Santiago's Journey in The Alchemist Essay Example

“When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.” A quote by Paulo Coelho, a common theme in the novel, The Alchemist, as seen with the people who guide and help Santiago throughout his journey. Santiago was a young boy, a shepherd, who aspired to pursue his legend. At first, he is self-assured, but with the help of others, he gains motivation and advice on how to seek and pursue his Personal Legend. Santiago is mostly hesitant to continue carrying out the mission of his Personal Legend until he is robbed by a boy shortly after arriving in Africa. He gained knowledge and advice from the crystal merchant, and learned the meaning of his Personal Legend from the love of his life, Fatima. All of these elements work together to aid Santiago in his desire to achieve his goal.

 Santiago was gullible, and he let a young boy steal all of his money. However, this was just because he was perplexed and disoriented. Santiago was, after all, in a strange land. He didn't have the same appearance or attire as the other residents. Santiago quickly encountered a boy who appeared to be his age and spoke the same language as him. He puts his trust in him right away and gives him all his money. The boy struck a contract with him to send him to Egypt, Santiago thought he was trustworthy and would fulfill his word. He had no idea that the boy was a thief who took advantage of the first opportunity to flee. Santiago became sidetracked after seeing the most beautiful sword, and when he returned, the boy had vanished. Santiago was so innocent that he assumed the boy had become misplaced in the large crowd and chose to sit and wait for him. The boy never returned. At this point, Santiago understood he had been robbed. However, despite how terrible this event was, it led him to meet the crystal merchant and made him be responsible and work. “‘I can work for the rest of today,’ the boy answered. ‘ I'll work all night, until dawn, and I'll clean every piece of crystal in your shop. In return, I need money to get to Egypt tomorrow’” (Coelho 49-50). Santiago realized that he needed money in order to accomplish anything after this point. Now that all of his money is gone, and he has nowhere to stay, he needs to get a job. When Santiago first noticed that the boy was gone, he was so innocent and naive. He thought the boy had gotten lost and would come back. Once Santiago concluded that he was robbed, he went in search of a job. This event led him to realize he can't trust everyone, and to meet the crystal merchant. The crystal merchant offered him a job, and Santiago was able to earn money. Getting robbed opened Santiago’s eyes, and he concluded that not everyone is honest. This taught him why he can't trust everyone. 

The reader can see how Santiago has trust issues when he meets the Englishman. He starts by judging his physical appearance: “ Nearby was the Englishman, reading a book. He seemed unfriendly, and looked irritated when the boy entered. They might have become friends, but the Englishman closed off the conversation. The boy closed his book. He felt that he didn’t want to do anything that might make him look like the Englishman” (Coelho 71). Before putting his trust in someone, Santiago learned to look at their outward appearance. He didn't pay enough attention to the first boy and trusted him before getting to know him, which resulted in him being tricked. Santiago not only learned to observe and judge others, but he also learned how to keep his belongings safe from thieves: “He took out Urim and Thummim from his pocket, and began playing with them. The stranger shouted, ‘Urim and Thummim!’ In a flash, the boy put them back in his pocket. ‘They’re not for sale,’ he said” (Coelho 71). Santiago realized he couldn't trust anyone right away and immediately threw the two stones aside. The Englishman is referred to as a stranger, implying that he did not trust him before getting to know him. Being robbed on the first day of living in a new land by a boy may not have been a pleasant experience for Santiago. However, it was because of this occurrence that he was able to meet the crystal merchant, who instructed Santiago in a variety of methods, and life lessons. This encounter clarifies Santiago's mind; he realizes that he couldn't trust everyone, and he became more alert of his surroundings as a result.

The crystal merchant is one of the first ally’s Santiago meets in Africa. The merchant teaches him many important life lessons. Santiago is educated on what his future and mood would be like if he chose not to follow his Personal Legend. “‘ because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the same… I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll have no reason to go on living… But I'm afraid that it would all be a disappointment, so I prefer just to dream about it’” (Coelho 57). The crystal merchant's Personal Legend keeps getting postponed since he lost enthusiasm to leave his business and journey to Mecca. Santiago's personal legend is still new to him, and he is partly motivated to pursue it. The crystal merchant's concerns and uncertainties led him to continue his life in the same way every day. The crystal merchant clears the boy's vision by telling him what was “maktub” for his future: “‘ I'm leaving today,’ said the boy. ‘ I have the money I need to buy my sheep. And you have the money you need to go to mecca.’...‘ you have helped me;’...Then the man turned to the boy. ‘ I am proud of you,’ he said… ‘. But you know that I'm not going to Mecca. Just as you're not going to buy your sheep.’ ‘Who told you that?’ asked the boy, startled. ‘Maktub’ said the old crystal merchant’” (Coelho 63). Santiago's Personal Legend was still alive and well in the crystal merchant's mind. He realized the boy was simply bewildered and terrified because he lacked money. The crystal merchant gave him money and taught him many lessons that will help Santiago in the future. Santiago became wiser and more aware of himself and the world around him as a result. The crystal merchant used his final chance to lead Santiago and tell him exactly what his heart desires. By expressing this, Santiago reconsidered his choice and decided to continue his journey to Egypt. The crystal merchant may not have been a king, or a teacher, but he guided santiago. He was an ally, and was a huge part of Santiago accomplishing his personal legend, and meeting Fatima.

Fatima was a girl of the desert. She grew up there and always watched the women wait for the men to return, not having someone to wait for herself, until she met Santiago. It is when they meet that Santiago learned the language of the world, and they both found true love: “Finally a young woman approached who was not dressed in black… At that moment it seemed to him that time stood still, and the soul of the world surged within him… he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke-the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love” (Coelho 95). Fatima's beauty, and personality brings Santiago’s mind to life. He understands the language of the world, the one thing he had been trying to learn. It was all here, in the oasis. Fatima is a beautiful young woman who helps Santiago meet the alchemist. She has a kind heart, and because of this, Santiago is able to learn the language of the world. Aside from helping Santiago learn the language of the world, Fatima also shows him how pursuing his Personal Legend not only benefits him, but others as well. By Santiago continuing his adventure, he will give Fatiama someone to wait for, and give himself a reason to return. “ I have been waiting for you here at the oasis for a long time… ever since I was a child, I have dreamed that the desert would bring me a wonderful present. Now my present has arrived, and it's you…that's why I want you to continue toward your goal… the dunes are changed by the wind, but the desert never changes. ‘Maktub’ she said.’ if I'm really a part of your dream. You'll come back one day” (Coelho 100). Fatima acknowledged her affection for Santiago, stating that their connection was not just unique, but Maktub, and that it was meant to be. Santiago now understands that Fatima is a part of his own legend, and that she is the reason he must continue to seek it. He has discovered his true love, who has taught him the meaning of life, the language of the world, and the importance of constantly following his aspirations.

Many individuals assist Santiago in developing a clear vision of his Personal Legend and provide him with reasons why he should pursue it. The crystal merchant and Fatima were two of the people that assisted Santiago. Santiago learned several lessons from the crystal merchant, including what he might look like if he did not pursue his Personal Legend. Fatima taught Santiago the universal language and inspired him to chase his dream. Another incident that Santiago went through was being robbed by a young boy around his age. Santiago's eyes were opened, and he realized that he could not trust everyone. Santiago met the crystal merchant as a result of this incident, and was able to pursue his Personal Legend. All of these events led Santiago to be more mature, a better man, and most of all, led him to achieving his Personal Legend.