Alchemy Changes In The Alchemist

Social isolation is a social issue where people avoid contact with one society. They are commonly seen nowadays preventing people from interacting with another as well as creating reliable relations, abating any chances for one to realize their destiny. This negative spiral immensely affects the opportunity for people holding a feeling of love and community toward others.

“You can always turn a bad kisser into a good one,” Laura Prepon. Santiago, the main character of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist leads a modest and ordinary life as a shepherd. Santiago travelled constantly, exploring the Andalusian terrain. In his travels, Santiago met a woman who interpreted his dreams, and told him his treasure would lie in Egypt at the pyramids. However, Santiago believed that the dream interpreter was a phony, and he continued to herd his sheep. Soon after, he exchanged words with the King of Salem, and Santiago was once again told to venture to Egypt in order to find his treasure. After careful consideration, Santiago sells his precious sheep and begins his journey. An alchemist, somebody who turns lead

Alchemy can be described in multiple ways. One way that alchemy is portrayed is as a “primitive precursor” for modern science and medicine practices (Bobory & Rampling, 2012). The practical and experimental side

1) What is alchemy? What processes were involved? Who performed it and why? Who were the famous alchemists of the medieval period?

Alchemy (Early Chemistry) was another science closely related to medicine. Alchemy was the name given to this science in Latin Europe in the 12th century. It was a belief that the human body was closely related to the stars and the heavens. Over hundreds of years, the main goals of alchemists were to turn any metal into gold and discover an elixir which could cure all ills or lead to immortality. This magical elixir was called the philosopher’s stone. Alchemy was based on the belief that there are four basic elements – fire, earth, air and water – and three essentials – salt, sulfur and mercury. The metals gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, and tin were all known before the rise of alchemy. The liquid metal, mercury, and the burning rock, sulfur, were also known. Many processes with these elements were known to alchemists. The art of alchemy was heavily spiritual. Alchemists were the first to try out different ideas and experiment with different elements, but because of their intense metaphysical and spiritual beliefs, they didn’t develop modern day scientific methods.

1. In the Alchemist, it says that our lives are incomplete without love. What do you think

Some may refer to The Alchemist as a best-selling novel written by Paulo Coelho which explains the ideas of having a dream, or Personal Legend, and going through obstacles to conquer it. The book starts off like any other, introducing and describing the main characters, in this case Santiago is the first to share the interest of peers reading the story. He is said to be a small town shepherd boy who will do anything for his flock of sheep. In the opening scene of the story, Santiago takes his flock to an abandoned church and lies down under a sycamore tree hoping to get some rest. He is soon woken up from a disturbing dream which foreshadows further into the story of his own Personal Legend. Later in the book, Santiago is faced with multiple tests to be successful in finding his treasure. “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure” (Coelho 15). Paulo continues to add characters in the book that help Santiago throughout his journey.

Alchemy, as described in the story, is the study of creating the perfect metal, gold. Al, the "chemy-lion", describes Alchemy as achieving perfection of any kind, whether it be spiritually, mentally, physically, or even chemically. This part of the book sets the mood for the overall lesson the reader is supposed to attain. In chapter three, the elements hold a meeting for Julie, however they call her "Human!". She 's describing her problem in her world to the elements during the meeting. They trace the issues back to chemistry. Although not officially proclaimed as the problem, but more as a solution. With the help of an old friend, Kalium, Julie is able to try and save the world from the catastrophes of the modern day. In the third chapter, it is revealed to the reader that Al the chemy holds all of the secrets to the study of alchemy.

The Alchemist is a book written by Paulo Coelho. The Alchemist is a book about Santiago, a young boy who is trying to find his personal legend. Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life. There are many ways that Santiago’s journey is like the Buddhist’s quest for enlightenment.

In the beginning of his journey, the merchants unwillingness showed Santiago that he did not need an exterior force to push him towards his dreams, just his self-belief. Then, the Englishman taught him that as long as he had determination and wanted something, the Soul of the World would guide him to it. While crossing the desert, Santiago’s attention to all the components instilled the message to notice all details in life. Fatima’s leniency towards Santiago leaving showed that no matter how far a couple is, true love prevails, as Santiago eventually returned to Fatima at the end. The final lesson Santiago learned from turning into the wind and circling back to his beginning, was that no matter how impossible a dream or task seems, if you have faith and drive it will lead you to success. The combination of Santiago’s newfound confidence, faith, and focus made him a wiser, more mature person that differs from the young, uncertain boy he was

During the Renaissance, the Swiss alchemist Paraclesus believed in an element known as Alkahest, from which the classical elements Earth, Water, Air and Fire were derived. Paraclesus believed that finding this fabled element was the key to Alchemy, and transmuting Lead and Iron into Gold. Alchemy focused not just on the transmutation of elements, but also the connection to the Spiritual realm, and the healing of illnesses of the body with herbs (a practice still used today, despite advanced medicine). While Alchemy has been discredited as a legitimate science, advancements in

What is most interesting about this is the amount of time he poured into these studies that were so controversial during the time period. It was said that “Newton’s studies in astronomy, optics, and mathematics occupied a small portion of his time” (Dobbs). The rest of his time spent on research was alchemy and other curious subjects that are considered occult. This research had to be conducted in secret due to the fact that alchemy was not a field that was accepted during the current time period. The thought of turning one substance into another through alchemy went against the idea of idea of the perfect natural world created by God and that is why it was outlawed. Isaac Newton went against the religious views of the time and still pursued

Throughout his life, Santiago has lived and rested near a sycamore tree. It is right next to an abandoned church. For a living Santiago herds, tends, and guards sheep. Almost every day, he has a dream about a child who tells him that he should travel to the Egyptian pyramids to find hidden riches. Santiago decides to follow his intuition. Along the way, Santiago meets this peculiar man that appears to read minds. He introduced himself to Santiago as the King of Salem. Santiago doesn't believe him. He thinks this is all a hoax. The King of Salem tells him that he should pursue his desires no matter what. Santiago then saw dreams and personal legends from a different outlook. Before Santiago left for his journey, the king gave Santiago two gems.

There are lots of things that can be learned through the knowledge of one’s background, beliefs, experiences, and ideology. The learning of the author allows the readers to interpret the book differently and to help understand why certain types of literary devices were used. In the novel, The Alchemist, it was important to know the background of the author, Paulo Coelho, before actually reading the book since it influences how a reader interprets the story. In the introduction, Coelho wrote about the four obstacles that persistent when following one's personal legend (vi). This part in the introduction helps the reader interpret parts of the story that would not have been easily interpreted without knowledge of the author's mindset. One example of the introduction

Alchemy is considered the precursor to modern chemistry. When you think of chemistry, usually you think of an exact science; something very meticulous. Truthfully, it is. To be accurate and to obtain precise and desired results, it must be accurate. Alchemy, however, was not an exact science, it was a primitive approach to the elements and usually they looked to a deity to actually initiate chemical reactions. Thus we separated them, but for good reason. In today's time we us instruments to give us exactness and precision that mankind had formerly ignored. Throughout time you will see that mankind has used chemistry to solve its most complex of problems and build a world that 7 billion people have come to know as home.