The Alchemist Flashcards
Why does Santiago believe Melchizedek?
he knows things about Santiago he has never told anyone
What are Urim and Thummim?
stones that represent “yes” and “no” to help understand omens
In Africa, Santiago began work as _________.
a crystal merchant’s assisstant
Maktuh means
“it is written” or “destiny”
The Englishman hopes to become __________.
an alchemist
Who is Fatima?
the desert woman Santiago falls in love with
Levanter, sirocco, and simum are names for different ________.
winds
The Prologue re-tells a fable about __________.
Narcissus
Four obstacles stand in the way of a person who tries to live his or her dream. They are _____.
discouragement, love, fear of the unknown, and fear of realizing your dream
The author is a citizen of what country?
Brazil
Why is Santiago’s dream strange?
it is recurring and very mysterious
When Santiago consults a Gypsy woman about his dream, what does she say he must pay?
1/10 of his treasure to her
According to the author, sheep are a metaphor for ________.
sheep sit around and do nothing and worry about simple things instead of following their personal legends
What job did Santiago’s parents hope he would have when he was an adult?
a priest
What is the world’s greatest lie?
at a certain point we lose control and life is taken over by fate
Why are there religious references in the novel?
to make santiago’s journey more a religious quest
Melchizedek explains the concept of the Personal Legend by saying that it is
what a person most desires to accomplish in life
According to the old man, what must Santiago follow?
omens
Spain is what religion? __________ Tangier is ___________.
- Catholic
- Muslim
When Santiago completes his first year of working in Tangier, he makes the decision to do what?
go home (but he is really going to the pyramids)
A leitmotif is a recurring theme throughout a musical or literary composition associated with a particular person, idea, or situation. Which character is frequently used as a leitmotif in the novel?
Malchezidec
What are the qualities of alchemy?
inscribed on the emerald tablet
everything comes from one source
master work is a liquid and a solid
Which group of people serve as guides / scouts in the desert?
Bedouins
According to the Englishman, what are caravans like?
books
What is the oasis?
a safe-town that is peaceful and hospitable to travellers
Who (What?) is Al-Fayoum?
the oasis
Santiago sees two hawks fighting, and he understands this as an omen for what?
the oasis is going to be attacked
How does the alchemist arrive
on a white horse
The alchemist says one must never let up on his quest. Santiago accepts this advice because___________.
it reminds him of the old king
In the desert, Santiago turns himself into
the wind
At the monastery, the alchemist distributed gold in what proportions?
1/4 for the monk
1/4 for the boy
1/4 for the alchemist
1/4 for if the boy’s money is stolen again
What fable tells the Secret of Happiness?
the merchant’s son and the two drops of oil
When Santiago saw the Pyramids, he does what?
drops to the ground and cries
As Santiago digs for treasure, he is approached by whom?
strange Arab war refugees wanting money
One of the robbers tells Santiago about a dream of treasure where?
in the fields of Spain near a church where shepherds live
The treasure Santiago found was gold buried by whom?
spanish conquistadors?
What does it mean when a woman is dressed in black in the oasis, a Muslim society?
she is married
The “Language of the World” is defined as ________.
communications between souls that have no language barriers
As a daughter of the desert, Fatima says that she knows how to do what?
wait
Santiago’s vision of the two fighting hawks signifies what?
the oasis will be attacked; he is good at reading omens
What test do the chieftains outline for Santiago?
if Santiago is right about the attack they will make him a council member but if he is wrong they will kill him
After the battle, what advice does the alchemist give to Santiago?
sell your camel and buy a horse
The Englishman can be classified as what kinds of character?
supporting character meant to represent book knowledge
When the alchemist advises Santiago to listen to his heart, he is saying…
do not let yourself be afraid to follow your dreams
Who does the alchemist tell the military camp leader is the true alchemist?
the boy
The real alchemist says that Santiago is an alchemist to
the military camp leader
Who does Santiago ask for help when he must become the wind, and in what order?
wind
sun
God
What did the alchemist do at the Coptic monastery?
turn lead into gold
The point of the alchemist’s story about the Roman emperor Tiberius is to…
everyone plays an important role in the web of history, whether they know it or not
What omen does the boy see when he finally reaches the Pyramids?
a scarab beetle appears where he was crying
Where does Santiago find his treasure?
at home in Spain
why must he return to Tarifa?
Fatima!
