Name:___________________________________________________________ Class:___________________
In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Santiago, a young shepherd boy, dreams of hidden treasure buried near the Egyptian pyramids. Driven by curiosity
and a sense of destiny, he embarks on a journey across the desert, encountering mysterious guides, spiritual omens, and unexpected challenges along the
way. As he follows the path toward his “Personal Legend,” Santiago must decide whether to trust the wisdom of the world or listen to the quiet call of his
heart. Filled with mystical symbolism and timeless life lessons, The Alchemist invites readers to explore the power of dreams, the nature of fate, and the
courage it takes to seek one’s true purpose.
Directions: Draw a line to match each character with the trait that describes them.
Santiago ○ ○ Skeptical/Paranoid
Santiago’s father ○ ○ Adventurous
Merchant’s Daughter ○ ○ Mysterious
Merchant ○ ○ Beautiful
Melchizedek ○ ○ Compassionate
Directions: Read the first 10 pages of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho carefully. Then, answer the following questions in complete sentences.
Santiago tells himself, “Well, usually I learn more from my sheep than from books” (page 2). What does he mean by this?
What does Santiago mean when he thinks, "They trust me, and they’ve forgotten how to rely on their own instincts"
(page 3)? How does this symbolism relate to human nature?
Santiago reflects that “it’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting” (page 4). What does this
reveal about his character and motivation?
● Claim – This is the main point or argument you are making in response to the question. Your claim should clearly state your position or
interpretation. A strong claim is specific, direct, and debatable.
○ Example: Santiago’s decision to become a shepherd reflects his desire for freedom over comfort.
● Evidence – This is the proof you use to support your claim. Evidence can be direct quotes from the text, summaries of key events, or examples
of character behavior. Strong evidence should directly connect to your claim and be properly cited when necessary.
○ Example: Santiago’s father tells him, "Most people see the world as a threatening place, and because they do, the world turns out to
be a threatening place" (Coelho, p. 45).
● Reasoning – This is the explanation of how your evidence supports your claim. Your reasoning should clearly show the connection between the
evidence and your argument, explaining why the evidence matters and how it proves your point.
○ Example: This shows that Santiago’s father believes most people choose security over pursuing their dreams. Santiago’s choice to
become a shepherd reflects his desire to avoid that pattern and embrace freedom, even at the cost of uncertainty.
Directions: Choose one of the following prompts and indicate your choice. Make sure your answer is thoughtful, supported by the text, and uses
academic, formal English. Your answer should include a claim, evidence (use a different quote than those on the previous side), and reasoning.
Connection to Nature: Santiago reflects that his sheep have taught him more than books ever could. How does Santiago’s
relationship with his sheep symbolize his understanding of the world and his search for meaning? How does Coelho use
Santiago’s bond with nature to highlight the importance of simplicity and intuition?
The Influence of Others: Both the gypsy woman and Santiago’s father influence his understanding of his dream and his path.
How do these two figures reflect different perspectives on following one’s destiny? How does Santiago’s response to their advice
reflect his growing independence and self-awareness
Dreams and Destiny: Santiago’s recurring dream sets him on a journey of self-discovery. How does Coelho use Santiago’s dream
to explore the theme of destiny? Discuss how Santiago’s reaction to the gypsy woman’s interpretation reflects his internal conflict
about following his personal legend.
