Into the Unknown: Courage

Take a Chance

“People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don’t deserve them, or that they’ll be unable to achieve them” (Coelho 124). In Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, Santiago is a shepherd boy, who works in the fields of Andalusia, Spain. He has a recurring dream about finding treasure in Egypt. In search of his destiny, Santiago leaves all he has ever known and travels to Egypt to pursue his personal legend. Santiago is not afraid of achieving his destiny and when he’s courageous he is able to listen to his heart and learn about the world’s ‘Soul’ and language. Throughout his journey, he encounters many people who contribute towards his learning about omens, his heart, and the Soul of the World. Santiago possesses qualities such as being observant and courageous as well as having an open mind, all of which successfully help him achieve his destiny.

Throughout Santiago’s journey, he has to be observant in a variety of ways in order to achieve his destiny. When Santiago finds himself with no money or food in Africa, he feels deserted and alone. He then offers to clean glasses for a crystal merchant for little pay. The crystal merchant doesn’t get much business because his shop is on top of a large hill. Santiago observes that when people walk up the hill, they tend to be thirsty, but there is nowhere for them to get a drink. Santiago tells the crystal merchant this, and suggests that they offer tea in their crystal glasses. At first, the crystal merchant is hesitant, but then he agrees. Santiago’s observations result in the crystal merchant receiving a lot of business; he is thankful to Santiago because Santiago helped him. Working for the crystal merchant helps Santiago earn enough money to continue to be a participant in his destiny. Since he also spent a long time there, he has immersed himself and understands a culture different from his own. This helps him achieve destiny because he understands that there are other people in the world who have different values from his own, whom he should still respect. Another example that illustrates Santiago’s observance is when he is traveling in the caravan to Al-Fayoum. He meets an Englishman on the way, who teaches Santiago about alchemy, and lets him read his books about the topic. Santiago tells the Englishman that the desert can also teach them about the Soul of the World, just like the book. “He found it much more interesting to observe the caravan…’I have watched the caravan as it crosses the desert…the caravan and the desert speak the same language, and it’s for that reason that the desert allows the crossing” (p.72). Observing the desert helps Santiago learn about the Soul of the World because everything in it is connected. He learns that the desert challenges the caravan and tests it to see if it can survive the journey. His understanding of the Soul of the World is one of the many parts that make up Santiago’s destiny. Finally, Santiago observes the flight of the hawks. One night, at the Oasis, Santiago wanders out into the desert, looks up and sees two hawks. While observing them, Santiago has a vision. “A fleeting image came to the boy: an army, with it’s swords at the ready, riding into the oasis” (p.95). Santiago was shocked at what the omen had told him, so he spoke to the chieftains to warn them about what was going to happen. The chieftains were surprised and wondered why the omens were showing themselves to a simple boy who was just observing the desert, but they decided to believe him, but for a price. They would kill Santiago if no enemies came. Santiago risked his life to save the oasis, and his prognostications were correct. Through this experience, Santiago truly understands that if he dies, at least it was in pursuit of his destiny. He would have followed his destiny: something that many others wouldn’t dare to do. When Santiago is observant, it helps him along his journey; however, he still needs to have courage in order to overcome the challenges he encounters.

Another trait that Santiago possesses is courage. First, Santiago has the courage to become a shepherd. When he was younger, his family wanted him to become a priest, so they made him study Latin, Spanish and theology. They also put money aside for him, which was difficult for them, as they were only a peasant family. However, all his life Santiago knew he wanted to travel the world, and if he had to be a shepherd to do that, he would become a shepherd. This choice made early in life shows that Santiago possessed courage from the beginning. Becoming a shepherd was only the start of his destiny, and if he hadn’t had the courage to do that, he would never have been able to find his treasure. Another example of Santiago’s courage is when he decides to leave the Andalusian countryside and travel to Egypt. When Santiago meets the old king, Melchizedek, he is forced to choose between all he has ever known, or pursue his destiny. “He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have” (p.19). This quote describes how Santiago wants to find his treasure, but isn’t sure if he should. Santiago comes to the decision that he shall pursue his destiny, which shows courage. It also makes Santiago content with his life because he knows he is one of the few people who want to achieve their personal legend. A fine example is when Santiago meets Fatima, a woman of the desert. He instantly falls in love with her. When the alchemist tells Santiago he must leave her in order to continue pursuing his destiny, Santiago is hesitant. He states, “I also have Fatima. She is a treasure greater than anything else I have won” (p.110). The alchemist tells him that if he does stay with Fatima then it isn’t true love. Fatima also encourages him to leave her because she has always longed to look outat the desert and wait for her man to return. She knows that once he finds his treasure, he will return for her and they will get married. Santiago has to make a difficult decision but he knows that if he does stay, he will become unhappy because he didn’t pursue his destiny. His courage helps him to achieve his destiny because he can leave Fatima, and continue in pursuing his treasure. Santiago’s courage is critical if he wants to achieve his destiny, but he still needs an open mind in order to truly understand his purpose.

A final characteristic that Santiago needs in order to achieve his personal legend is an open mind. When Santiago began his journey on the caravan to Al- Fayoum, he meets an Englishman who is in search of a true alchemist, as he wants to be an alchemist himself. He teaches Santiago about the Soul of the World and lets him borrow his books on alchemy. Santiago is convinced that he can learn the same from the desert rather than through books. Santiago tells the Englishman this but he just thinks Santiago’s soul is too primitive to understand such complexities. Santiago’s soul, however, perfectly understands what the Englishman wanted him to learn from the books, but Santiago just learnt it from another resource. Santiago thought, “Everyone has his or her own way of learning things…His way isn’t the same as mine, but nor mine is his. But we’re both in search of our destiny’s, and I respect him for that” (p.80). Even though Santiago has a different opinion than the Englishman, he accepts what he thinks with an open mind. Another example that illustrates Santiago’s open mind is when he learns from the alchemist to listen to his heart. Once Santiago leaves the oasis with the alchemist to the Pyramids, the alchemist suggests he listen to his heart. He teaches Santiago that his heart is from the Soul of the World and even though it may be afraid at times, it’s only because it doesn’t want Santiago to lose everything he has won. By not rejecting but embracing his heart, Santiago learns from it and begins to understand it. “The boy continued to listen to his heart…He came to understand its dodges and tricks, and to accept it as it was” (p.124). Unlike many other people, with Santiago’s open mind, he learns from his heart, and his heart helps him, by showing him where his treasure is. A final example illustrating Santiago’s open-mindedness is when he turns himself into the wind. The alchemist tells some tribesmen that Santiago can turn himself into the wind. If he can’t turn himself into the wind, they will both offer their lives to the tribesmen. At first Santiago is afraid. He does not know how he will do it and he is afraid to die, however, the alchemist tells him that if a person is living his destiny, he knows everything he needs to know. Santiago finally talks to the wind, the sun and eventually finds himself in contact with God. “The boy reached through to the Soul of the world, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles” (p.145). When Santiago has an open mind, he can accept things for what they are, and can attain a higher state of consciousness. Turning himself into the wind helps Santiago successfully achieve his destiny because if he hadn’t, he would not have understood his true destiny, which was to become an alchemist. Not an alchemist that turns metal into gold, but an alchemist that can help others achieve their own destiny. Open-mindedness helps Santiago understand his purpose in life, to pursue his personal legend.

After traveling from Spain to Egypt in search of his treasure, Santiago discovers that his treasure is underneath a sycamore tree, back in Andalusia where he began his journey. Santiago was able to achieve his destiny through observing the desert and everything around him, having courage to pursue his destiny and by having an open mind while learning about the Soul of the World. Because of these qualities he changes and becomes a better person. Santiago’s journey teaches us to listen to our heart so we can achieve our own destiny. Knowing your destiny is important because it gives our life purpose and meaning and it brings us closer to God. Once we have pursued our own personal legend we can inspire others to achieve theirs. Anyone can achieve their destiny if they just take a chance.

Into the Unknown 2 - Chris Pointer

"The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure" - Sven Goran Eriksson

In life there are many obstacles to overcome, some people give up easily, in fear of failure, but I have courage to overcome the hurdles of life, and through my courage I can pursue my destiny. In the novel The Alchemist, Santiago needs courage in order to follow his heart, which leads him to fulfilling his personal legend. I feel that I have courage to pursue my destiny because I am not afraid of what awaits me. I am willing to accept new challenges, and will continue to do so in the future. One example that demonstrates I can overcome obstacles in life is that not only do I have to complete my 8th Grade work well, I also have to juggle the school play everyday till 6pm, soccer, dance and piano lessons. I want to do well in all these subjects and even though I have a hard time managing all of them, I have accepted the challenge, and taken a chance, which shows courage. Through this I have improved on managing my time and organization, and I have expanded my horizons, so in the future, I have many options which can help me fulfill my destiny. I may not know what is my destiny, but I am willing to look out into the unknown and accept what awaits me, knowing I have courage to overcome it.