the_alchemist_study_questions Group 1 Justin Hodges
- 1. Justin Hodges 4/16/2016 Group c | LC2 BUS.101 Group 1 Questions Prologue and pages 3-10 1. Why does Coelho open with the modified myth of Narcissus? How does the new version differ from the original one? How does it change the myth’s meaning? What might the author be suggestion about how we perceive ourselves and the world? Coelho opens with the myth because Narcissus would be the very model or example of how “The Alchemist” may or may not play out. The new version differs from the original in that it shows the beauty of Narcissist and the lake instead of only self reflection or beauty of Narcissist only. The lake said, “In the eyes of narcissist I can see my own beauty”. The lake came to a realization that she was beautiful as well and wept that Narcissist may have seen this as well. The author might suggest that “perception is reality”. 2. The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence?How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his observation that they “have forgotten torely on their own instincts” foreshadow what might be coming in the novel? He observes that there are so many things to worry about when having sheep with you all the time. It’s a great symbolization of humans because we rely a lot on others, sometimes take advantage and burden others. It foreshadowers Santiago’s actions that he will start relying on other like the old woman over his instincts, he may or may not be steered in the right direction. 3. To what degree is Santiago’s father’s observation about travelers true about Santiago? Santiago’s father was right in the fact that travelers have freedom; they come in search of new things. Travelers move quickly. Travelers experience a side of life that not all people are able to experience because they sit inside towns all day. They can never experience the true beauty of our land. Pages 10-25 1. Why does the old fortune teller say that Santiago’s dream is difficult to interpret? Why is Santiago suspicious of her? The old fortune teller says that Santiago’s dream is difficult to interpret because she wants him to pay more for her to get more into detail over the interpretation. Santiago is suspicious of the fortune teller because he heard that they were unreliable and only did this for money. 2. The old man tells Santiago a story about a miner and an emerald. How does it connect to Santiago’s situation? What does the old man mean when he says that “treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents?” What does this quote
- 2. have to do with the story of the miner and the emerald? The miner and emerald story are similar to Santiago’s situation because he didn’t believe the story at first but then eventually the miner came into contact with the emerald but didn’t remember the old woman’s request and in turn suffered the consequences. I believe the quote means that that you should remember who got you to a certain part in life, Santiago got to that point by asking for the aid of others even though they seemed small. The same person to get you to a certain point in life can be the same person to be your downfall. I feel like it relates to Santiago because right now he is not self aware of him and he needs to before take a turn in his life for the worst and losses those precious to himself.