The Alchemist: The Importance of Following Dreams

Nobody follows their dreams; in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist it is stressed that everyone has a designated personal legend. In the reading it demonstrates “people's inability to choose their own personal legends” inflicted by the world's greatest lie, “our lives become controlled by fate”. Coelho’s writing consists of Santiago, a boy whose legend was kindled by a dream, now he is attempting to reach it. The Alchemist shows how important it is for people to discover and accomplish their personal legends.

Not everyone follows their legends, only a select few do, in the beginning of the novel it is shown just who has the desire to accomplish their dream. The crystal merchant didn’t have the heart, he says “you know that I’m not going to go to Mecca.” Santiago had the youth and the desire to follow his legend and was told “you know that you’re not going to buy your sheep”. Even if an individual does not follow their legend, doesn't mean they don't have one. In The Alchemist Coelho states that” everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is.”, only a select few contain the drive to actually go for it. Evidence of this inference can be portrayed by the Englishman and the other people trying to understand the legendary emerald tablet. They all have realized that their legend is to obtain the philosopher's stone, yet only the Englishmen is actually going out and attempting to achieve his legend. From what the reader sees the Englishman is the only person who desires the philosopher's stone, that has the heart and the drive to go all in for his legend. All people have the potential to achieve their personal legend those who do have the desire and work hard enough to make their dreams come true.

It can be inferred from the The Alchemist that Santiago has the right personality and the ambition to find his treasure. A representation of his personality is when he meets Fatima, Coelho says, “the soul of the world surged within him.”, it reveals how Santiago knows the language of the world and how love is intertwined with it. He is described as determined and curious about the world, his dream ignites his desire to find is treasure and to learn about the world. He is one of the people built for their legends, unlike many others who are too precious to take the risk for their legends. In the text many people don't follow their legends, the baker and the crystal merchant know what their legend, their destiny is, but choose not to follow it. When an individual completes their legend, their situation improves, not just from the treasure, but from the experience. Santiago was graced with finding Fatima, learning about omens, and learning about love. Following dreams improves life even if the dream isn't actually accomplished. The people met, lessons learned, and the experience is what makes the journey worth it and is why it is important to follow legends.