"Anyone who interferes in the destiny of others will never discover his own." The AlchemistĪlong Santiago's journey, he begins to realize that everyone must pursue his/her Personal Legend in his/her own distinct way. While this seems like a good idea at the time, the alchemist, who utters these words, knows that the decision will only lead to resentment in the future. This quote recalls the Santiago's temporary desire to delay the pursuit of the treasure in order to stay with Fatima. "A blessing rejected becomes a curse." The Alchemist Now, the alchemist (and, by extension one could argue, Coelho) considers a vast desert - from a visual standpoint, the simplest of terrains - and argues to Santiago that all beauty, all marvel, all complexity can be found within a given speck of that terrain. In Coelho's book, alchemy itself has become impossibly convoluted, when once upon a time the simplest of formulas could turn a common stone to gold. "You don't have to understand the desert: all you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation." The Alchemist That which is not living cannot communicate the Earth engages in conversation and is thus a living being - just like Santiago. Santiago's ability to communicate with the forces of nature (such as the Wind and the Desert) is itself both an act of communication across perceived divides and an act of transformation. This is because everything, including inanimate objects, has a soul, and that soul is connected to the Soul of the World. "Everything on the face of the Earth is constantly being transformed because the Earth is alive and has a Soul." The AlchemistĮverything on Earth is related. The world is itself a text, full of meanings to be deciphered and taught. Coelho underscores his concept of an all-encompassing unity, tying language (commonly considered a peculiarly human faculty) to the rest of nature. This language manifests itself in signs presented by nature. The notion of a universal language spoken by all creation is an important one in The Alchemist. It is just a matter of reading the inscription he wrote for you." The Alchemist God inscribed on the world the path that each man must follow. "In order to arrive you must follow the signs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |