Journal Entries

The Alchemist

  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?