Commencement Speech + The Alchemist Term Paper

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Who are the most important minor characters? What are their relationships to the protagonist? Select one minor character and show his significance to the novel.

The most important minor characters are the gypsy and the king who urge Santiago to first embark on his quest, and the Englishman and the alchemist who urge him to continue on to seek his desired treasure. But it is the alchemist of the title who instructs Santiago of the most profound truth of the novel, that treasure is not to be measured in monetary wealth, but in human relationships and insight. It is whom Santiago meets on the quest, not the destination that is important: "All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation" says the alchemist (132). Alchemy is about "penetrating the soul of the world" more than transforming lead into gold (142).

Q3. What are the relationships of the women characters to the men? Do they complement each other? If so, how?

Women mainly have a symbolic function in the Alchemist.

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Rather than distinct personalities, they either symbolize fulfillment (Fatima) or function as motherly or guiding figures, like the gypsy. In this typical quest narrative, women support the male quest rather than go upon quests of their own.

Q4. What is the main conflict? With which character is it most directly concerned? What other characters are involved?

The main conflict is within Santiago himself for fulfillment, although he does not realize this at first. Only by encountering the alchemist does Santiago realize that his true desire is not for gold, but for love. His love for another human being, for Fatima, is more priceless than jewels, and true alchemy is to experience a change in one's soul, not in one's monetary fortunes. Santiago finally learns how to lose his fear of suffering in pursuit of his heart's true desires.

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