“I’m an adventurer, searching for treasure” (Coelho, pg 40) In the book The Alchemist, a young shepherd boy from Spain named Santiago follows his destiny. He one day learns that a treasure lies at the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and discovers that its his destiny to find that treasure. Along his journey through Africa, he meets many people, learns how to read omens, and finds love. Santiago achieves his destiny by maintaining his adventurous nature, being intuitive, and remaining determined.
During his journey, Santiago's adventurous nature helps him overcome many obstacles. Towards the beginning of the book, Coelho describes Santiago's adventurous nature with the quote; “Whenever he could, he sought out a new road to travel.” This quote shows that Santiago is willing to go places he has never gone before, and that he doesn't hesitate about the dangers ahead. This trait helps Santiago further when he decides to take the boat over to Africa. He does not know what exactly is on the other side, but he is willing to go to Africa in search of his treasure. Towards the end of the book, Santiago says farewell to the alchemist. Throughout the book, the alchemist helped Santiago with his journey. He helped Santiago so much that Santiago couldn't have made it to the Pyramids without the assistance and teachings of the alchemist. Despite this, Santiago still continues his journey without the Alchemist and reaches the Pyramids. At first, Santiago didn't want the alchemist to leave, but Santiago then realized that he had to fulfil his destiny on his own, and set off to find is treasure. Santiago's adventurous nature helped him through many obstacles, but Santiago wouldn't have been able to achieve his destiny without logic and reasoning.
Santiago's intuition and reasoning skills were an important asset on his journey. Towards the end of the book, when the military encampment captured Santiago and the alchemist, the only way for Santiago and the alchemist to continue with their journey was if Santiago turned himself into the wind. At first Santiago panicked, and thought he couldn't turn himself into the wind, but soon after, Santiago overcame his fear and was able to turn himself into the wind. Santiago was able to overcome his fear and control it, and didn't break down when faced with a life or death situation. During his stay in the oasis, Santiago saw several hawks flying in an unusual pattern. At first, this had no meaning to him, but Santiago soon knew that there was something strange about the birds. He then realized that the hawks were an omen. The omen said that the oasis would be attacked. Santiago told that oasis leaders about this, and due to his prognostication, the oasis held its ground against the attackers and many lives were saved. When Santiago was following the soon-to-be thief through the market place, Santiago though to himself “I’ll just watch him’ he said to himself. He knew he was stronger than his friend”. Santiago knew that he couldn’t trust his new friend with all of his money, but Santiago’s new friend may have been the only way to cross that desert. Santiago used his intuition to find a way to protect his money, but at the same time, not making his new friend suspicious. Santiago's intuition helped him through many tight spots, but he still had to persevere through all of hardships of the world.
Santiago had to show a great deal of determination to overcome the many obstacles of the world and achieve his destiny. Soon after Santiago met Fatima, the beautiful girl from the oasis, he was given two choices. He could either stay in the oasis with Fatima, or he could continue with his journey and achieve his destiny. Although the decision was very hard for him, Santiago chose to continue his journey, and come back for Fatima later. Santiago was willing to put aside anything to achieve his destiny, even love, but at the same time, he still stayed fateful to Fatima. In the beginning of the book, Santiago left the comfort and safety of his home to become a shepherd. After many years of seeing travelers from all over the world pass through his town, he wanted to leave his hometown and see the rest of the world. The only way he could do this though, was if he became a lowly shepherd, as apposed to the respected and highly paid holy official. Despite this, he still became a shepherd, knowing the consequences of his decision. Santiago was able to make his decision without hesitation, and he stood by it for as long as it took. In the Epilogue, Santiago says to himself “I’m coming Fatima”. After finding his treasure and achieving his destiny, Santiago now has to persevere through one more journey, the road back to Fatima. Although the road ahead will be difficult, those three words that Santiago said show that he will find Fatima no matter what.
Santiago’s journey ends at The Great Pyramids, when he realizes that the treasure he has been seeking for several years was where he first started, at the great sycamore tree in the church all the way back in Spain. Over this time Santiago matured from a young shepherd boy to a grown man. Santiago wouldn’t have been able to achieve his destiny without his daring and adventurous nature, his determined spirit, and his intuition to help him overcome the many obstacles and temptations of the world. His adventurous nature allowed him to overcome obstacles and Even though he did find the treasure, Santiago’s real treasure was the journey that he took. Along his journey, Santiago met many people, overcame many obstacles, and even found love. Santiago’s journey proves that its not the reward that’s the treasure, but the journey you take that's the real treasure.
Intuition
Intuition by Unknown
Since i don't know what my destiny is yet, I cannot find which of my traits makes me a participant in my destiny, though, my intuition and gut feelings will help me achieve my destiny later in life. My hunches and gut feelings have helped me a lot in my life so far. I am able to tell when somebody is lying or when something isn't right. I can tell when my friends are doing favors for me and treating me extra nicely, I know that they will be expecting favors in the future. My intuition has helped me with more than just my friends asking me for money, it has also helped me with my academics. It has helped me with problems as small as trick questions on a quiz, to finding the greater meaning in a book. My intuition will definently help me later in life. While helping me avoid the many dangers of the world, my intuition will also help me look deeper into people's actions towards me, and find out their true feelings towards me. This will help me find out who my real friends are. My intuiotion and gut feelings have helped my a lot i my life so far, and they will continue to help me achieve my destiny.
