77 pages • 2 hours read
The Alchemist
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
The prologue tells the story of Narcissus. How does this well-known myth relate to the main narrative of the novel?
Many of the characters in the novel are motivated by money and material wealth. How does this motivation relate to the various religions in the text?
In a structural and a literary sense, what is the symbolic meaning of the ruined church?
Santiago encounters magic and miracles throughout his journey. In what way do these experiences affect his own personal beliefs?
The tribal wars present the greatest existential threat to Santiago and the alchemist. In what ways does the novel demonstrate the threat that they pose?
Throughout the novel, numerous characters share their dreams. Analyze the various ways they imbue these dreams with meaning and how these meanings affect the course of the narrative.
Santiago reaches the pyramids and digs for his buried treasure. What is the nature of the treasure that Santiago uncovers in Egypt and in Spain?
The setting of the novel crosses from one continent to another. In what ways does the novel treat the differences between Europe and Africa?
The novel features numerous allusions to several world religions. How do these allusions interact with the various myths, magics, and practices of the people Santiago encounters in the text?
Unlock all 77 pages of this Study GuidePlus, gain access to 8,800+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
Related Titles
By Paulo Coelho
