Essay Example on Santiago's Journey to Save for a Flock of Sheep

Introduction

Santiago, the young boy, feels frustrated by his job after working for about one month due to tedious work, and the Crystal merchant seems grouchy even though the job has decent pay. Santiago is determined to save for one year to buy a flock of sheep, and as a result, he decides to establish a display case outside the shop to attract additional customers. However, the crystal merchant feels customers may get through and destroy crystal (Coelho 21). He says that the business has been doing good and wonders why Santiago needs more, but the boy answers him that he wants to pursue his legend and move to the pyramids. The merchant lends not an ear to Santiago and does not understand why he is so much focused. He discourages him that the display case might turn out to be a great mistake. The merchant explains that he is guided by the Koran that makes little demands and, in the process, remembers that one of these demands is a pilgrimage to Mecca (Coelho 22). Visitation to Mecca has been his long term dream. Santiago questions him why he has never gone for the trip. Still, the merchant responds, saying that by so doing, he would have nothing to live for but eventually settles on his dream and agrees to create the display case, which multiplies customer traffic. Santiago realizes that he will be able to have enough within six months to go back to Tarifa and buy as many sheep as his desires want (Coelho 25).

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Quotes

"It's called the principle of favorability, beginner's luck. Because life wants you to achieve your destiny" (Coelho 21). (The quote goes in hand with the dominant theme here, that is determination. Santiago is determined to save a little of his earnings to buy a flock of sheep amid harsh job conditions. Ironically, the merchant crystal he initially opposes his idea of establishing a display case changes his mind and gives him the go-ahead (Coelho 22).

"...You have been a real blessing to me. Today, I understand something I didn't see before: every blessing ignored becomes a curse. I don't want anything else in life. But you are forcing me to look at wealth and at horizons I have never known." (Coelho 24). This quote from the old man illustrates the level of determination and focus from Santiago; he delighted by the efforts made by the boy towards his dream of owning multiple flocks of sheep. The old man has never seen this kind of seriousness from a young man like Santiago.

"I'm leaving today," said the boy. "I have the money I need to buy my sheep. And you have the money you need to go to Mecca." (This quote illustrates that Santiago has successfully acquired enough amount he needed to achieve his dream, his determination has yield into fruition).

"Never stop dreaming," the old king had said. "Follow the omens. " (Coelho 25). "When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it" (Coelho 26). ( The two quotes from the old man give credence to results of Santiago's determination; indeed, the whole world conspires to help him realize his dream, and he finally sets to the Tarifa to purchase numerous sheep has he always desired. His little earnings and unfavorable working condition did not stop him from achieving his dream.

Vocabulary

Grouch, "...although he was an old grouch, treated him fairly; the boy received a good commission for each piece he sold" (Coelho 21).

A tiresome work made Santiago grouch. (habitually grumpsy individual)

Crystal, "I'd like to build a display case for the crystal," the boy said to the merchant. "We could place it outside and attract those people who pass at the bottom of the hill."

The merchant stared around the crystal windows. (transparent glass).

A Pilgrimage, "Two days ago, you said that I had never dreamed of travel," the merchant answered. "The fifth obligation of every Muslim is a pilgrimage. We are obliged, at least once in our lives, to visit the holy city of Mecca" (Coelho 22).

The merchant crystal made a pilgrimage to Mecca. (journey).

Display Case, "I'd like to build a display case for the crystal," the boy said to the merchant. "We could place it outside, and attract those people who pass at the bottom of the hill" (Coelho 22).

Santiago made a display case to attract more clients to his shop (A case used for displaying goods in a shop).

Conspire, "When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it" (Coelho 26).

The old man did not cease to conspire with Santiago in his plans. (to work together).

Works Cited

Coelho, Paulo. "ALCHEMIST." (2016). Assessed: http://online.kottakkalfarookcollege.edu.in:8001/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1704/1/ALCHEMIST.pdf