-
- QUESTION
Write a literary analysis essay about a literary element in The Alchemist. Your essay should be about 500–750 words.
• What is the theme of the novel? In your introduction, write a thesis statement that identifies the theme and briefly explains how the theme is developed. In your body paragraphs, give specific examples of scenes, characters’ actions, or symbols by which the author develops the theme. End the essay with a concluding statement that sums up your thesis and major supporting ideas in new words. Your conclusion may offer examples of how the chosen theme relates to real-life situations or other literary texts.
• Do a close reading of The Alchemist, taking notes about the literary element you selected. Include details from the text, and record their page numbers. Quote and paraphrase from The Alchemist in those details.
• Write a clear and precise thesis statement that makes a claim, states a position, or provides an evaluation or analysis.High school freshman level english class
| Subject | Essay Writing | Pages | 4 | Style | APA |
|---|
Answer
LiteraryAnalysis of The Alchemist
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a thought-provoking narrative of Santiago’s physical expedition from Spain to Africa, and his spiritual journey where he realizes the significance of fulfilling his Personal Legend. Alchemist's main lesson is about finding your purpose in life. During his trip, Santiago meets different characters and situations that guide him to pursue his Personal Legend, a goal he was determined to pursue. Personal Legend identifying your destiny in life and pursuing it. The book proposes that pursuing your dream at all cost is the only thing important in life. Often this implies avoiding things which are not conducive to attaining this dream. This paper advances the argument that character Santiago enables the Coelho’s Alchemist to demonstrate the theme of personal legend by learning lessons of endurance, belief in self, and sacrifice by relying on Melchizedek and Urim and Thummim.
Santiago started to pursue his Personal Legend through his encounter with Melchizedek, a wise older man. Melchizedek offers to help Santiago achieve his Personal Legend at a price. Santiago was to give his six sheep, and in return, Melchizedek will explain to him how to discover his hidden treasure. Melchizedek tells Santiago to go to the Pyramids of Egypt and advises him to follow the omens. Melchizedek provides Santiago with tools in case the omens are not clear. The tools he gave him were his gold breastplate, Urim, and Thummim for Santiago to use in knowing good or bad omens (Coelho, 2016). After demonstrating magical powers, he persuades Santiago to chase his dream and embark on the journey to discover the treasure in Egypt. However, Melchizedek cautions Santiago to make his decision if at all likely. Melchizedek explains to Santiago that he requested for the sheep because it encouraged him to decide to pursue his personal legend. For the reader, pursuing your dreams and achieving your destiny might appear like ambitious thinking, Coelho makes attaining these goals easier by convincing the reader to try it. Coelho portrays to us how even a wandering shepherd can do the incredible, after discovering what he should do. Hence, Coelho uses Santiago's character and encourages us to explore our dreams, understand our goals in life, and learn.
The author uses Urim and Thummim as a symbol of Santiago's guidance when reading omens becomes too challenging. Urim and Thummim are soothsaying stones that Melchizedek assigns Santiago. The stones are black and white, comprising colors signifying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses to questions. Melchizedek directs Santiago that the questions he asks the stoned must be objective. Due to this, the stone signified confidence and objective knowledge. Though Melchizedek provided Santiago with the stones, they likewise symbolize what he told Santiago to evade (Coelho, 2016). Melchizedek advised Santiago to avoid trusting in other things than himself in making a decision. Santiago depended on these gems on some circumstances in the book for comfort and reading the omens. Upon his initial encounter of loss and back luck, Santiago gets reassurance when the stones inform the king's blessings are still intact. When Santiago demanded a lot from the stones, they fell via a hole in his sack as a prompt that he is expected to be decisive.
In conclusion, the book strongly recommends that though the decision to pursue personal legend is completely up to the individual, the result is often better when the legend is attained. But as Santiago realizes as the book comes to an end, in this life, improvement does not come only from the modest attainment of the legend, but rather from the purpose and commitment that pursuit of the legend offers to one’s everyday life.
References
|
Coelho, P. (2016). ALCHEMIST.HarperOne
Appendix
|
|