Prologue and Part I (Pgs 1-47)

Name______Block 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Date______

The Alchemist

Prologue and Part I (pgs 1-47)

Prologue

1. Who is Narcissus? ______

2. What is the theme or moral of the story of Narcissus? ______

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3. The alchemist believes this is a “lovely story.” What literary device do you believe is being used? ______

Part I (pgs. 3-47)

1. Why does Santiago decide to sleep in the abandoned church? ______

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2. What is Santiago’s profession? ______

3. What is the significance of the story taking place at dusk ? ______

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4. What clues from the story let you know that the dream is important? ______

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5. Why does Santiago become angry with the sheep? ______2

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6. What are the sheep a symbol for? How do you know? ______

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7. What is the importance of the girl in the town? What archetype or symbol does she represent? ______

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8. What makes Santiago believe that his days will never be the same? ______

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9. What does Santiago believe caused him to have thoughts of killing his sheep?

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10. What languages does Santiago speak? ______

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11. How did Santiago learn to read? How is this different from what he tells the girl? 3

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12. Does Santiago’s father’s reaction to his decision fit with his character or it is a surprise? ______

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13. Why are the items that Santiago owns important for the journey he is on?

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14. Santiago complains that “The problem is that they don’t even realize that they’re walking a new road every day.” Who or what is he talking about? ______

What does he mean? ______

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15. Why does Santiago believe the religious icons in the palm readers’ home out of place? ______

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16. What opinion does Santiago have of Gypsies? Use textual evidence to support your response. ______4

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17. What is the author saying about life with the statement “It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them.”

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18. Explain the statement “Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” ______

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19. Why does Santiago relent and talk to the Old Man? ______

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20. Who does the old man claim to be? ______

21. What is a Personal Legend? ______

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22. How does the old man convince the boy to part with 1/10 of his sheep? Why?

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23. How does this interpretation of his dream compare to the one from the old woman?

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24. What is the Soul of the World, according to Melchizedek? ______

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25. Who are the Warriors of the Light? ______

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26. The book says that Melchizedek vanished. Why is this necessary for character development? ______

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27. Why does Santiago visit the gate? ______6

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28. Why is the choice so difficult for Santiago to make? ______

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29. What images does Santiago associate with the Levanter? ______

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30. How does the Principle for Favorability affect Santiago’s life? ______

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31. What are omens (define)? Provide 1 example from the book.______

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32. What does Santiago receive to help make a choice when he has no omens? ______

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33. Why does Melchizedek have to charge Santiago six sheep? ______

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34. What is the purpose of the parable of the oil in the palace? ______8

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35. The story on pg 30-32 about the shopkeeper’s son serves what purpose? What literary device is used? ______

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36. How does Santiago feel about the religion of the local people? ______

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37. What personal experiences have caused Santiago’s bias? ______

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38. What is his First impression of the newcomer in the tea shop?

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39. Why does Santiago hesitate to tell the newcomer about his treasure? ______

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40. What is the shopkeeper attempting to tell Santiago? ______9

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41. Why does Santiago give his money to his new friend to protect? ______

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42. How does Santiago feel once he realizes the boy has stolen his money? Why?

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43. What is the significance of the sunrise and sunset framing his 1st day of the adventure? ______

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44. What is the significance of the sentence “I’m like everyone else- I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does.”

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45. Santiago uses the stones to help him decide and they fall through a hole in the pouch.

Explain what he realizes when this happens. ______10

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46. Santiago realizes an important fact during his lunch with the merchant. What does he

learn? What decision does he make? ______

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In the table below identify the missing information

Character Motivation Purpose in Story Santiago Searching for his personal protagonist

legend Melchizedek

Thief, preys on strangers

Provides job/ understanding

of culture