Lit Analysis #2

                                                          The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Part 1: The beginning starts off with Santiago the shepherd on his way to sell his sheep's wool to a merchant and to see the merchants daughter. On his way to the shepherds town he stops to talk to a gypsy about a reoccurring dream which involves him traveling to the pyramids of Egypt where he finds treasure. They gypsy does confirm that he will find treasure at the pyramids, but the boy doesn't think much of it. When he reaches the merchants town he meets a man who claims to be a king. This man shocks Santiago by talking about Santiago's dream, which besides him and the gypsy no on knows about it. The man tells Santiago he will find his treasure by following his personal legend and omens, all of this is enough to convince Santiago to sell his sheep and journey to Egypt. While traveling to Egypt Santiago is robbed of all the money he had which forces him to start working at a merchants shop. Santiago works at the merchants shop for a long time and brings great wealth to the merchant by improving his sales in various ways and eventually Santiago has enough money to either pursue his journey to Egypt or return to the life of a shepherd. Just as Santiago is about to return to his shepherd life he sees an omen that convinces him to aboard a caravan heading for Egypt and on this caravan he meets an English man who teaches him all about alchemy and the Alchemist. Their caravan takes them to an oasis near the pyramids and it is at this location where Santiago meets the Alchemist and his true love Fatima. The Alchemist teaches Santiago the language of the universe and he serves as a guide to the pyramids. On their journey to the pyramids they are kidnapped and Santiago's ability to speak  the universal language is put to the test. He passes the test,  regains his freedom, and continues on his quest to the pyramids without the help of the Alchemist who says Santiago needs to find it by himself. Finally Santiago reaches the pyramids, but he is brutally beaten  by a gang of thieves who found out Santiago knew there was treasure at the pyramids. Once they see that there is no treasure one of them reveals a secret that leads Santiago to the true location of the treasure.

Part 2: The main theme in this book is to follow your heart and appreciate what you have. These themes are demonstrated by how Santiago's heart led him to his personal legend and although he didn't find the treasure what he learned throughout his journey was much more valuable than any treasure. I think the author wrote about this because it's a vital life lesson to know.

Part 3: The main protagonist is a dynamic character because his journey changed him. In the beginning he was a shy shepherd who was content with his sheep, but by the end he was a well experienced wise man. He is a round character because of his many personality traits.  

Part 4: An important symbol in this book is omens. Omens constantly gave Santiago clues about where he should go on his journey. Omens also caused him to never quit because whenever he became discouraged he saw an omen that motivated him to continue a journey. An example of an omen is when Santiago reached the pyramids and saw a scarab beetle which he believed was a sign from god that told him where to dig. For Santiago omens are how the universe spoke to him.

Part 5: I choose this book because I had hear nothing, but good reviews about it. I also wanted to read it because it seemed like it would be a deep book that I could actually spend time contemplating. Once I had started to read the book the constant life lessons and touches on different religions kept me interested.

Part 6: I honestly can't really relate to this book. The only times I could relate was when Santiago had fears or doubts about pursuing something that was uncertain and unknown. Although, not being able to relate to this book made me realize that I need to start living a less materialistic life.

Part 7: One thing that will really stick with me is how deep this book was. The main lesson it taught was just to live a good life by following your heart and helping others. Another thing is that this book was rather motivating. For example there was a quote that stood out to me, "The darkest hours of night come just before dawn." This showed me that if I keep working through all my hardships it will pay off.

Greek Drama Handout Questions

1. What kind of prize is given for dancing choruses of worshippers?

A bull or a goat were the prizes given.

2. How many spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos? 

As many as fourteen thousand spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos.

3. How did the mask affect the voices of the actors? 

The masks had exaggerated mouthpieces that amplified the actors' voices, making it easier for the entire audience to hear.

4. Why was Antigone suspenful to viewing audiences?

Antigone was suspenseful to the audiences because although they already knew the story the actors didn't and the audience would pity and want to warn them about their impending doom.

5. How is the sheperd to leave the infant on the mountainside? 

The sheperd was suppose to leave the infant on a lonely mountainside with its ankles pinned together.

6. What is the riddle the Sphinx gave to Oedipus? 

The riddle the Sphinx gave to Oedipus was, "what creature goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?"

7. Who are Oedipus' kids?

Oedipus' kids are Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene.

8. After Oedipus is exiled, who takes over Thebes?

After Oedipus was exiled Creon took over Thebes.

9. What did the family do to the body? 

After death, the family closed the dead person's eyes and mouth and began to prepare the body for the próthesis, the wake. The women of the house washed the body and dressed it in white or in wedding clothes. Then they placed the body on a bier making sure that the feet pointed toward the door and sprinkled it with wild marjoram and other herbs to keep evil spirits away. Then the men would enter in a formal procession, their right arms raised high in the air. When the closest relative reached out and hd the dead persons head with both hands, the other mourners began to beat their faces and tear their hair. They also wailed and sang to wind pipes.

Antigone quick write

If I awoke on some random island with my parents dead, my brothers dead, and a fuzzy memory of a scientist strapping me into a machine I would probably be really confused and waste like an entire day just trying to figure out what went on. After I get over my state of confusion I'd probably become overwhelmed with rage over the fact my brothers were dead and my favorite brother wasn't given a proper burial. Due to my rage I would confront my uncle and demand that he gives my brother justice, unfortunately he would probably reject my request. I'm pretty sure by now most of my rage will have subsided and I would be way more reasonable. I would then plan to move my brothers body from the city dump and burry it in a beautiful remote location somewhere in nature. Since this is such a risky plan I would confide to my sister about it and ask for her help. If she declined my request for her assistance I would probably disown her because I believe that as long as I am one hundred percent sure I am doing the correct thing I wouldn't mind breaking the law. Although I'd be rather reluctant to go through this by myself I would go through with burying my brother and then I would leave town forgetting my so called sister and uncle and I would be content knowing my brother was given justice.