Skip to main content

In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, when the Englishman asks Santiago what the boy learned about alchemy from reading his books, Santiago sums up his...

The Englishman and Santiago share with each other what they have learned up until the time they meet one another in the caravan. The Englishman agrees to listen and observe omens like Santiago has learned to do so far, and the boy agrees to read the man's books to find out what they have to offer. Santiago reads, but he doesn't feel like he learns anything. The Englishman listens to everyone and everything in the...

The Englishman and Santiago share with each other what they have learned up until the time they meet one another in the caravan. The Englishman agrees to listen and observe omens like Santiago has learned to do so far, and the boy agrees to read the man's books to find out what they have to offer. Santiago reads, but he doesn't feel like he learns anything. The Englishman listens to everyone and everything in the desert, but the only thing he hears is talk of war.


What Santiago does gain from reading the Englishman's books is that he can apply what the books say about alchemists to his way of learning and understanding. For example, Santiago says that he learned from the books that alchemists simply realized their Personal Legends. As a result of realizing those legends, they also discovered the Elixir of Life, the Soul of the World, and the Philosopher's Stone. Santiago adds that all of this is so simple that it can be written on a gemstone, such as an emerald, and that all of the books make learning these things more complicated. In the end, the Englishman decides that Santiago didn't learn anything from his books just like he didn't learn anything by watching the desert.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...