In order to achieve happiness, one should do what makes them happy such as trying to make their dream come true or spending time with their loved ones. The main character Santiago from “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, obtained happiness by following his dream and finding new companionship during his journey. Furthermore in the article “In the Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin Mcmahon describes some things people do in order to be happy. Despite the high expectations to achieve happiness, one should follow their dreams and be with the ones you love. One way to obtain happiness is to follow your dreams. In “The Alchemist”, Santiago wanted to follow his dream to travel and know the world, thus he went against his Father and became a Shepherd. “Well, then I’ll be a shepherd” (9 Coelho). Santiago’s father wants him to become a priest and also a source of pride for their family. However his desire to travel was still alive and therefore decides to become a shepherd instead, despite knowing he will be living under the burden of finding food, water and shelter. Furthermore in “The Alchemist” Santiago questioned himself about whether or not …show more content…
The article “In Pursuit of Unhappiness”, states that happiness is “better display in the rites of the holiday season”. During the holidays, it became tradition to spend time with your family and friends while enjoying their company. Furthermore, schools tend to have breaks aligning with the holidays so the students are able to go visit their family. In “The Alchemist”, Santiago wants to stay at the oasis because he is in love with Fatima and wants to marry her. “She’s worth more than treasure” (118 Coelho). This reveals that Santiago is willing to give up his personal legend just to stay with Fatima. Santiago wants to marry Fatima and be happy. Thus, spending time with your loved one will bring you happiness, though high expectations comes with trying to obtain
In The Alchemist Paulo Coelho presents a character, Santiago, torn between following tradition and his Personal Legend. Santiago tries to live true to his Personal Legend, which is a path pursued by those who strive to fulfill their purpose in life. Yet throughout the novel tradition, a motif, presents itself as a roadblock holding Santiago back from reaching his dreams. Coelho juxtaposes tradition against Personal Legend to illustrate its purely individual nature and the necessity of the acceptance of change to reach one’s dreams and goals.
Santiago is a young boy who fits into the flawed hero archetype. His story tells of his journey to find his Personal Legend and the many new people and experiences he encounters. Santiago is flawed in the way that he does not have enough confidence in himself to complete the task set out in front of him. He is constantly putting himself off track and avoiding what he has to do. In the beginning of his journey, he faces a setback and his money gets stolen. While finding a solution and a job, he gets distracted loses sight of his dreams. A couple months into the job, he thinks, “...Egypt was now just as distant a dream as was Mecca for the merchant…” (Coelho 58) and he glorifies his new plan to “disembark at Tarifa as a winner” (Coelho 58) with his improved flock of sheep. However, he continues his journey two years later, despite his break in confidence. When Santiago reaches the Oasis during his journey across the desert, he gets sidetracked once more by a woman. This woman’s name is Fatima. The second time they meet Santiago speaks without thinking and says, “‘I came to tell you just one thing...I want you to be my wife. I love you.’” (Coelho 98). This alone demonstrates his rash actions of an inexperienced hero who causes his dreams to be postponed. However, Santiago is also a successful hero despite his flaws. He still continues his journey, no matter what, and eventually reaches his goal. Even through
Santiago changed in mighty different ways throughout the quest and although made it clear that nothing could stop him from conquering his personal legend, the real reason for him to pursue the quest has to be for him to gain life lessons, qualities like patience, bravery and maturity and as an additional bonus, the treasure. Finally, the argument can be concluded with the statement that The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho can qualify as a quest because as quoted in the novel “when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve
It is very simple to everyone if we have the spirit in positive thinking. The happiness is always around us, but we have to acting and looking forward the happiness. Therefore, the author shows us two examples of Judith, Markus, and Roland in adaption of happiness. With Judith, she was choosing happy because she thought her life got better in the future. Although she were already born in the low set point for happiness and difficult life circumstances, she were still choosing happy is the goal for her. Every time she had bad thought, she were always stopping her mind to think about it. As in the chapter, “There is no happiness without action.” (p.68) This is quote for me to learn in the happiness. Related to the topic, I used to face to the problem with my first love. It was really worst. I had depressed almost over three months. At that time, I could not eat and do anything. It was wounds and traumas. I thought I couldn’t overcome. Finally, I could deal with it. I chose the happiness to live it because I realize I can find the new one who will be love me more than him. From my first love, I draw the experience “be happy” to myself because no one has responsible to produce the happiness to me. I cannot depend the happiness too much on
Have you ever encountered problems while trying to fulfill a goal in your life? In the book The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, a shepherd boy named Santiago overcomes obstacles to reach his personal legend. Throughout the book Santiago encounters many friends to help him fulfill his destiny. Santiago encounters many problems throughout the story. He overcomes them with the help of his friends and his wife-to-be. These problems shape Santiago into a dignified man of many traits.
The Theme of “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho is, always follow your dreams and listen to your heart. At the start of the novel Santiago does not know what he should do when he is confronted by his dream. But by the end of the novel Santiago completely trusts his heart to guide him though life. Santiago’s story shows him learning and living out the theme of the novel.
There are many obstacles in everyday life, but none as detrimental to ones future as fear. Fear can cause people to not only avoid achieving their goals in life but it also forces them to think about it throughout every day. Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist shows that those who wallow in fear will never achieve their personal legend, and those who conquer fear will achieve anything they strive for. Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a commonly analyzed and criticized piece of literature. One of these articles is Rejendra Kumar Dash’s “Alchemy of the Soul: A Comparative Study of Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha and Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist”. Dash’s article is a literary criticism of the different parts of the character’s journey in The Alchemist. He talks about, in his article, how the theme in The Alchemist is found through analyzing the different parts of Santiago’s journey and what those parts mean. Another one of these articles is Lily Hasanah’s “Decision Making in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist”. Hasanah’s article is a literary criticism of the main character in The Alchemist, Santiago. She searches for the theme in The Alchemist through analyzing the decisions, and the outcomes of those decisions, made by Santiago. Paulo Coelho provides access to his theme, for the most part, though the actions and adventures of the main character, Santiago. Although this is the method of delivery he had in mind, Dash and Hasanah view the delivery of his theme differently.
First, the expectation of being happiness normally undermines its purpose, making us unhappy. Subsequently, devoting oneself to the happiness of others in turn brings happiness to the person. Finally, true happiness comes from being content with what one already has instead of worrying about he or she doesn’t. So the next time you think that you are not and want to be happy, remember that instead of following the feeling around, let happiness come to
At least, not to actively try to acquire happiness as an end goal, but rather to let the good will bring happiness as a byproduct. “On the other hand, it is a duty to maintain one’s life; and, in addition, everyone has also a direct inclination to do so.” This quote from Kant touches the idea that while it is important to be morally dutiful to others, it is also important to focus on bringing happiness to yourself. Here, I agree with almost everything on this point. I definitely agree that acquiring happiness for yourself is important. The only thing I disagree with Kant on is that I believe that it is possible to actively find personal
The studies given as examples and discussion focuses on teenagers and young adults, but includes anyone is struggling to find happiness. Evidence to Support Thesis: Point 1: The level of well-being is emphasized as more people continue to lose track of what makes them happy. Shawn Anchor is reminding people to capture the essence of simple contentment and asking his audience to think about what they value. Anchor’s book provides seven principles that involve having an open mind to becoming happier. Anchor includes other research studies as evidence to his claims throughout the book.
The pursuit for happiness has been a quest for man throughout the ages. In his ethics, Aristotle argues that happiness is the only thing that the rational man desires for its own sake, thus, making it good and natural. Although he lists three types of life for man, enjoyment, statesman, and contemplative, it is the philosopher whom is happiest of all due to his understanding and appreciation of reason. Aristotle’s version of happiness is not perceived to include wealth, honor, or trivial
Happiness is a feeling that humans naturally desire. Without it, one feels incomplete. In this generation, happiness has taken on a definition by how we are presented to one another. It is measured by how much money we have, how famous we are, or the things we possess. When in reality, none of these things guarantee a happy life. Happiness is something that cannot be bought with money, but rather, it must be found, earned, sought after. Each and every one of us has our own list of things that we consider to make us happy. However, happiness shines brightest through the relationships we create, and the goals we make for ourselves to strive after. Along with these two essential sources, we then can mix and match those things in life that we enjoy to create our own unique formula for happiness.
He stated that “happiness is a life of virtuous activity in accordance with reason”. (Aristotle). The importance of this quote is happiness can neither be gained or lose in a few hours. It is a value of your life measuring up to your full potential as a human being. Aristotle reveals that you should not announce your happiness has been lived until your life has come to an end. It does not just take one day to fulfil happiness it takes time. The secret to achieving most of your happiness is having a good personality. Developing a good personality will require strong effort, you have to wat happiness for all the right reasons. For instance, being addicted to drugs. This is top issue in the world today that is often mistaken as a pain reliever and a way of happiness, but once it’s out of the system everything comes back. We cannot try to substitute real happiness for the knock off brand. Happiness comes from within and help from family. Friends, and
Throughout my life, I have learned to see that happiness is not such an inaccessible dream. Although its notion varies from one person to another, happiness is often times only one inch away. Some people will experience happiness in the pursuit of it. Some will find it in sacrificing themselves for greater goals. Others will find it in people’s company, in lust or in drugs. There is no recipe for success or happiness, and it is only up to us to define what we want from life, and how we want to get it. The only certain thing is that it is never too late for anybody to achieve their dreams, to make peace with their feelings, and ultimately, to be happy.
But in this debate, one question still raises its head - What is happiness? Happiness is not actually leading a luxurious life, but the luxury of living a life. Happiness is not actually about expanding your business, but it lies in expanding the horizons of life. Happiness is not having a meal in the most famous restaurant, but having it with your most beloved family. It does not lie in attending honorable parties, but to attend a party with honor.