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.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more