‘I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things. I learned that many alchemists realized their destinies, and wound up discovering the Soul of the World, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Elixir of Life. But above all, I learned that these things are all so simple they could be written on the surface of an emerald.’ (Coelho 79) In the Alchemist, Santiago, a young shepherd, leaves his home in Andalusia to sell wool to a merchant. But this trip to the village is different from the others because he’s been having the same dream for two days in a row now. He dreams of a treasure, supposedly waiting for him at the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Santiago believes that the decisions he make are small ones, but these ‘minor decisions’ send him on a journey to achieve his personal legend. Santiago sacrifices a lot to fulfill this destiny, but he gets much more in return. He finally understands the true meaning of love, the soul of the world, and more importantly life. Santiago travels through the desert, achieving his destiny, with optimism, bravery, and determination.
Santiago’s optimism helps him achieve his destiny in many ways. When Santiago first met King Melchizedek, he gives him one tenth of his sheep, showing a sign of optimism, thinking that his ‘destiny’ might exist and might be worth looking for. Another sign of optimism that Santiago showed was when he was attacked at the pyramids. Instead of giving up after finding out that the treasure wasn’t hidden somewhere beneath the sand of where the pyramids stood, Santiago continued to follow the omens which lead him closer to his destiny, and success. After Santiago was attacked, one of the refuges told him that he once dreamt of a treasure, hidden in the roots of a sycamore tree in a ruined church. After he was attacked ‘...The boy stood up shakily and looked once more to the Pyramids. They seemed to laugh at him, and he laughed back, his heart bursting with joy. Because now he knew where his treasure was.’ (155). Without his optimism, Santiago wouldn’t have been able to visualize himself achieving his destiny, which would’ve pulled him back from achieving his destiny, and the difficult obstacles waiting for him. But to get pass these obstacles, Santiago needs much more than optimism.
These difficult obstacles forced Santiago to reveal his bravery, in order to take another step towards his destiny. At a point in his destiny, Santiago and the Alchemist end up in a military camp, where they encounter a group of Arab soldiers. The Alchemist bends the truth, explaining that Santiago is an alchemist. One of the soldiers ask ‘…What is an alchemist?” he asked finally. “It’s a man who understands nature and the world. If he wanted to, he could destroy the camp just with the force of wind”. (132-133). The ‘real’ alchemist explains to a group of Arab soldiers that Santiago can turn himself into the wind and destroy the whole camp. Santiago now has no way out and knows that he will suffer consequences if he fails. He doesn’t back out of this obstacle, showing bravery and determination. Santiago successfully turns himself into wind, showing bravery by going into the challenge, but also using his wisdom to get out of these situations.
Santiago not only uses his wisdom to pass his obstacles, but also learns many things that help him dodge these obstacles. During his first meeting with King Melchizedek, Santiago learns about one’s destiny and how every individual is assigned one, but not every single individual follows his or her destiny. He then learns about the Principle of Favorability, or as we call it, beginners luck. When Santiago seems to have made his final decision to go and pursue his destiny, he embarks on a journey, travelling across the desert to get to the pyramids. On a caravan ride, Santiago meets an Englishman, who is interested in alchemy. The Englishman teaches Santiago about the Soul of the world and that when you are connected to it you finally realize your destiny. Santiago also learnt to pay attention to small signs and read omens. ‘If either had joined this caravan based only on personal courage, but without understanding that language, this journey would have been much more difficult.’ the Englishman explained. The Englishman and the boy stood there looking at the moon. “That’s the magic of omens,” said the boy. “I’ve seen how the guides read the signs of the desert, and how the soul of the caravan speaks to the soul of the desert.” The Englishman said, “I’d better pay more attention to the caravan.” “And I’d better read your books,” said the boy’. (75-76). Santiago met a lot of people who directed him to the correct turning point in his path by gaining wisdom from each person he met along the way.
Santiago’s efforts finally paid off after he achieved his destiny and much more. Not only does he achieve a treasure, but he finally understands the true meaning of life, love, and the soul of the world. Santiago shows that if you want to succeed, you must work hard at it. Even if you have help on the way, you are still the captain of your soul.
