Sep 22, 2015 10:34 PM
4276 Views
(Updated Sep 22, 2015 10:38 PM)
A dream is something that makes our life precede with determination, without the dream of achieving something, one cannot experience self-satisfaction. But, are we really following our dream or just going behind the virtue it offers? This is what Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist discusses with high flavors of motivation.
We may have prosperity which others don’t have. Still, there will be something we wish for, achieving which fills our heart with self-satisfaction.
‘A shepherd boy’s epic journey about following his dream’ is the basic plot of this book. Well, we have seen or read this plot in many old fantasy stories; the hurdles he face, his travel, the people he come across, his thoughts and finally the heights he achieve are the common elements of this genre. But what makes The Alchemist unique is its simple narration with lots of inspirational moments. Coelho mixes philosophy with fantasy to express his ideals; though there is a sense of unreality in it, the fantasy cover protects the plot from loops. Thanks that he adopted such an approach, without which the book wouldn’t have been so effective. And, there is a particular sequence where human involves in conversation with the nature, a well written sequence, which would’ve gone wrong without that fantasy approach.
“When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true” This is a piece of advice the old king gives to Santiago before he embarks on the journey of his dream and that means, everything is possible if one strictly believes in its possibility. The Alchemist is a house for motivational elements of this kind. Coelho depicts small stories in accordance with the basic plot and uses moments with symbolic significance, which coveys his ideals in a much better way. He uses the term ‘Personal Legend’, which clearly defines that one’s goal should be of a kind that fills ‘our’ unfilled areas of satisfaction and not what the world goes behind. The book even has a point that when we are on a journey to achieve something, God will be at our help in some form, which doesn’t help us directly, but makes us understand how to proceed. A woman’s faith, a worker’s obedience, a student’s anxiety and most importantly a lazy man’s fate everything is concentrated even in small amounts. The character of Santiago offers a personal feel to everyone for the passion he exposes in achieving his goal, an ever inspiring character. He doesn’t just personify a treasure hunter, but every living being in pursuit of dreams. Paulo Coelho’s writing is so close to the heart that a sense of energy will surely fill in the reader once he completes this book. He has even placed some surprises which are sure to entertain the reader. The words spoken by Alchemist to the boy in the final episodes are purely inspiring; one must read this book at least for that. The way we look at dreams, their implications etc are discussed in a good manner.
‘’……she has already her treasure: it’s you’’ says the Alchemist when the boy speaks about his lady love. This sentence didn’t seem that appealing for its male dominancy in enjoying virtue, while the women are meant to dream about their husband. May be, such was the condition in those times, yet I didn’t find justification in that statement.
On the whole, Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’ is an epic piece of art that can bring noticeable changes in one’s life if comprehended well. Even though, certain godly elements miss reality, they are ignorable for the lessons provided.
“In usual life, nothing changes; we lead a common life and die like everyone. If we decide to follow our dreams, we become the torch bearer for a group of people trying to achieve something”
