Santiago's Journey In The Alchemist

Out of all the decisions and choices life presents itself with, which one will be a stepping stone to inner happiness? The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, is an adventure filled story that answers this question by letting the reader experience the journey of a shepherd boy named Santiago. Throughout his journey, Santiago meets an alchemist who guides him through the desert while teaching him many skills and values along the way. As he traveled, he experienced many different symbols; like Santiago's flock, which he eventually left behind, is a past shadow of himself. Also, while the alchemist was guiding Santiago through the desert, Santiago noticed that it did not only have harsh conditions, but it tested his spirit as well. After all the trials

Santiago experienced, like the desert, he finally discovered his reward, which gave him inner joy for a lifetime. However, the most important skill Santiago was taught, was to read and follow the omens which led him to his Personal Legend, the one true purpose for any given soul. When Santiago found his Personal Legend, he knew that all the blood, sweat, and tears he gave were well worth it for what was found; no one could ask for anything more.
One archetypal symbol that sets a strong foundation for the main theme, is Santiago's sheep. When Santiago was a shepherd, he noticed that his sheep "never have to make any decisions", and have "forgotten how to rely on their own instincts" (Coelho 7). These quotes were not written to make the sheep seem dumb, but they label the sheep as followers that do not venture beyond boundaries. The sheep may not seem like it at first, but they are an essential piece of Santiago's journey because they lead him to find his Personal Legend. When Santiago leaves his sheep for his journey, he essentially is beginning that transformation from a sheep to a new soul that strives for his legend because "the Earth is constantly being transformed... because it has a soul" (Coelho 43). Santiago's flock of sheep represent human's that have not, or are still finding their Personal Legend. Santiago's sheep transform as well, some of his sheep often flee from the flock, which allows the reader to tell that all human's that have not found their legend still have chances to find it. In a way, Santiago's sheep do not just represent lost souls, but people's wrong turns or dead ends on their way to finding their Personal Legend, they just "seek out shade", or only have a need to get by (Coelho 157). When Santiago enters the city to sell his flocks wool at the beginning of the story, he is nearing the end of his journey that he has not even started yet, until the king arrived. He almost became a sheep that only wished to get by and never knows of the bright future ahead of him. As Santiago realized his new path shown to him by the king, he realizes the mistake he nearly made and begins his adventure.
By the end of his journey, everyone can feel Santiago's joy through Coelho's writing. His inner joy, or treasure, that emits through the pages reassures every reader that Santiago has found what he was destined to do, because he saw "all the marvels of the world, and never forgot the drops of oil on the spoon" (Coelho 34). The real oil on the spoon was Santiago's final wish, experiencing his legend and finding joy along the way. Although Santiago did find physical treasure by the end of his adventure, the most satisfying reward that he got was the experience of seeking out his legend, and finding many lifelong friends along the way, which enriches the plot. With both the physical and psychological treasures being uncovered, Santiago realizes the inner and spiritual gains that he achieved throughout his venture. These gains were made of "pure matter, it will never spoil" (Coelho 130). Santiago found what millions of people are striving to do, and others never even find out of their Personal Legend so they never get a chance to achieve. Santiago does not just find this treasure, but he realizes his potential throughout all the trials he faced. Not only did Santiago believe in himself enough to achieve what he could only dream of, but he experienced some of the best things life could offer, like reaching "every corner of the world, cross the seas, blow away the sand that uncover my treasure" (Coelho 146). Santiago looks up to the alchemist in every way, whether it be to his experiences, or the skills and lessons he has stashed away in his head. Without the need to strive above and beyond, Santiago would have never been able to even think of the outcome that he could achieve. Both of the treasures Santiago discovers gives him a new outlook on life and enriches the plot with an enjoyable outcome.
The desert in The Alchemist represents a very arduous, long, and tiring ending to an already lengthy journey.

As Santiago's final piece of his journey, it is obvious that the desert was the most significant part, due to him finding his true power since the desert "challenges all men" (Coelho117). Santiago learned of his inner power and the final clue to his treasure in the desert. Not only did he find his inner self, but over the many years that he traveled he matured into a wise young adult. His progression of maturity allowed him to accept his final clue which essentially is a slap to the face, making him travel all the way back to where he began. Trudging through the desert made Santiago like a sponge, soaking up knowledge both from the desert and the Alchemist because Santiago "learned the alchemist's secrets in his travel" (Coelho 154). These newly acquired skills gained from the desert contributed to the overall outcome of the story. His skills taught him how to converse with the wind, which saved his life and saved the journey. Santiago's fate was revealed to him in the desert, and the only way he knew that he had the will power to continue was through the word "maktub," which, translated, it means that fate will reveal itself and let us unite. Many people ,such as Fatima, told Santiago this phrase and reminded him that if they were to be together, fate would allow them to. Fatima was not only a love interest in the story, but convinced Santiago that his legend was worth all the trials. Without the testing desert, Santiago would not have been able to learn all the things he needed to, which would allow him to accept his

fate.
After all the skills, lessons, and tasks Santiago learned and bore through, he not only was rewarded with a treasure that could be enjoyed by anyone, but he also gained a treasure that only he could enjoy, an individual treasure. This individual treasure was something that no one else could enjoy due to the fact that it is only a treasure to the individual that seeks it. If someone were to receive the individual treasure that Santiago worked for, they would never be able to realize the value as much as Santiago. This is the reason why everything Santiago gave up to realize his true meaning was well worth it for the feeling to be at peace with oneself.