The Pursuit of Happiness: The Alchemist

The Alchemist is a true masterpiece that urges everyone to follow their dreams. This novel relates to all who struggle to find true happiness within, as opposed to the possessions and money they yearn for. Santiago is a young shepherd that is travelling around the world to pursue his 'Personal Legend' of finding an unknown hidden treasure near the pyramids in Egypt. On the path to finding his treasure, he encounters different cultures and religions. He also passes through different nations, and finally by the end of the story, he finds out that the treasure is the journey itself. The Alchemist represents the spiritual discoveries Santiago finds such as determination, wisdom, and fulfillment which are most important overall than that of the materialistic treasures he searches for.

The determination Santiago gains are much more significant than finding a buried treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. In the Spanish countryside of Andalusia, Santiago, a young shepherd constantly dreams the same dream about a hidden treasure buried at the Egyptian pyramids, which he never fully understands. He finally listens to his heart and with determination, decides to go on a dangerous search for the treasure. Santiago's father chooses the priesthood for him to pursue, in order to provide for a simple farm family. However Santiago's childhood dream is to travel and know the world. "Only people who have a lot of money can afford to travel. Amongst us, the only ones who travel are shepherds," his father says. Santiago argues, "Well, then I'll be a shepherd!" (Coelho 9) After summoning up the courage to tell his father that he is preferring to travel, his father finally gives Santiago his blessing. He

pushes passed the expectations that his father has of him, and finally gains the determination to follow his own dream of traveling.