Character Analysis: The Alchemist

In the novel The Alchemist it tells a story of a boy who is in search of his Personal Legend. A Personal Legend is the means in which a person can live a satisfying life, in other words ones destiny in life. As the novel states the only way to achieve perfection is if all natural things continuously undergo a cycle of achieving their Personal Legend, evolving into a higher being with a new Personal Legend, and then pursuing that new goal. This concept, that the individualistic pursuit of a Personal Legend exists as life’s dominant—perhaps only—spiritual demand, lies at the center of the unique theology of The Alchemist. As we see when Santiago must give up his flock, material success and even love pose obstacles to Santiago achieving his Personal

Legend and must be delayed or ignored altogether. Those who put off their Personal Legends, such as the crystal merchant, suffer regret and fail to experience the wealth and other favors that the universe bestows upon those who follow their Personal Legends. In The Alchemist, the weaknesses of Santiago’s sheep and the individuals who fail to pursue their Personal Legend. Generally, people do not strive for Personal Legend satisfaction, but, when they do, they come up short in their search for it. Santiago sees his sheep as having weaknesses of indifference, pessimism, and dependence. These same traits are also seen in people who neglect to pursue their Personal Legend.