Pre Reading Notes - The Alchemist

Coelho will open with the modified myth of Narcissus.

It will be important to understand this myth before we hear Narcissus mentioned in the novel.
Please research this myth and be ready to explain it simply to your classmates.

The myth was about a hunter from Thespiae in Boeotia who was known for his beauty, he rejected all
love until he fell in love with his own reflection in some water and stayed there for the rest of his life, this
represents being narcissistic. About the idea of a narcissist, his name is fitting since one such person has
extreme self-involvement to the degree of ignoring the needs of those around him or her.

The way that Paulo Coehlo introduces Narcissus, is as a god who contemplated his own beauty along the
banks of lake, only to drown. Later, a flower is born to the lake's question, finding that there was true
beauty between other people.

❖ Oprah claims that there is a rhythm to the energies of the world that Coehlo captures, as this is a pure
aspect of the world, the way one individual realizes they are alive. One can also allude to this idea of
mindfulness, and incorporate it everywhere.

❖ Paulo Coehlo claims that the language within this book was only created through trial and error, in
itself, this is a theme of the book.

❖ This book captures the idea that a person’s aspiration becomes part of the universe, as the universe itself
will conspire to help them to make it true.
1. The Alchemist is written in a fable format. What is a fable, and why would Coelho use it to tell
his story? Generally speaking, fables use recognizable, simple characters and settings in order
to illustrate a simple truth about life or human nature. What are common fables that we have heard as
children? Find five that you think your peers would remember.

A fable is introduced as a story which alludes to a stronger meaning, usually implied to an

audience about how to better go about certain situations. Common fables may include; The
Fox and the Hound, The Tortoise and the Hare, Goldilocks, The Paper Crane, or The Jug of
Ganymede.

2. Coelho states that “simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them.” Produce
a written or artistic response (or bring something to class) which depicts something that is “simple” yet
valuable to you. Be prepared to explain specifically why/ how the item is valuable.

Small Valuables can hold great meaning to other people for their appreciation of an object.
This contributes to how simple things can have great meaning, such as what life can give.

3. Coelho will open with the modified myth of Narcissus. It will be important to understand this myth
before we hear Narcissus mentioned in the novel. Please research this myth and be ready to explain it
simply to your classmates.

The myth was about a hunter from Thespiae in Boeotia who was known for his beauty, he rejected
all love until he fell in love with his own reflection in some water and stayed there for the rest of
his life, this represents being narcissistic. About the idea of a narcissist, his name is fitting since one
such person has extreme self-involvement to the degree of ignoring the needs of those around him or
her.

The way that Paulo Coehlo introduces Narcissus, is as a god who contemplated his own beauty
along the banks of lake, only to drown. Later, a flower is born to the lake's question, finding that
there was true beauty between other people.

4. What is alchemy? What processes were involved? Who performed it and why? Who were the
famous alchemists of the medieval period?

The study of Alchemy is about the transmutation and changing of objects which originated from
the 16th century. An alchemist who performed this was Giovanni Aurelio Augurello, as this
transformation became a philosophy, for learning what objects and people must go through certain
moments to go through change.

5. Who is Melchizedek? What role does he play in the Old Testament? How might a character like this
affect the protagonist, Santiago?
Melchizedek was a priest and a king connected to Jerusalem, as he plays part of the Old Testament
revered by Abraham. He actually plays as a former character within The Alchemist as a
motivating source to the protagonist beginning his journey.

6. What are the Five Pillars of Islam? What is the Koran? How might these faith guidelines affect a story?

The Five Pillars of Islam overlaps the idea of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage.
This pillars are meant to be ideals of the followers of Islam. The Koran from 1972 is located in the
Great Mosque, as a book of Arabic Text believed to be the word of god in Islamic Faith.

7. Explore the concept of Soul of the World as different religions and philosophies define it.

This is the concept of going off of one’s faith even if there is no clear explanation for the way the
world works. One must trust the world in order to become one with the world, just as the universe
is its own power. Philosophy defines the Soul of the World as a mystery which the study of
philosophy pursues, in order to understand the concepts of morality in the universe.

8. Research the tribal ways of the Bedouins of the Sahara.

The Tribal ways of the Bedouins are as Nomads or travelers contribute to a tribe within the
Desert. Within the origin of the Bedouins, they usually settle and cultivate crops, and uphold the
group’s survival by contributing to the community.

9. What are the basic theories of Freud’s or Jung’s dream analysis theories? There will be many dreams
mentioned in the novel. What should we consider about Santiago's dreams?

The basic theories of Freud and Jung include the idea that dreams represent unconscious desires,
wish fulfillment, and motivations. Jung mainly sees the dreams as an attempt of the mind within
the psyche as one person talking to oneself. When considering the dreams of Santiago, he may call
to question what his calling is if the dreams he has brings superstition.

10. Research levanter and sirocco. How will knowing about the regional weather features described in the
book add to a greater understanding of Santiago's journey?

For Levanter, strong Easterly wind surrounds the region, which can also be hot, dusty, or rainy.
Within Sirocco, there is hot, rainy weather within North Africa. According to Santiago’s Journey,
we can predict that the wind will bring Santiago to where he needs to go. We learn that Santiago’s
Journey starts along Italy, Jerusalem, Morocco, and other places too until the Sahara Desert.

11. Geographical Locations (Ask Mrs. Jewell to print a map)

○ Andalusia Al-Fayoum (oasis in Egypt)
○ Tarifa
○ El Cairum
○ Salem (Jeru”salem”)
○ Nile
○ Tangier
○ Coptic Monastery
○ Ceuta
○ Mecca
○ Sahara Desert