The Alchemist Group

Question:

ootmluver
ootmluver
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What lessons does Santiago learn by working at the crystal shop in The Alchemist?

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Posted by ootmluver on Monday October 26, 2009 at 8:33 PM and tagged with character, characterization, crystal shop, lessons, santiago, the alchemist.

Answers:


  1. rugator Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    One important lesson Santiago learns is through the words (and inaction) of the crystal merchant. The crystal merchant, when asked by Santiago why he never travelled to Mecca, answers that "having the dream of traveling is more important than the actual accomplishing." Santiago witnesses firsthand the results (or lack thereof) of not fulfilling one's personal legend. This helps to motivate Santiago to fulfull his personal legend.

    Santiago also learned that he needed to be persistent in fulfilling his personal legend. Santiago had to "put his time in" at the crystal merchant's shop. He had to endure the frustration of working for someone else in order to solidify his desire to realize how important it was for him to move forward.

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    Posted by rugator on Tuesday November 17, 2009 at 5:57 PM