1. Justin Hodges
4/16/2016
Group c | LC2
BUS.101
Group 1 Questions
Prologue and pages 3-10
1. Why does Coelho open with the modified myth of Narcissus? How does the new version
differ from the original one? How does it change the myth’s meaning? What might the author
be suggestion about how we perceive ourselves and the world? Coelho opens with the myth
because Narcissus would be the very model or example of how “The Alchemist” may or may
not play out. The new version differs from the original in that it shows the beauty of Narcissist
and the lake instead of only self reflection or beauty of Narcissist only. The lake said, “In the
eyes of narcissist I can see my own beauty”. The lake came to a realization that she was
beautiful as well and wept that Narcissist may have seen this as well. The author might suggest
that “perception is reality”.
2. The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their
existence?How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his
observation that they “have forgotten torely on their own instincts” foreshadow what might
be coming in the novel? He observes that there are so many things to worry about when
having sheep with you all the time. It’s a great symbolization of humans because we rely a lot
on others, sometimes take advantage and burden others. It foreshadowers Santiago’s actions
that he will start relying on other like the old woman over his instincts, he may or may not be
steered in the right direction.
3. To what degree is Santiago’s father’s observation about travelers true about Santiago?
Santiago’s father was right in the fact that travelers have freedom; they come in search of new
things. Travelers move quickly. Travelers experience a side of life that not all people are able to
experience because they sit inside towns all day. They can never experience the true beauty of
our land.
Pages 10-25
1. Why does the old fortune teller say that Santiago’s dream is difficult to interpret? Why is
Santiago suspicious of her? The old fortune teller says that Santiago’s dream is difficult to
interpret because she wants him to pay more for her to get more into detail over the
interpretation. Santiago is suspicious of the fortune teller because he heard that they were
unreliable and only did this for money.
2. The old man tells Santiago a story about a miner and an emerald. How does it connect to
Santiago’s situation? What does the old man mean when he says that “treasure is uncovered
by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents?” What does this quote

2. have to do with the story of the miner and the emerald? The miner and emerald story are
similar to Santiago’s situation because he didn’t believe the story at first but then eventually
the miner came into contact with the emerald but didn’t remember the old woman’s request
and in turn suffered the consequences. I believe the quote means that that you should
remember who got you to a certain part in life, Santiago got to that point by asking for the aid
of others even though they seemed small. The same person to get you to a certain point in life
can be the same person to be your downfall. I feel like it relates to Santiago because right now
he is not self aware of him and he needs to before take a turn in his life for the worst and losses
those precious to himself.