Answer for The Alchemist

English II

Answer for the Alchemist

Lichao Zhang

Mar.6.2013

 

1.  The prologue序言 of The Alchemist炼金术士includes a unique retelling of the myth of Narcissus水仙花.

 

         - What do you know about this myth?

A Spanish boy who is shepherd has two dreams that about he could find treasure from Egypt but it wasn’t true. After he finds out the truth from the old woman and he feels disappointing about the dream that he couldn’t reach his dream which is could not find his treasure. However, he meets the old man who gives him a clue to go to Egypt to find treasure. Then, he begins his journey to Egypt and find his dream. After he conquer all the difficuties and problems. He realizes that all the treasure are gone for somewhere and hs dream broken again. God bless him and gives him another chance to reach his dream and he knows the location of the real treasure which is actually dosen’t there. However, through this rough journey he finds out the real treasure of himself and makes dream come true.

         - What is the traditional interpretation阐释，解释 of this myth?

 In my opinion, I think that someone has to have a dream for life and using wisdom to achieve. However , sometimes it is hard to apporch that dream but we need to make it come true step by step during a rough, long journey which is the death of dream or the birth of your own real dream with action and consideration.

         - What is the relationship of the prologue to the rest of the story?

The prologue is the bedding 铺垫of the story. Also, it is a epitome of the story that using a symbol of the beauty of narcissus to reflex the pricinple of life and the definition of self-destiny which shows the whole story is talking about the journey of dream-reaching.

 

 

 

2.  Tell where the boy comes from and in what part of the world much of the story is set布置，树立. What might be the significance 意义，重要性of the setting in the book?

 The body comes from Spanish and the story happens between Spanish and Egypt, Africa. To set this book I think one thing is very important that taking actions for your dream and trying to make it happen using your own wisdom. Your life is in your own hand what it looks like it depends on your own destiny.

 

 

 

3.  Talk about the role the merchant's批发商，店主 daughter plays in the boy's quest追求，探索. What themes does her introduction bring up?

 The role of the merchant’s daughter is a test for Santiago during his adventure. Using desire of love to beguile him and making him to choose between love and dream. Self-determination could be a theme in this part as a main key to open his adventure in the next.

 

 

 

4.  What is the boy's original motive动机，主旨 in the quest that takes him across the Mediterranean地中海? What rewards报酬, material or nonmaterial, do you think the boy will reap 收获from his journey? What might this say about the relationship between material and spiritual 精神上rewards?

The original motive of boy is to find out the treasure from Egypt after he listens the old man’s suggestion. On the contrary, he dosen’t find any of treasure but spiritual rewards which is using wisdom and action to make your own successes and you must undergo the most difficult part with all kinds of trouble, after that you’ll find your own destiny and your own treasure with your brave, passion and your dream.

In this story, the author uses the attraction of business achievement and the treasure with the love from merchant's daughter as the material rewards. Comparing with the material rewards, the author uses the adventure for finding the boy’s own destiny and meaning of life which is using brave and wisdom to apporch his real dream. Through out th whole story , the author uses the material rewards to help him to find his own spiritual rewards.