What challenges does Santiago face on his journey in The Alchemist?
I would say that Santiago's first test is getting up the courage to tell his father that he wants to leave and travel the world. He knows that it will disappoint and perhaps even anger his father, but Santiago still asks. He even came away with his father's blessing.
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early setback was when Santiago was robbed. He had sold his sheep in order to finance his search for his Personal Legend, but soon after Santiago was robbed and lost his money. He recovered by getting a job with a crystal merchant. Within a year, he and the crystal merchant had become wealthy men.
Santiago then continued on his quest to find his Personal Legend. The next setback was learning that he must stay at the oasis, because the caravan refused to continue on to the pyramids. The caravan would stay put until it was safe to travel again. Unfortunately the bands of robbers attempt to come into the oasis. Santiago had a vision that they would attack, so the oasis was able to defend itself.
That is not the last time that Santiago had to deal with Arab marauders though. Santiago and the alchemist are both captured at one point. Santiago was only days away from reaching the pyramids that he had been so desperately seeking. Santiago once again was forced to give up all of his money. This time it was to save their lives.
Later, Santiago was digging for his treasure, and he was again accosted by robbers. They beat him until they discovered that Santiago had no money.
I might say that his final setback was discovering that the treasure he so desperately sought was back in his hometown. That's not a terrible setback though, because he got to go back home and got rich in the process.
In The Alchemist, what challenges does Santiago face and overcome, and why are they important?
The Alchemist is a wonderful story that mixes fantasy and reality as it weaves the tale of Santiago pursuing his Personal Legend. Santiago is faced with many challenges throughout the story, and many of them are indeed life threatening, like when he has to deal with marauding bandits that don't respect his life or belongings. These are serious encounters, and they give Santiago very good reasons to give up and return home. It is the safer and easier option. Additionally, by returning home, Santiago doesn't risk failure. If he tries and fails, that could be an emotional setback. The other benefit of giving up the Personal Legend pursuit is that it would actually keep the dream alive. This may sound odd, but by not pursuing the goal, the goal always remains as a possibility. That is a hopeful outlook and one that is presented to Santiago through the crystal merchant.
Because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the same, these mute crystals on the shelves, and lunch and dinner at that same horrible café. I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll have no reason to go on living.
The crystal merchant admits that if he realizes his dream, he might feel as if he has no other reason to go on living. Santiago is definitely tempted by the notion. He can either return home to family and safety or he can continue working for the crystal merchant and earn decent money. In both cases, Santiago would likely live out a long and happy life. While this particular test isn't life threatening, it is an experience that tests Santiago's resolve for finding his Personal Legend.