The Alchemist—up to pg. 65
Discussion Notes from Block 1
- Symbolism?
- Melchizedek—hmm…—a Biblical allusion?—meaning?
- A note about allusions: Allusions require background knowledge in order to understand. As a general rule, you should look up any “look up-ables” while reading (e.g., Melchizedek)
- Santiago as “the boy”—hmm...—emphasis on “youth”?—will it shift to “man” by the end?
- Any intertextuality?
- Omens are signs from “somewhere” indicating good or bad on the horizon
- Urim and thummim?
- Who is the alchemist?—alchemy as a metaphor for the theme of the story? What is an alchemist?—an “old school” chemist…—goal: turn base metal into gold
- Oil and the spoon anecdote—avoid “tunnel vision”
- Prologue—significance?
