Section 1: Pages 1 - 50

Signposts:

  1. Again and Again - Coelho repeatedly writes about Santiago's job as a shepherd, and how he loves it so much because of the freedom it gives him to explore new places and see new places (although, I have to admit that this does sound pretty great). To travel and experience the world around him is Santiago's dream. I believe that the emphasis on this freedom to explore is foreshadowing for how this need will cause Santiago to find his true pot of gold at the end of his Personal Legend. I think that at the end of the story, Santiago will not wish to continue to roam Andalusia or Africa, but find that his true dream is something else. 
  2. Memory Moment - An important memories we read about in this section is of Santiago telling his parents he did not want to be a priest, but rather a shepherd (and his memory of the merchant's daughter). His memory of explaining to his father his need to see the world gives us some background not only to Santiago's personality, feelings, and previous life, but also gives us more information about his dream to explore. We can see how this need has changed Santiago's life. He went against what his parents wanted him be (although, luckily he had their blessing), and began to be a shepherd, and now we get to read about his travels on his way to the Pyramids of Giza. 


Reflection:
I was so incredibly sad when the boy in Africa took Santiago's money. Sadly, the irony of the situation was just a little bit funny. The boy that took his money, is the one that had warned him to beware of the thieves in the city. As a reader, I felt Santiago's sadness and hopelessness of having lost all his money in a foreign land, where he did not even know the language. Though, with this, I also felt the new-found hope and empowerment along with Santiago when he decided to reach for his Personal Legend, to continue his journey, and when he realized the unspoken language he shared with the crystal shopkeeper.

Discussion Questions: 

  • Who is Melchizedek? 
  • Do the old woman who interprets dreams, Melchizedek, and the Levanter each represent an archetype of the hero's journey? If so, which archetype are they? 

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