1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Personal Legend is Your Destiny
There are 4 obstacles to overcome before you can achieve your Personal Legend
People tell you that your dream is IMPOSSIBLE to achieve
LOVE
FEAR OF DEFEAT
FEAR OF REALIZING THE DREAM

2. Paulo Coelho
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1947
Successful career as popular songwriter.
Dropped out of law school in 1970
Traveled through much of South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe.
1974 imprisoned short time by the military dictatorship then ruling in Brazil.
1980 walked the 500-plus mile Road of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
"I always knew,” he says, "that my Personal Legend, to use a term from alchemy, was to write.“

3. What is Alchemy?
Medieval scientists practiced alchemy, hoping to produce gold from less valuable metals. (Turn metal into gold)
They believed that all objects consist of water, air, fire and earth
Founded in Egypt, alchemy was practiced throughout the Mediterranean regions and as far away as China
Early alchemy was controversial and was opposed by many rulers and religions
Alchemists also desired to develop potions, known as elixirs, to ensure good health and extend life spans. (The Philosophers Stone and/or The Elixir of Life)

4. Central Themes in The Alchemist
Discover and pursue your Personal Legend despite the many distractions placed in our path
Trust your heart
Read the seemingly inconspicuous signs
Understand that as you look to fulfill a dream, it looks to find you, if you let it
Sometimes you can find extraordinary in the ordinary.

5. Archetypes in the Alchemist
Character Archetypes
The Child
The Merchant
The Alchemist
Star Crossed Lovers
The Englishman
The King
Situational archetypes
The Task
The Quest/Journey
The Obstacles/Fall
The Resolutions
Symbolic archetypes
The Oasis
The Soul of the World
The Unspoken Language
The Language of the World
Personal Legend
Principle of Favorability
Urim and Thummin
Philosopher’s Stone
Elixir of Life
Emerald Tablet
A symbol which recurs often enough in literature to be recognizable as an element of one's experience devises an elaborate classification of modes, symbols, myths, and genres. It establishes a comprehensive correspondence between the basic genres- comedy, romance, tragedy, and irony. And the myths and archetypal patterns associated with the seasonal cycle of spring, summer, fall, and winter.