The Alchemist

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1

Part 2, Section 1

Part 2, Section 2-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

The prologue tells the story of Narcissus. How does this well-known myth relate to the main narrative of the novel?

Many of the characters in the novel are motivated by money and material wealth. How does this motivation relate to the various religions in the text?

How does the romance between Fatima and Santiago (and, to a lesser extent, the girl in the village) interact with the themes of self-belief and destiny?