The Alchemist Analysis Presented by Sir Faisal Irfan Presented by IQRA MUSHTAQ

Today's Objective Students will: identify various elements of a novel. analyze and evaluate key literary elements. apply the procedure to the novel “Alchemist”. 1/7/20192

Introduction to the Novel 1/7/20193

What is a Novel? Characteristics: a fictional prose work usually divided into chapters relatively long and often complex plot story traditionally develops through the thoughts and actions of its characters 1/7/20194

It's good to preview before reading Preview checklist: the title and author the front and back covers summaries or excerpts from book reviews information about author introductory material – dedication foreword, or introduction chapter names and illustrations 1/7/20195

Basic purpose when we reading a novel: To understand: who is telling the story (point of view) where and when the story takes place (setting) who are the main characters what the characters are like (type) what happens (plot) 1/7/20196

Continued You should also understand: the author’s central idea or message (theme) how the author expresses his or her ideas (style) 1/7/20197

Literary Elements 1/7/20198

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Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 1/7/201918

Plot Spanish shepherd Santiago dreams of a long-buried treasure in Egypt. Against his father's wishes, he sells his flock and uses the money to travel to Africa. During his journey, he swindled out of his money and accept the offer to work at a crystal shop in exchange for food and shelter. While working here, he decides to continue his quest. On the way to the pyramids, he meets an Englishman, Alchemist and some other characters. At last, Santiago reaches the pyramids. A group of men happens upon him and talk about some dream while beating him. Santiago realizes the treasure has been buried treasure in the church where he used to sleep with his flock. 1/7/201919

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Major Conflict The major conflict of the book is Santiago’s personal tension between completing his Personal Legend to travel all the way to Egypt to find a treasure at the pyramids and settling along the way for the treasures he has already earned. 1/7/201921

Setting (Time) The Alchemist is set in an indistinct time in the past. It is clearly a pre-modern time, before automobiles and most modern technology existed. 1/7/201922

Setting (Place) The main plot of the alchemist takes place in the Spanish pastures, the Spanish town of Tarifa, the city of Tangier in North Africa, and the Sahara desert (Egypt). 1/7/201923

Tone and Mood The Alchemist reads like an ancient myth or fable. It is happy, simple, direct, and mischievous. It also has elements of philosophy, morality and episodic tale detailing a hero’s adventures during his journey. 1/7/201924

Style Symbols: Santiago’s Sheep; Alchemy; The Desert Tense: The story is told in the past tense. 1/7/201925

Theme Themes: The Centrality of Personal Legends; The Unity of Nature; The Danger of Fear and Fear of Failure Motifs: Dreams; Maktub; Omens 1/7/201926

Narrator of Story Narrator's Point of View 1/7/201927

Narrator (Alchemist) The narrator is an anonymous omniscient observer. The narrator speaks in a simple tone and knows the thoughts and feelings of every character in the book. Point Of View (Alchemist) The point of view is third person omniscient, though the narrator focuses on Santiago’s journey. Occasionally, the narration will step back from Santiago and focus on other character, but it always returns to its protagonist. Notably, the narrator stops referring to Santiago after the first third of the book. Though the point of view comments on some of the characters’ innermost thoughts and desires, it is a mostly objective observer. 1/7/201928

Characterization Santiago (Protagonist): An adventurous young Andalusian shepherd determined to fulfill his Personal Legend, which is to find a treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. He is the main character and protagonist. Antagonist: The antagonist of the story changes along the way. Sometimes it's a character and other times it's a force, occasionally, the antagonist is Santiago himself. The thief in Tangiers also served as an antagonist, along with the obstacles Santiago faced during his journey. The Alchemist: A 200-year-old, extremely powerful alchemist living in the Al-Fayoum Oasis. He dresses in black, rides a white horse, and carries a scimitar, the Philosopher’s Stone, and the Elixir of Life. He often speaks cryptically, but he understands the Soul of the World and the importance of Personal Legends and it’s a static character. 1/7/201929

Characterization Minor Characters Caravan Leader Barkeep Candy Seller Young Man Santiago's Father Merchant The Monk Merchant’s Daughter Camel Driver Gypsy Melchizedek Dynamic Characters Crystal Merchant Englishman Fatima The Tribal Chieftain Of Al- Fayoum 1/7/201930

Thank You 1/7/201931

Any Question 1/7/201932