Passion and responsibility are nearly always mutually exclusive, and the balance between them often creates dangerous conflicts. Paul Coelho explores this relationship in The Alchemist, where the main character, Santiago, is repeatedly faced with decisions between passion and responsibility. Santiago is forced to make the choice between passion and responsibility when he abandons wealth after leaving the crystal merchant, personal tradition when selling his sheeps, and romance when he leaves Fatima, all of which help Santiago overcome fear and achieve his Personal Legend, reinforcing Coelho’s message that one’s Personal Legend is the most important journey that an individual can experience.
For many, capitalistic greed can consume one’s life, …show more content…
Santiago lives as a shepherd for a long time prior to the novel, and develops meaningful connections with his sheep. He is seemingly content with his life, but when the old king explains the concept of Personal Legends to him, he can envision having a happier life. The king also claims that so few pursue their own Personal Legends because they fear change. The crystal merchant explicitly says to Santiago, “‘I don’t much like change,’” representing one who has given up pursuit of his Personal Legend and has become complacent. Santiago struggles with this decision because he maintains an emotional connection with his sheep, and is reluctant to leave them. He contemplates returning to his sheep later in the novel, saying “I know why I want to get back to my flock, he though. I understand sheep; they’re no longer a problem, and they can be good friends” (65). Santiago is passionate about tending to his flock because he is extremely knowledgeable about how to go about it, so it is close to his heart. He knows that remaining as a shepherd is easier for him, but he will not be happy. Facing the desert poses a much larger problem for Santiago, but he recognizes that overcoming obstacles is essential to achieving happiness and that this happiness is worth the risks. The alchemist also explains that the universe will always assist Santiago in his pursuit of his Personal Legend. Ultimately, Santiago realizes that he is fearful of change, which should not hinder him from his Personal Legend. This choice conveys Coelho’s message that taking risks and experiencing hardships is essential to being
For many, capitalistic greed can consume one’s life, …show more content…
Santiago lives as a shepherd for a long time prior to the novel, and develops meaningful connections with his sheep. He is seemingly content with his life, but when the old king explains the concept of Personal Legends to him, he can envision having a happier life. The king also claims that so few pursue their own Personal Legends because they fear change. The crystal merchant explicitly says to Santiago, “‘I don’t much like change,’” representing one who has given up pursuit of his Personal Legend and has become complacent. Santiago struggles with this decision because he maintains an emotional connection with his sheep, and is reluctant to leave them. He contemplates returning to his sheep later in the novel, saying “I know why I want to get back to my flock, he though. I understand sheep; they’re no longer a problem, and they can be good friends” (65). Santiago is passionate about tending to his flock because he is extremely knowledgeable about how to go about it, so it is close to his heart. He knows that remaining as a shepherd is easier for him, but he will not be happy. Facing the desert poses a much larger problem for Santiago, but he recognizes that overcoming obstacles is essential to achieving happiness and that this happiness is worth the risks. The alchemist also explains that the universe will always assist Santiago in his pursuit of his Personal Legend. Ultimately, Santiago realizes that he is fearful of change, which should not hinder him from his Personal Legend. This choice conveys Coelho’s message that taking risks and experiencing hardships is essential to being