The Alchemist Analysis

A journey is a composition of music. Different instruments come together to play different strings of notes that harmoniously combine to create a symphony. Santiago, the main protagonist from the Alchemist, experiences many symphonies on his road to realize his Personal Legend. His experiences guided him to his goal and when he had finally achieved it, the story came to a close. The ending of the novel was (opposite of unexpected) and satisfying. Paulo Coelho left his audience with a satiating end to a long story. The ending of the story fitted perfectly with the book because it enhanced the idea of the Soul of the World, the cycles of life, and overall these ideas all came with realizing his Personal Legend.

Santiago’s tireless journey that

One of those desires being love. Through his experiences he learned that one of the universal languages was love. When he met Fatima, he was ready to give up his search for his Personal Legend and stay with Fatima in the desert, but through the persuasion of the Alchemist, he left his desires. He learned the true meaning of love and after setting it aside to realize his dreams he can return to it. “Instead, it brought the scent of a perfume he knew well, and the touch of a kiss – a kiss that came from far away, slowly, slowly, until it rested on his lips” (167). The concept of the wind has changed for him, from the start of the journey he believed that the levanter came from Africa that brought the threat of Moorish invasions. However, he has learned that the wind was free and that it carried many messages, such as the love from Fatima. And now that he has completed his journey he can go in search of Fatima. The strong desires that he had put off to realize his Personal Legend can now be called to attention. This is another reason why the ending of the book fits well, because it ends with love. Many stories use love as a strong motive for their characters. In the Alchemist, Santiago had to forget that desire to achieve his Personal Legend, but has made it a goal to return to the oasis to live with Fatima after his journey was over. He has made many realizations about love. “’Yes, that’s what love is. It’s what makes the game become the falcon, the falcon become man, and man, in his turn, the desert. It’s what turns lead into gold, and makes the gold return to the earth’” (145). He learns that the spiritual unification of everything is connected to this idea of love. The fact that everything is trying to purify themselves in order to reach their Personal Legend, and that they help each other realize