"The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can."
---Robert Cushing
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Explore and Discover
Nine Lives
Curiosity is a trait that has a negative and a positive side to it. Curiosity is also a trait I happen to have, for better or for worse. Santiago, a boy of many virtues, also has the trait of curiosity and this can be explained when he takes risks, risks that no one knows the outcome to. Curiosity will allow you to take risks, to explore and to question, but not always for the better. Curiosity can also lead to consequences, consequences that can affect you deeply. You first have to embrace curiosity before embracing challenges as curiosity motivates you, the thought of an un-scripted plan leaves you thirsty for an answer. I am not sure what my destiny is but when I find out, I hope that the curiosity I possess now will still be there, helping me to take risks, to explore and to discover.
Curiosity - Gerard Ter Borch
Humanites Essay:
Jonathan Ross Silva
September 15, 2009
Humanities Pink
Ms. S
Keep moving forward
“ ‘Many lives will be saved because I was able to see through the soul of the world’ ” (Coelho,105).By uttering these words, Santiago, a young shepherd boy from Andalusia, provided an indication of the surreal ability that he possessed, which was the ability to explore the soul of the world. In the story “The Alchemist”, Santiago sets forth from his beloved, familiar home in Andalusia, Spain, to seek out his destiny in Egypt. During the course of his intriguing journey, he meets various knowledgeable and experienced people from whom he benefits much by learning from them. Throughout the journey, which ultimately results in him attaining his life’s destiny, Santiago’s character is marked by determination, faithfulness as well as intuitiveness.
Determination played a great role in Santiago’s journey, as it helped him overcome many of the obstacles in his path. “But he didn’t stop. He struggled to continue as he fought the wind, which often blew the sand back into the excavation. His hands were abraded and exhausted but he listened to his heart”, (Coelho 153). These lines portray how hard Santiago worked to accomplish the things he felt obliged to finish. Santiago’s determination, which allowed him to ignore many of the negative elements encountered, including disagreements with his father concerning his career choice and future profile, was complemented by his strong faith. Faith was a major motivator not just for himself but also for others that that he encountered on his journey.
Throughout the course of the novel, the faith of Santiago is tested through the trials he faced. “….But the stones had told him that the old man was still with him, and that made him feel more confident. He looked around the plaza again feeling less desperate than before. This wasn’t a strange place, it was a new one…” (Coelho 39). This quote is an example of the strength of Santiago’s faith as it demonstrates that Santiago is faithful in Melchizedek’s prediction that he will find his treasure. Santiago is also faithful to those he loves such as when he returned to Fatima – the girl he loves, after having found his treasure. Santiago is, most importantly, faithful to himself and his heart. This is proven throughout the novel when Santiago needed faith to keep pushing forward and toward fulfilling his personal legend.
Santiago’s good intuitiveness helped in the progression of the journey towards realizing his destiny. “ ‘…. But the desert is so huge, and the horizons so distant, that they make a person feel small, as if he should remain silent ’ The boy understood intuitively what he meant, even without setting foot in the desert before...”, (Coelho 70). The explanation here by the camel rider regarding the force of the desert and Santiago’s ability to connect to what others are saying even without experiencing the situations before, demonstrates Santiago’s intuitive skills. Further important pieces of evidence concerning Santiago’s intuition are when Santiago had to decide whether or not he wanted to go in search of his destiny at the beginning of the book and his ability to make sense of what the hawks were trying to say. Intuition helped Santiago read the signs; the signs that helped him complete the journey.
Santiago is a unique character because he can see into the Soul of the World and communicate with God. Santiago is determined, faithful and intuitive. Santiago’s determination helps him accomplish his journey to find his destiny and his faith in himself motivates him to reach new heights. His intuition during his time in Africa helps him in his quest – his ability to read omens enables him to see signs in the world around him. The message that Coelho is trying to pass on to the reader is to persevere. Perseverance is the most important part of Santiago’s journey. Anyone can follow their destiny if they strive for their goals, if they keep trying and keep moving forward.
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