Ethos and Pathos in The Alchemist - Book Report/Review Example

Santiago also chose to live ethically by keeping a promise made to his love Fatima. He promised Fatima that after his treasure hunt was over he would return. After finding the treasure, Santiago could have traveled the world or bought anything his heart desired. He did not. Santiago remembered his promise to Fatima and returned to her. He made the choice to do the right or ethical thing.The emotional side of this book is poignant. Santiago falls in love, faces death, and completes his life journey all in one book.

When he first meets Fatima, Santiago falls in love. This makes the reader pull for this love to last, which it eventually does. The fear of death is apparent when Santiago predicts the army attack and the wind that blows. When his journey ends in success, the reader’s emotional ride is fulfilled. The Alchemist has many parables in the story, but the whole story can be considered a parable. One perspective is the book tells of a spiritual adventure in parable form. Santiago could be compared to Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress, although The Alchemist is not explicit as Pilgrim’s Progress.

In Coehlo's novel, Santiago is the soul that goes on a spiritual journey. Several examples are the dream to go on a treasure search, Melchizedek's advice, the finding of the treasure, and the journey itself. The dream of a child telling him to go to the Egyptian pyramids could be a parable representing a higher being guiding Santiago’s destiny. Melchizedek could be considered a prophet or angel guiding Santiago in the right direction after he ignores the dream. The tribulations of losing his money and having to work with the crystal merchant could be the roadblocks testing true faith.

The finding of the treasure could be a parable of finding heaven. All of these signs point to a parable.The other parable could the vision Santiago experiences and his command of the wind. Santiago’s life depends on the vision and command of the elements. In spiritual form, normally only prophets or angels have vision and powers. By saving not only his life but the tribe in the oasis, he could be considered a spiritual guide for others. The Alchemists and Santiago’s time in the enemy camp, when Santiago had to summon the wind shows the power of a prophet or angel.

Santiago’s powers could be a parable of a prophet or angel guiding others or setting an example of how to live. All of these interpretations of the parables are unique to the reader. Parables could be seen differently due to personal experience. The parables to this reader represent a spiritual journey of a lone sole going on the journey to find heaven. Santiago’s journey is a parable of a spiritual person’s life.