The Pursuit of Dreams
Sometimes in life, when a person wants something with enough passion, everything seems to go perfectly accordingly to how it was planned. Paulo Coelho, the author of the Alchemist, calls this desire a personal legend. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is, and at that point in their lives everything is clear and possible. However, as time goes on, a mysterious force seems to blind us of achieving that goal. Through Santiago, the main character, and his attempts at reaching his personal legend, we can be reminded of our own personal legends and become more aware of everything around us.
When the story begins, we find Santiago as a young shepherd whose life is spent fulfilling his passion of traveling by herding his sheep through the fields and towns of Spain. He wakes one night in the middle of a re-occurring dream of discovering a buried treasure at the Pyramids of Egypt. After Santiago has his dream, he is soon visited by Melchizedek, the mysterious King of Salem, who tells him that soon after someone realizes their personal legend, all of the universe conspires in helping them achieve it, but only for a little while. After embarking upon his trip to Egypt, all of his money is stolen, leaving him with nothing. He must now struggle against not losing sight of his dream and his destiny.
The forces that keep Santiago in sight of his personal legend are not determination, but trust, fascination, and wonder. A scene that shows these attributes comes after Santiago leaves a comfortable oasis in Egypt, to attend to his dream once more. As he pauses in the desert, a horseman dressed in black rushes him, with a sword raised to kill. "Who dares read the meaning of the flight of the hawks?" he demanded. He does not flee nor does he attempt to fight and protect himself. Instead, Santiago bows his head for the blow and says, "It is I who dare to do so. Many lives will be saved because I was able to see through to the soul of the world." The man in the black slowly lowers his sword and explains to Santiago that he is the Alchemist. The things that Santiago learns from the relationship that they eventually form, show the boy’s lack of knowledge on how to attain one’s personal legend while also staying true to his dreams. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies, "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity."
I thought that Paulo Coelho did an outstanding job in writing this book. I have never read a book that is capable of changing the reader’s life or the way that one looks at certain things. Gail Hudson, of Kirkus Reviews, and I agree on many aspects of the book and Paulo Coelho. She thinks that the book is "a bag of wind" that "Americans should flock to like gulls". We also agree on the extraordinary writing skills of Paulo Coelho. He has been praised for his work on this book by Noble Prize winner Kenzaburo Oe, Madonna, and Julia Roberts. He is the second best-selling author in the world, selling 23,000,000 copies in more than 100 hundred countries, and is published in more than 42 different languages. He has been recognized by the governments of 36 different countries for his writings and had won awards in France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Ireland, Spain, and the World Economic Forum. As Gail Hudson says, "A message clings to everything in the book", therefore this book is full of little messages that remind us of our dreams and reignite a passion to achieve it.
This is a beautiful book about life and the way it should be for each of us. It is more of a fable and after you read it you realize that it is just a look into yourself at something you have known all along, but too many of us tend to forget. I was lucky enough for someone to share it with me, and after reading it I would recommend that everyone read this little fable about following your dreams.
Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. San Francisco: Harper Flamingo, 1993.
Hudson, Gail. "A Magical Little Volume." Rev. of The Alchemist. Kirkus Reviews
1 May 1993.
Coelho is a Brazilian writer with four books to his credit. Following Diary of a Magus (1992–not reviewed) came this book, published in Brazil in 1988: it’s an interdenominational, transcendental, inspirational fable–in other words, a bag of wind. The story is about a youth empowered to follow his dream. Santiago is an Andalusian shepherd boy who learns through a dream of a treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. An old man, the king of Salem, the first of various spiritual guides, tells the boy that he has discovered his destiny: “to realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation.” So Santiago sells his sheep, sails to Tangier, is tricked out of his money, regains it through hard work, crosses the desert with a caravan, stops at an oasis long enough to fall in love, escapes from warring tribesmen by performing a miracle, reaches the pyramids, and eventually gets both the gold and the girl. Along the way he meets an Englishman who describes the Soul of the World; the desert woman Fatima, who teaches him the Language of the World; and an alchemist who says, “Listen to your heart.” A message clings like ivy to every encounter; everyone, but everyone, has to put in their two cents’ worth, from the crystal merchant to the camel driver (“concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man”). The absence of characterization and overall blandness suggest authorship by a committee of self-improvement pundits–a far cry from Saint- Exup?ry’s The Little Prince: that flagship of the genre was a genuine charmer because it clearly derived from a quirky, individual sensibility. Coelho’s placebo has racked up impressive sales in Brazil and Europe. Americans should flock to it like gulls.
Другие работы по теме:
John Steinbeck Of Mice And Men Essay
, Research Paper Death of Dreams Bill Cozad American Literature 12-21-00 Warren French put it best when he said ?maturity means the destruction of dreams.? Children and those with childish minds often use their imagination to put themselves in wonderful places. That does not make them any less intelligent than those who don?t have dreams, there just less experienced in life.
Of Mice And Men
– Hopes And Dreams Essay, Research Paper ofmiceandmenthesis Hopes and dreams are both the fuel and fire in Of Mice and Men. Stienbeck uses these to thicken the plot and make the reader take large interest into the character?s outcomes.
Clerk Typist Essay Research Paper There is
Clerk Typist Essay, Research Paper There is something mysterious and powerful about dreams. For many years, I have wondered what dreams are really made of. I came up with two possible answers. First, I think dreams can provide an escape from or evaluation of every day reality. And secondly, I believe that certain images can be translated to provide hidden answers to daily problems.
Struggling Essay Research Paper The play Raisin
Struggling Essay, Research Paper The play Raisin in the Sun deals with an urban family and their pursuit of their dreams. The family has to work to overcome the poverty that they live in before they can pursue those dreams. This poverty is shown through the worn appearance of their apartment. Rose and Mama try to make their poor apartment appear to be a home in where there is still hope.
Three Goals Essay Research Paper Life is
Three Goals Essay, Research Paper Life is a continuous journey. So far, my journey has been a quest to fulfill happiness, a search for knowledge and a longing for wealth. Throughout the years, I have been in pursuit of these goals. What I have achieved is merely the tip of the iceberg compared to my dreams, but the passions that drive me will not cease until they have been satisfied.
Dreaming Through Reservation Blues Essay Research Paper
In Reservation Blues, Sherman Alexie extensively uses dreams to portray the relationship between white people and Native Americans. The dreams depict a constant struggle between the two societies, as well as a gradual extinction of the Indian culture. A complete picture of the Native American way of life could be seen from examining these dreams—and its not a pretty one.
Dreamer
’s Dream Essay, Research Paper You may cry and wipe your tears away, Bleed may you do till the end of days, You may see and dream the bay Of stones and shadows of sorrow today.
Decartes Meditations Essay Research Paper In Descartes
Decartes Meditations Essay, Research Paper In Descartes Meditations he talks about many different things. Two things he talks about are his arguments on Dreams and what he calls the “Evil Demon”. Both of them have to do with deceiving the mind into believing in things that may be untrue.
Into The Twilight Essay Research Paper She
Into The Twilight Essay, Research Paper She, the Innocent One, Calls to me. She tightens her thighs, Wanting tenderness and gentleness, Not withered dreams and darkness.
Poem I Dream Essay Research Paper I
Poem: I Dream Essay, Research Paper I dream of a life that me and you will forever share Where we eventually call home, I really dont care I dream of a time when I will again be the one that you trust
Untitled Essay Research Paper With the story
Untitled Essay, Research Paper With the story unfolding out in the vein of a Greek tragedy, F. Scott Fitzgerald, with his quintessential work The Great Gatsby, has created a novel that destroys the illusion of the American Dream – a dream of money, wealth, prosperity, and happiness. The American Dream is shown to be a tragedy, an achievable goal that was a catalyst to the ruining of dreams and dashing of hopes, best represented by the turmoil and dealings of the book’s protagonist, Jay Gatsby.
Dream Interpatation Essay Research Paper DREAM INTERPRETATIONThere
Dream Interpatation Essay, Research Paper DREAM INTERPRETATION There are many different interpretations of dreams and dreaming. These interpretations tend to fall into two main categories. There is the physiological approach or the psychological approach. The physiological approach deals with the brain’s interpretations of nerve actions.
Just A Poem Essay Research Paper And
Just A Poem Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Critical Analysis Of The Concept Of Dreams
Essay, Research Paper The Destruction of the Dreamscape Critical Analysis of the Concept of Dreams Throughout the length of humanity?s existence on earth, we have wondered about dreams. Do they have a purpose? Are they a message from above? Or is it something for your brain to do while you?re snoozing? Cato once said, ?Take no heed of dreams? Maybe, Cato was right.
Field Of Dreams Essay Research Paper The
Field Of Dreams Essay, Research Paper The “Field of Dreams” Essay The Field of Dreams story has 5 characters that have a second chance in their life. In this essay the second paragraph would be about Ray Kinsella that if it is really heaven in the “field of dreams”. The third paragraph would be about John Kinsella & “Shoeless” Joe Jackson of both of them having a desire to play baseball.
Poem Do You Know Mom
…? Essay, Research Paper Do you know mom…? Every night before I go to sleep, I think about you, As I lay in bed, alone in my own little world of thoughts, You are there with me “my mother.”
Freud Dream Theory Essay Research Paper Freud
Freud Dream Theory Essay, Research Paper Freud has many theories in to the incite of the human unconscious. One of these theories is the dream theory. Many annalist think that dreams are the connection to our in most secrets and desires. Freud is among these people in thinking that dreams are the center of our repressed desires.
Dreams Essay Research Paper 1 11
Dreams Essay, Research Paper 1 ? 11 ? 2001 ?DREAMS? ~ An Analysis The poem ?Dreams? by Cecil Frances Alexander portrays very strong imagery, and has a message that ties in with the theme of this poetry notebook. The emotion shows the speakers feelings about being asleep as to being awake. Although there is nothing original about the layout and rhyme scheme of the poem, Alexander has a way of showing ones love for this dream world in which he knows only exists in sleep.
The Declaration Of Independance And Its Importance
Essay, Research Paper We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Crash Down Essay Research Paper And if
Crash Down Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
Dreams Essay Research Paper DREAMSDreams are an
Dreams Essay, Research Paper DREAMS Dreams are an essential part of our lives. It is the most important part of the sleep that people need in order to function. In order to understand dreams, one must understand the importance and function of dreams and the different theories surrounding dreams. I have several thoughts and opinions on the widely popularized theories, as well as well as ideas of my own.
Demian And Desires Essay Research Paper In
Demian And Desires Essay, Research Paper In the story, Demian, desires play an important role. When Sinclaire follows his desires something good almost always comes out of it. When Sinclaire does not
Etbh Essay Research Paper When we were
Etbh Essay, Research Paper When we were young,I just knew I would find you.I might not of known you,But I knew what you were feeling.The day we met I knew it was you,The one in my dreams.When I think of you I know my prayers have been answerd.All now that I can hope for is that you will always love me.And when the day comes that we shall part,and leave one another….
Dreams And Ambition Essay Research Paper I
Dreams And Ambition Essay, Research Paper I am sure everybody that still live in this world had their own ambition .For example, what is the dream of a fat ladies or men? Of
Poem Dreams Essay Research Paper dreams A
Poem: Dreams Essay, Research Paper dreams A dream is a dream, is a dream. So come with me to a place not so far away where a dream is a dream and skies aren’t so grey. A dream is a dream, is a dream. So come with me and fly away. So come with me and fly away to a place where there’s always a way, and no reason not to stay. So stay with me in this place tonight, I promise you I’ll hold you tight.
Psychology Dreams Essay Research Paper Dreams Dreams
Psychology: Dreams Essay, Research Paper Dreams Dreams, why do we dream. I thing we dream because we are thinking while we are sleeping and our brain puts those thought into a weird movie in our head. Some people think dreams are the keys to lifes problem. They say in your dreams there are symbolic things that mean something different.
Dreams Essay Research Paper Without dreams our
Dreams Essay, Research Paper Without dreams our lives would be empty. There is no person alive that isn t filled with dreams, goals and ideals. These things are a part of life and human nature. We all have the inbred desire for a good life. Dreams are vital to the life of every person. Without dreams, there is nothing to plan or look forward to; therefore, no reason to live.
Dreams Essay Research Paper A dream is
Dreams Essay, Research Paper A dream is a dream, is a dream. So come with me to a place not so far away where a dream is a dream and skies aren?t so grey. A dream is a dream, is a dream.
Dreams Essay Research Paper Buzz
Dreams Essay, Research Paper Buzz…! Click! This is what starts off my day as well as millions of other Americans. Sleep is essential to human growth and life. During sleep we dream, which is a way for our mind to set itself apart from the body and do whatever it desires. Dreaming is very complex and therefore hard to interpret since some can be controlled or linked to our feelings from a particular day.
Friends Always Essay Research Paper what is
Friends Always Essay, Research Paper what is a friend ? one who is caring, sharing,open and honest. one who won’t judge you,one who will take you for you.one who will put up with all your ups and downsone who is totally understanding. one who knows who you really are and accepts everything about you, one who respects you