Journal Assignments
Each journal assignment should
be a full-page minimum for full points. You must write on two of the topic ideas in order to reach the
full page.
Journal Entry 1
1. Respond to the
four obstacles described in the Introduction.
Do you agree or disagree with the obstacles? Explain.
2. Why do you think the Alchemist thought the story of
Narcissus was beautiful? What is the
moral of the story or the purpose for including the story in the prologue?
3. Do you believe the
world’s greatest lie? Why do you think
that people believe in this idea?
4. Do you believe
that our dreams can come true? Can
dreams be interpreted? Do dreams
actually mean something? Have you ever
had a dream come true?
5. Right now, at this point in your life, what is your
personal legend?
6. What is beginners’ luck?
7. Santiago feels isolated
and alone because he does not speak Arabic and the “infidels” look
different than he does. Have you
ever been in a situation where you were the outsider? How did that feel?
8. Santiago is fooled by a
thief. Have you ever thought that
you could trust someone and been very wrong?
9. When Santiago first realizes that he has been
robbed, he continues to look at the sword for a while, delaying the moment
when he has to face the truth. When
is a time that people ignore the truth or delay admitting the truth? Have you done this at any point in your
life?
10. Santiago states, “I am like everyone
else-I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what
actually does.” What are some
things that cause people to be blinded to the truth? What are you stubborn
about and only see one side? Do you
know? Can you know?
11. Sometimes life is all
about how you look at things. Santiago states,
“This wasn’t a strange place; it was a new one.” What are some times in your future that
will require you to have a positive outlook in order to be
successful? Was there a time in
your past that also required this?
12. The crystal merchant
believes that he is too old to do anything new and that his life is
stuck. Do you know someone who is
stuck in a life they don’t like?
What would it take to get them to change?
Journal Entry 2:
1. If the world conspires to
help you achieve your personal legend, why does tragedy befall our main
character? The King of Salem talked
about this.As a traveler, Santiago is not required to maintain relationships with the
people that he meets. In the seminary, however, he had encountered the
same people day after day. Santiago bitterly reflects on life in the seminary
in the following passage:
“If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become
angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should
lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” (Pg. 16)
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Write an entry that
voices your opinion by providing your observation of human behavior. If
possible, include an example that supports your view. The entry should
not exceed one page.
2. Santiago meets Melchizedek, an old king, who initiates a philosophical
discussion about personal freedoms. Melchizedek states that most people
believe they have no control over their lives because their lives are dictated
by fate. Consider the king’s perspective, and provide short answers for
the following questions.
Please use complete sentences for your answers.
A. Is Santiago in charge of his life as he asserts, or is it his fate to travel?
How can you tell the difference, if at all?
B. Have you ever felt that an event in your life was out of your control
and that you had no way to alter its course?
C. Have you ever made a decision that you knew would change
your life?
D. Do you believe in fate?
