Obstacles In The Alchemist

In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho writes of four obstacles that hinder the finding of one’s personal legend. People will always say the things you want to do are impossible, these people are the first obstacle. The second obstacle is love, which is followed by the fear of defeat. Finally, the fourth obstacle is the fear of realizing your dream. In the course of 167 pages, the main character, Santiago, faces and overcomes all of these challenges.
From birth, Santiago’s parents wanted him to become a priest. Santiago did not agree. He wished to travel the world. To fulfill his dream, Santiago decided he must become a shepherd. By doing this, he overcame the first obstacle. Santiago fought through the layers of guilt, fear, and prejudice to tell the news to his father, only to receive his blessing. His father gave him money to buy a flock, and Santiago took it and set out to …show more content…
As stated in the book, “There was nothing to hold him back besides himself. The sheep, the merchant’s daughter, and the fields of Andalusia were only steps along the way to his Personal Legend.” Santiago gives up things he loves to pursue the journey to find treasure. He does this by realizing that he is the only one stopping him from reaching his goal. The second obstacle, love, has now been overcome.
After arriving in Tangier, Santiago’s money is stolen. He begins to work at a crystal shop to gain back his funds. While working there, he finds out that the crystal merchant really wants to take a trip to Mecca. When the merchant is asked why he has not, he replies that he would have nothing left to live for by completing his ultimate dream. Santiago sees him as an example of someone who has lived an unfulfilled life. The crystal merchant serves an inspiration for Santiago to not be afraid of defeat. He overcomes the third obstacle this way, and continues on his journey for