THE ALCHEMIST

The Call to Adventure

“And suddenly, the child took me by both hands and transported me to the Egyptian pyramids. Then, at
the Egyptian pyramids...the child said to me, ‘If you come here, you will find a hidden treasure.’”
(Coelho, 16)
In this quote, Santiago is telling the gypsy woman of the recurring dream he has had. In his dream, a child
tells him that if he goes to the pyramids in Egypt, he will find treasure. This quote demonstrates the Call
to Adventure because the child in his dream has made him aware of what he is missing in his life, so his
quest is to go find it. The opportunity to travel and find treasure has sparked a flame in Santiago’s mind.
In this passage, Coelho uses foreshadowing to tell the reader what Santiago will go experience throughout
the story without giving away every detail. The universal truth of this passage is that dreams can help us
understand what happens in our lives and foreshadow things that may happen.

Refusal of the Call

“ ‘ Another dreamer,’ said the ticket seller to his assistant, watching the boy walk away. ‘He doesn’t have
enough money to travel.’ While standing at the ticket window, the boy had remembered his flock, and
decided he should go back to being a shepherd.” (Coelho, 28)
At this point of the book, Santiago has just spoken to the old man, and he has told him that he has
discovered what his Personal Legend is. The old man encourages him to realize his Personal Legend, and
not give it all up. Santiago decides not to listen to the old man because realizes it is safer and more
practical for him to stay a shepherd, as he knows everything there is to know about shepherding. He
desires normalcy as a shepherd and thinks his sheep could suffer without him. This quote represents the
Refusal of the Call step of the hero cycle because Santiago is hesitant about going on his adventure,
despite everything the old man has told him about why this journey is so important for him. In this
passage, Coelho uses dialogue to tell the reader how others see the main character and what their opinions
are on him. This passage connects to the universal theme that not everyone has the passion to achieve
their dreams in life.

Supernatural Aid
“‘Take these,’ said the old man, holding out a white stone and a black stone that had been embedded at
the center of the breastplate. ‘They are called Urim and Thummim. The black signifies ‘yes,’ and the
white ‘no.’ When you're unable to read the omens, they will help you to do so. Always ask an objective
question.’” (Coelho, 32) Once Santiago decides to realize his Personal Legend, Melchizedek, the King of
Salem, gifts him with magic fortune telling stones that will help him along his journey. This quote is an
example of Supernatural Aid in the hero cycle because the stones are a talisman that will aid Santiago
along his quest with magical aid.
Coelho uses imagery to showcase how special the magical stones are and how they will help Santiago
with the power they possess. This passage connects to the universal theme of ‘maktub,’ meaning ‘it is
written.’ Throughout the story, the character uses this phrase when they want to say that something is
meant to be. Urim and Thummim will help Santiago find what is meant to be when he is unable to read
the omens.
Crossing the Threshold
“ ‘Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you,’ said the wisest of wise men. ‘The secret of
happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.’ The old
man looked at the boy and, with his hands held together, made several strange gestures over the boy’s
head. Then, taking his sheep, he walked away.” (Coelho, 35) At this point in the story, Santiago has
gotten advice from the old man about what to expect along his journey. After having multiple reasons to
be unsure about leaving his sheep and his old life, Santiago decides to realize his Personal Legend. This is
an example of crossing the threshold because Santiago is leaving what he has always known and
venturing out into the unknown, Africa. In this passage, Coelho uses dialogue to tell the reader what
advice Santiago is taking with him as he crosses into Africa. This passage connects to the universal theme
that life is a balancing act.

Belly of the Whale

“But now, as the sun began to set, he was in a different country, a stranger in a strange land, where he
couldn’t even speak the language. He was no longer a shepherd, and he had nothing, not even the money
to return and start everything over.” (Coelho, 41)
At this point in the story, Santiago has just been robbed of all the money he was given to take on his
journey after trusting a stranger to take him to the pyramids. He is far from home, knows no one, and
doesn’t speak the language of the people there. This quote is an example of the Belly of the Whale
because Santiago is at his lowest point with no one to help him and no idea what to do next. In this
passage, Coelho uses imagery to tell the reader how dire of a situation Santiago is in. This passage
connects to the universal theme of how being an outsider in a new place can make anyone feel lonely and
lost.

The Road of Trials

“The boy had been working for the crystal merchant for almost a month, and he could see it wasn’t
exactly the kind of job that would make him happy. The merchant the entire day mumbling behind the
counter, telling the boy to be careful with the pieces and not to break anything” (Coelho, 53)
After being robbed of all of his money to get to Egypt, Santiago decides the best thing to do is to go back
to being a shepherd in Spain. Santiago has decided to work for a crystal merchant he met in Africa in
order to earn enough money to travel back to Spain. In the crystal shop, Santiago cleans crystal and serves
tea in the glasses. He ends up working there for about a year before he has earned back what he needs to
get home. After speaking to the crystal merchant about his unrealized dream of taking a pilgrimage to
Mecca, Santiago decides to continue on to Egypt after earning enough money. This is an example of the
Road of Trials because Santiago is having to work very hard in order to be successful in the continuation
of his journey. In this passage, Coelho uses detail to make the reader feel connected to the slow return to
the point Santiago was at before. This passage connects to the universal theme that sometimes it takes
doing something difficult and tedious to achieve success.

Meeting with the Goddess

“Finally, a young woman approached who was not dressed in black...When he looked into her dark eyes,
and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the
language that all the world spoke-- the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in
their heart. It was love.” (Coelho, 95) When searching for the Alchemist with his new friend the
Englishman, Santiago meets a young woman in the Oasis, Fatima. Fatima is the most beautiful woman he
has ever seen, and he immediately falls in love with her. They talk every day about their lives, and
Santiago tells her he wants her to be his wife. He tells her that he will quit his journey to stay with her and
live in the desert, but she will have none of it. As a woman of the desert, she is convinced that if he truly
loves her, he will return after completing his quest. Fatima persuades him to continue on his journey to
realize his Personal Legend, and that she will be waiting for him when he comes back. In this passage,
Coelho uses imagery to create a picture of Fatima in the reader’s head in order for them to understand
why Santiago feels so strongly about her. This passage connects to the universal theme that love is
something that no matter what language one speaks, one can understand.

Apotheosis
“The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he
saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles.” (Coelho, 157)
Before this point in the story, the Alchemist told the chief of the military camp in the desert that Santiago
was an alchemist who could transform himself into the wind and destroy the camp with just its force.
Santiago talked to the desert, the wind, and the sun. In this book, the Soul of the World is a spiritual force
that holds all of nature together. This quote is an example of the Apotheosis step of the hero cycle because
Santiago has accomplished something that ordinary humans could not, and has achieved a god-like state
by performing “miracles.” In this passage, Coelho uses syntax to dramatize what Santiago has done and
how he is closer to achieving his Personal Legend. This passage connects to the universal truth that
through hard work and deep self-evaluation, anything can be possible.
 Works Cited

Coehlo, Paulo. ​The Alchemist​. Harper Collins Publishers, 25th Anniversary Edition, 1988.
THE HUNGER GAMES

The Call to Adventure

“I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. ‘I
volunteer!’ I gasp. ‘I volunteer as tribute!’” (Collins, 22)
At the Reaping of District 12, Primrose Everdeen, Katniss’ little sister, is drawn as the female tribute of
their district. Knowing that her death is near certain, Katniss bravely volunteers as a tribute to protect her
sister and keep her alive. When Katniss volunteers to replace her sister in the Games, it is the first time
this has happened in District Twelve. This quote represents the Call to Adventure because rather than see
her innocent sister die, Katniss decides to take her place as a way of righting the wrongs of her own
world. In this passage, Collins uses foreshadowing to tell the reader that these Hunger Games will not be
like any of the others. This passage connects to the universal theme that sometimes protecting one’s loved
ones is more important than anything else.

Mentors and Helpers

“‘You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these Games. The one who advises you, lines up
your sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch can well be the difference between
your life and your death!’” (Collins, 46)
In this quote, Effie Trinket is preparing Katniss and Peeta for meeting their mentor, Haymitch. Haymitch
was the only Victor from District 12 and the one who would guide Katniss and Peeta through their
journey of the Hunger Games. Effie Trinket, the speaker in this passage, will also be someone that will
help Katniss and Peeta on their journey. This is an example of meeting with the Mentor because Katniss
has been told about the one person who has experienced the games who will counsel and teach her in
preparation for her time in the arena. In this passage, Collins uses dialogue to tell the reader how these
new people that Katniss must trust with her life communicate, and to emphasize how serious of a situation
Katniss is in. This passage connects to the universal truth that putting one’s trust in others is a risk that
can change one’s life.

Crossing the Threshold

“‘The moment the anthem ends, we are taken into custody. I don't mean we’re handcuffed or anything,
but a group of Peacekeepers marches us through the front door of the Justice Building.’”(Collins, 34)
At this point in the story, Katniss and Peeta have just been announced as the tributes of District 12. They
are taken off the stage and are allowed to say goodbye to their families before getting on the train to the
capitol. Katniss and Peeta are now in the hands of the Capitol as players in their Game. This quote
signifies Crossing the Threshold because Katniss is leaving her district, the only home she has ever
known, to go into the unknown of the capitol and the Hunger Games arena. In this passage, Collins uses
diction to create a feeling of concern for Katniss and Peeta as they are swept away from District Twelve
and into the chaos of the Capitol. This passage connects to the universal truth that when one is
representing a person or place, it can feel like they are being controlled.

Belly of the Whale

“‘If I’m going to cry, now is the time to do it … But no tears come. I’m too tired or too numb to cry. The
only thing I feel is a desire to be somewhere else. So I let the train rock me into oblivion.’” (Collins, 54)
At this point in the book, Katniss has just left her home, family, and friends, and boarded the train taking
her and fellow District Twelve tribute Peeta Mellark to the Capitol. Katniss feels like crying because she
has just left everyone she loves and is not sure if she’ll ever see them again. This quote represents the
Belly of the Whale step of the hero cycle because Katniss is at her lowest point, unsure of how she will
continue on. In this passage, Collins uses diction to give the reader empathy for Katniss in this trying
time, as she is experiencing the first moments without her family and as a player of the Games of the
Capitol. This passage connects to the universal truth that unhappiness can make one feel lonely and out of
place.

The Road of Trials

“‘My heart starts to pound, I can feel my face burning. Without thinking, I pull an arrow from my quiver
and send it straight at the Game Maker's table...Everyone stares at me in disbelief. ‘Thank you for your
consideration,’ I say. Then I give a slight bow and walk straight toward the exit without being
dismissed.’” (Collins, 182)
At this point in the book, Katniss has just completed her skill showcase for the Gamemasters. The purpose
of this event was to demonstrate what skills tributes possessed, but when it was Katniss’ turn she was
completely ignored. This is the first of many physical training evaluations that Katniss and the other
tributes will have to do, all while mentally preparing for what is to come inside the arena. This is an
example of the Road of Trials because Katniss is being put to the test and will have to overcome the many
more mental and physical challenges that will be brought upon her. In this passage, Collins uses imagery
to give the reader a sense of how Katniss feels at this pivotal point of her journey. This passage connects
to the universal truth that skillful acts of bravery may get the attention of any doubters one might have.

Ultimate Boon
“‘I spread out my fingers, and the dark berries glisten in the sun. I give Peeta’s hand one last squeeze as a
signal, as a good-bye, and we begin counting … It’s too late to change my mind. I lift my hand to my
mouth, taking one last look at the world’… The frantic voice of Claudius Templesmith shouts above
them. ‘Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth
Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you --- the tributes of District Twelve!’”
(Collins, 345)
At this point in the story, Katniss and Peeta have just won the Hunger Games after nearly eating
nightlock berries, which would have killed both of them. If they had both died, there would have been no
victor, so the Gamemaster quickly announces that both tributes will be victors. This is an example of the
Ultimate boon in the Hero’s Cycle because Katniss has completed what she set out to do, although it
wasn’t exactly how she thought the Games would end. In this passage, Collins uses imagery to allow the
reader to picture the scene of Katniss and Peeta eating the berries. This connects to the universal truth that
goodness will prevail over hateful schemes.
Master of Two Worlds
“‘I look, very simply, like a girl. A young one. Fourteen at the most. Innocent. Harmless. Yes, it is
shocking that Cinna has pulled this off when you remember that I’ve just won the games.’” (Collins, 355)
At this point in the story, Katniss has returned from the games and is trying on a dress for a Capitol
interview, created by her stylist Cinna. She is looking at herself in the mirror, and seeing herself as
someone that she hasn’t seen since she entered the games. This quote is an example of the Master of Two
World’s step because Katniss is seeing herself as the young girl that she is while acknowledging all of the
horrors she has just experienced. In this passage, Collins uses imagery to give the reader a picture of
Katniss during this time after the Games as she is getting primed for the victor events of the Capitol. This
passage connects to the universal truth that people are not always as they seem on the outside.

Freedom to Live
“‘Home! Prim and my mother! Gale! Even the thought of Prim’s scruffy old cat makes me smile. Soon I
will be home!’” (Collins, 350)
After Katniss returns from the Games, she is healed by doctors who recover her hearing. At first, she is
unsure if Peeta had survived, but she is shortly told the good news. She is happy that everything can go
back to the way it was before she and Peeta were tributes, although her life will never be the same as a
victor. While her engagements with the Capital are far from over, Katniss is relieved and yearning to be
home after spending a long time in a scary and dangerous place. This quote is an example of the Freedom
to Live step because although she has now come home as a hero, she is still able to live a somewhat
normal life. In this passage, Collins uses punctuation to show how excited Katniss is to be home and get
back to the way her life was. This passage connects to the universal truth that home is where the heart is.
 Works Cited

Collins, Suzanne. ​The Hunger Games.​ Scholastic Inc., 2008.