Comparing The Alchemist And The Lion King

Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist and the Disney film The Lion King directed by Allers and Minkoff,
both exemplify the crucial role played by situational and character tropes in the ultimate success of the
hero. Neither Santiago nor Simba, the respective heroes of the two works, would progress on their
journey without the power of love. In The Alchemist Fatima represents the power of love by supporting
Santiago’s decision to leave the oasis. After meeting Fatima Santiago doubts his quest. The Alchemist’s
advice that love should not stop him from pursuing his personal legend, leads Santiago to inform Fatima
he is leaving, but will return. In response Fatima tells Santiago: “Before this, I always looked to the
desert with longing ... Now it

will be with hope...[Santiago responds]... ‘ I’ll return, just as your father
came back to your mother’” (Coelho 122). Fatima accepts Santiago’s decision and promises to wait for
him, as indicated by her looking to the desert with hope, providing Santiago with the emotional support
required throughout the remainder of his journey. The purpose of the power of love trope in The
Alchemist is clear: Fatima strengthens Santiago’s resolve to complete his journey and return to the
woman he loves. This is further represented in The Lion King when Nala finds Simba to tell him about
the plight of the pride in his absence encouraging him to return to Pride Rock. She tells him that Scar
has let the hyenas take over and destroy the Pride lands; there is no food or water left and the fate of
the pride is at stake if he does not return. Simba turns his back, exclaiming that bad things happen in life
and nothing can be done about it. Irate, Nala asserts his responsibility, telling him he is not the Simba
she remembers. Simba says she sounds like his father and Nala replies that at least one of them does!
(The Lion King). The interaction with Nala, Simba’s childhood friend and sweetheart, is crucial to the

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continuation of Simba’s journey. Nala evokes an emotional response, forcing Simba to remember the
greatness of his father and his true role as leader of the Pride. Following this discourse, Simba begins the
return portion of his journey. Although both Fatima and Nala represent the power of love the trope in
The Lion King is necessary to fuel Simba’s ire and need for revenge, whereas for Santiago it is to
strengthen his resolve knowing Fatima loves him.

Additionally, the eccentric mentor trope’s presence in
both works is crucial for the hero’s successful completion of their quest. For Santiago this is the
Alchemist when he tells the tribesmen that Santiago can turn himself into the wind in an effort to teach
Santiago the confines of fear. He tells Santiago he will have to learn to turn himself into the wind, “[his]
life depends on it ... You’re the one who may die ... I already know how to turn myself into the wind”
(Coelho 141, 143). The Alchemist embodies the eccentric mentor – the heroism, staying one step ahead
and fortitude in the face of death. The reader gleans the purpose of the trope which is to ensure
Santiago’s continued knowledge and endurance both of which will be tested before the culmination of
his journey. Towards the end of the film, Rafiki plays a similar role in The Lion King. When Simba is
contemplating his return to Pride Rock, Rafiki responds to Simba’s declaration that he knows what he
has to do but is reluctant to do so because going back means he will have to face his past. At this

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Rafiki hits him over the head with his stick, and when Simba asks why, he responds in his typical
bumbling manner, cackling: “It doesn’t matter it’s in the past ...

yes the past can hurt but the way I see
it you can either run from it or learn from it” (The Lion King). The style of mentoring employed by Rafiki
is indeed eccentric: laughing, he inflicts physical pain on Simba rather than direct dialogue and advice to
prove his point that the past is the past and it does not matter. Rafiki does not come across as the
typical wise mentor; nonetheless his words ensure the desired impact – ensuring Simba’s return to Pride
Rock. Although both eccentric mentors achieve the necessary aims, the purpose of each within the
respective works is divergent. In the novel the Alchemist deliberately places Santiago in a life or death
situation; he knows the road ahead will necessitate Santiago’s physical and mental endurance; by

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forcing the young hero to prove himself, Santiago gains the self belief necessary to complete his quest.
In the film, Rafiki knows that Simba has been running from the past for a long time, as such he must
literally knock sense into the young lion king to ensure Simba overcomes his fear of the past to return

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save the Pride. This contrast highlights the different developmental requirements of each of the young
heroes. Overall, neither Santiago or Simba would have successfully completed their quests without the
presence of the power of love or eccentric mentor tropes, both of which strengthen the hero’s mental,
emotional and physical fortitude necessary to achieve ultimate success.