The Alchemist Group

Topic: How is the "Force" of The Alchemist disruptive?

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How is the "Force" of The Alchemist disruptive?

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It could be argued that the force in "The Alchemist" is disruptive because it takes Santiago away from his peaceful life and makes him face all manner of trials and dangers. Santiago was, if you remember, relatively happy with his life as a shepherd, with his only desire other than that being the good opinion of a local merchant's daughter. The force - which is sometimes identified as God or the "Soul of the world" (p82) and represented by a variety of figures such as Melchizedek, the gypsy and the alchemist himself - provokes Santiago to leave his way of life behind to follow his destiny. Indeed the force could be seen as disrupting Santiago's life more than once - he is provoked to leave not just his life as a shepherd but later his place in the crystal shop and finally, and most painfully, his true love Fatima.

However it could also be argued that, far from being disruptive, the force is actually there to put Santiago on the correct path, the path that worldly things have taken him from. In this way it could be demonstrated that the comfort of his shepherding lifestyle, the wealth accrued in the crystal shop and the love he has for Fatima are the real disruptions.

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