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Alchemy is about turning common, ordinary objects into something of the most value: gold. The story of the The Alchemist is about taking the common ordinary events of life, and life itself, and turning them into something beyond value. This is evident in two areas: 1) the journey itself, and 2) the events within the journey. Santiago's treasure, ironically, is at the very place where he began the trip. But in order for Santiago to grow, to achieve his personal legend, he must go on the journey. The journey itself turns Santiago from someone common to someone who believes in himself, into a person who has achieved his personal legend (unlike the crystal seller); thus, the journey--or life--is like alchemy, turning an ordinary life into gold. But one of the reasons the journey is successful for Santiago is because of his willingness, his attitude to view life positively. When his money is stolen, Santiago makes a conscience choice to an "adventurer in search of treasure," rather than "a victim." Santiago chooses to allow the events of life, even the disappointments, to work for good. Thus, The Alchemist is also about the need to see life as a process, one that is working towards good, one that will produce gold in you if you choose to view it so.

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Q: Why did Paulo Coelho choose the title for The Alchemist?
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Why do writer choose the best title?

The writer chooses a title based on his or her own reasons. Sometimes, the writer is not the one who chooses the title. The publishing company may decide to change the title to appeal to a larger audience and thus make more money.


Mele kaliki maka what does the title mean in English?

Mele kaliki'maka is not Chinese, It's Hawai'ian/Polynesian depending on which dictionary you choose to use. It means Merry Christmas.


Summary of the pilgrimage by paulo coelho?

Paulo is a thirty-eight year old, intelligent man who feels he has successfully completed his training to become a Master in an ancient and mysterious religious tradition. Paulo has survived many trials and learned many lessons in order to reach the point of being awarded a new sword: an emblem of his achievement. However, Paulo has failed to learn one final and very important lesson: what he is to do with his sword. As a result of not understanding this lesson, Paulo must undertake one final journey. If he does not succeed, he will not receive his sword and the title of Master. Seven months have passed since the night of the failed ceremony in Brazil. The Narrator and his wife share a meal at Bajadas airport before she continues on with her mission to hide the sword as instructed by the Master, and he travels to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to find Mme Lourdes and begin his quest. The Narrator tries to blame his wife for their presence in Spain, but she calmly states that if he truly did not wish to make the journey to find his sword then he would not have come. As a parade files through the streets of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the Narrator arrives at Mme Lourdes' home. After several knocks on her door fail to arouse an answer, the Narrator fears that he has failed in his task before the journey has begun. A small child bursts through the unanswered gate and directs the Narrator to a house across the courtyard. As the men continue their travels over the Pyrenees Mountains, Petrus discusses the RAM practices. The guide explains that he does not worry over the responsibilities at home because each time one travels it is a practical act of rebirth. Every place, every language, every person is new. Petrus also comments that since everything is new, people only see beauty and feel happiness. This is the very reason why religious pilgrimages have been a way of achieving insight. One afternoon while Petrus and Paulo rest in an olive grove an old man approaches them and tells the story of how love was murdered at a small church nearby. A young princess coming back from Compostela decided to give up everything and care for the sick and poor. The princess' brother came to bring her home, but when she refused he stabbed her out of desperation. As penance the duke was made to walk the road to Compostela and on his way back was filled with the same feeling that had overcome his sister. When the old man finishes, Petrus comments that the story is an example of the law of retribution. Petrus goes on to explain that the brother was "forced to continue the good works he had interrupted" because anyone who tries to destroy love must re-create it. The evening before arriving in Puente de la Reina, Paulo and Petrus spend the night in a monastery where they are prohibited from speaking a word during their stay. Their accommodations are meager: a hard bed, clean sheets, a pitcher of water and basin for washing. Paulo observes the monks during the evening meal and learns that they only communicate with their eyes. Paulo and Petrus stop at a local bar one afternoon where they discuss Christ's miracles. The barkeep accuses the men of blaspheming Jesus and brings a priest to confront the pair. When the priest sees the scallop shells on Petrus' knapsack he relaxes his accusations. The barkeep then tells Paulo and Petrus the story of a curse that has plagued the town for many years. Paulo and Petrus decide to stay in the city of Logroso upon learning that a wedding is about to take place. While Petrus scouts out a hotel, Paulo engages in a conversation of politics with a local popcorn vendor. Paulo tells Petrus about the exchange, and the guide cautions Paulo to remember the popcorn man because the encounter is an example of mistaken behavior. Petrus further explains that people are always trying to convert others to their way of thinking. The guide then points to the stars as an example of the differences among people. On the day following the wedding festival Petrus and Paulo sit fishing. Paulo asks to learn more about agape but Petrus says agape is something to be experienced, not discussed. Petrus states that if luck is on their side things will fall into place so that Paulo can live the definition of agape. As night descends the two men come upon a small building, which Petrus seems to know. The guide calls out a name but receives no answer. Petrus suggests they go inside anyway to wait. Inside Petrus begins to talk about the two manifestations of agape. The monk who lives in the hermitage is named Alfonso, and he exhibits the purest form of agape. Petrus explains that agape is total, consuming love such as Jesus had for humanity. As the two men set out one morning from a small village, Paulo is beset with a feeling of urgency coupled with tension and fear. Paulo tries to ignore the feelings, but Petrus demands that the pilgrim stop and confront the presence. Looking around the abandoned houses, Paulo sees the black dog he cast out of the old woman's house a few days earlier. Paulo locks eyes with the dog for several minutes before a nun crosses their path. Once the nun passes the dog lowers his eyes and runs away. Paulo is dizzy and believes that the nun gave him the strength to defeat the dog. Petrus allows Paulo to rest before they continue the journey. At two o'clock one afternoon Petrus and Paulo come across a medieval column supporting a cross; it is a road marker for pilgrims. Petrus tells Paulo to kneel before it so that they can offer a prayer concerning Paulo's personal vices. These vices are the only thing that could potentially defeat Paulo after he finds his sword. Petrus then speaks a lengthy prayer asking God to pity people who eat and drink but are still unhappy; who fear death; who consume themselves with affairs of the heart; for those who do not believe in anything spiritual, and for those who are concerned only with their own lives. When he finishes praying Petrus sits quietly staring across the surrounding wheat fields. One afternoon Petrus and Paulo stop to rest at a ruined castle. A shepherd and his flock pass by and seem to prompt Petrus to move on. The guide pushes Paulo to maintain a steady pace for two days until they reach a basin in the middle of a plateau. The basin contains a waterfall and a stream running across the basin floor. Petrus decides they should climb down the side of the basin to the pool below. For three days Petrus has kept Paulo marching at an intense pace. Unable to maintain the tempo, Paulo asks to rest. Petrus refuses to explain his reason for hurrying along, but Paulo decides not to press the issue. Finally, as the ruined village of Foncebadon comes into view Petrus slows the pace. Paulo realizes that not far from the village is a very important landmark, the Iron Cross. He desires to continue on to the attraction, but Petrus now refuses to move along. After visiting the Iron Cross, Petrus realizes that Paulo's wounds are more severe than originally thought. The men find shelter at a blacksmith's shop in a nearby village. Petrus and an old woman from the village care for Paulo's wounds by placing herbs on the cuts and making him drink bitter tea. After several days the blacksmith asks the travelers to move on because the people fear that Paulo will become rabid following his encounter with the dog. In Ponferrada Petrus secures a luxurious suite for the men to share. After dinner the two men walk through a locomotive yard. Petrus tells Paulo that their time together will soon end. Paulo will have to complete his search alone. Petrus instructs Paulo to close his eyes and perform the Breathing Exercise while listening to Petrus' voice. Petrus gives Paulo instructions for the completion of this journey, as well as future journeys. On the following day Paulo will join Petrus at a group initiation ceremony and then their ways will separate. Petrus then teaches Paulo the Dance Exercise, which will be performed at the ceremony. This is the last RAM practice Paulo will learn. In Villafranca del Bierzo Paulo is approached by a young girl of about eight years old. The girl asks if Paulo is a pilgrim and offers to take him to the Gates of Forgiveness. Paulo tries to pay the girl to go away, but she refuses the money. Paulo considers that maybe this girl has been sent to lead him to his sword and agrees to follow her. Paulo sits gazing out the window of his hotel following the completion of his journey. In a short while he will catch a flight back to Brazil where he will return to business of everyday life. Paulo thinks back on his experiences and contemplates writing a book to commemorate his journey along the Road to Santiago. Paulo recalls how he wrote the secret of his sword on a piece of paper and left it under a stone. Paulo also remembers how he had asked his Master how he knew that Paulo would arrive at the exact time he did. The Master said that he did not know leading Paulo to realize that people arrive at the right moment wherever someone waits for them.


What is the correct spelling of title?

Title as in the title of a book is title.


What is a title rule?

A title rule is something that is important in a title for example, when your teacher writes on your paper fix title rule, the title rule could be if you have to capitalize the first letter of a title.

Related questions

Interesting quote and title from book?

Quote: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs Title of book: "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho


What is the title of the second season of Full Metal Alchemist?

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood


In Fullmetal Alchemist when Ed gets his title certification what does the paper say?

Basically, the paper congratulates Ed for earning the title of state alchemist and gives him the name "Fullmetal Alchemist." The paper certifies him as a state alchemist and is signed by Fuhrer King Bradley himself.


Does the movie ever give a state alchemist title for Alphonse Elric and if so what is it?

It does not. He never becomes a State Alchemist.


Who is FullMetal?

Fullmetal is the name given to Edward Elric when he becomes a State Alchemist. Every State Alchemist has a name given to them, and the name describes the Alchemist or the type of Alchemy they use. For Example: Edward Elric is given the title Fullmetal Alchemist because of his metal arm and leg. Roy Mustang is given the title Flame Alchemist because he uses fire.


What is the title of the lead characters' father in the hit anime Fullmetal Alchemist?

His title was 'Hohenheim of Light'.


What is Fullmetal Alchemist 2 generation?

Maybe you are refferring to the second Fullmetal Alchemist ending song. The song title is 'Tobira no Mukou e' by Yellow Generation.


Who is the Fullmetal Alchemist?

The Fullmetal Alchemist. This was the title given to Edward Elric, a fictonal character from the anime/cartoon Fullmetal Alchemist (hence the name). He was given this title when he became a "Dog of the Millitary" because he has a Right Arm and a Left Leg made from Automail (A type of steel that can substitute body parts. The nerves are attached to it).


What will you choose a crown or the title?

If you ask me I'll better choose a title because a crown can be bought after having a title but a title can't be bought if you choose a crown.


Who is the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist?

The creator is Hiromu Arakawa who wrote and illustrated Fullmetal Alchemist herself. The manga was then adapted by Bones into an animated series titled the same as the manga, Fullmetal Alchemist that consist of 51 episodes. Another series, a remake of the first series was then aired with the title Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.


Why do you choose bookstore title?

we choose it because to remember it well.


How do you choose a blog title?

The title of your blog is based on what you have written inside your blog.