plot
• story traditionally develops through the thoughts
and actions of its characters
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5. It's good to preview before reading
Preview checklist:
• the title and author
• the front and back covers
• summaries or excerpts from book reviews
• information about author
• introductory material – dedication
• foreword, or introduction
• chapter names and illustrations
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6. Basic purpose when we reading a novel:
To understand:
• who is telling the story (point of view)
• where and when the story takes place
(setting)
• who are the main characters
• what the characters are like (type)
• what happens (plot)
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7. Continued
You should also understand:
• the author’s central idea or message (theme)
• how the author expresses his or her ideas (style)
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8. Literary Elements
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12. Setting
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18. Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
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19. Plot
• Spanish shepherd Santiago dreams of a long-buried treasure in Egypt.
• Against his father's wishes, he sells his flock and uses the money to travel to Africa.
• During his journey, he swindled out of his money and accept the offer to work at a crystal
shop in exchange for food and shelter. While working here, he decides to continue his
quest.
• On the way to the pyramids, he meets an Englishman, Alchemist and some other characters.
• At last, Santiago reaches the pyramids. A group of men happens upon him and talk about
some dream while beating him. Santiago realizes the treasure has been buried treasure in the
church where he used to sleep with his flock.
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21. Major Conflict
• The major conflict of the book is Santiago’s personal tension between
completing his Personal Legend to travel all the way to Egypt to find a
treasure at the pyramids and settling along the way for the treasures he has
already earned.
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22. Setting (Time)
• The Alchemist is set in an indistinct time in the past. It
is clearly a pre-modern time, before automobiles and
most modern technology existed.
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23. Setting (Place)
• The main plot of the alchemist takes place in
the Spanish pastures, the Spanish town of
Tarifa, the city of Tangier in North Africa,
and the Sahara desert (Egypt).
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24. Tone and Mood
• The Alchemist reads like an ancient myth or fable. It is happy, simple, direct,
and mischievous. It also has elements of philosophy, morality and episodic
tale detailing a hero’s adventures during his journey.
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25. Style
• Symbols: Santiago’s Sheep; Alchemy; The Desert
• Tense: The story is told in the past tense.
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26. Theme
• Themes: The Centrality of Personal Legends; The Unity of Nature; The
Danger of Fear and Fear of Failure
• Motifs: Dreams; Maktub; Omens
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27. Narrator of Story
Narrator's Point of View
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28. Narrator (Alchemist)
• The narrator is an anonymous
omniscient observer. The
narrator speaks in a simple tone
and knows the thoughts and
feelings of every character in the
book.
Point Of View (Alchemist)
• The point of view is third person
omniscient, though the narrator focuses
on Santiago’s journey. Occasionally, the
narration will step back from Santiago and
focus on other character, but it always
returns to its protagonist. Notably, the
narrator stops referring to Santiago after
the first third of the book. Though the
point of view comments on some of the
characters’ innermost thoughts and
desires, it is a mostly objective observer.
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29. Characterization
• Santiago (Protagonist): An adventurous
young Andalusian shepherd determined to
fulfill his Personal Legend, which is to find a
treasure at the foot of the Egyptian
pyramids. He is the main character and
protagonist.
• Antagonist: The antagonist of the story
changes along the way. Sometimes it's a
character and other times it's a force,
occasionally, the antagonist is Santiago
himself. The thief in Tangiers also served as
an antagonist, along with the obstacles
Santiago faced during his journey.
• The Alchemist: A 200-year-old, extremely
powerful alchemist living in the Al-Fayoum
Oasis. He dresses in black, rides a white
horse, and carries a scimitar, the
Philosopher’s Stone, and the Elixir of Life.
He often speaks cryptically, but he
understands the Soul of the World and the
importance of Personal Legends and it’s a
static character.
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30. Characterization
Minor Characters
• Caravan Leader
• Barkeep
• Candy Seller
• Young Man
• Santiago's Father
• Merchant
• The Monk
• Merchant’s Daughter
• Camel Driver
• Gypsy
• Melchizedek
Dynamic Characters
• Crystal Merchant
• Englishman
• Fatima
• The Tribal Chieftain Of Al-
Fayoum
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31. Thank You
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32. Any Question
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