Journey To The Quest: The Path Of Self Actualization In Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist”

Abstract

Paulo Coelho’s hypnotizing novel The Alchemist is regarded as his monumental work, and he shared his personal experiences that remark the universal appeal. This novel is based on the theme of heart-searching, the living of one’s dream, meaningfulness and spiritual attainment through self-awareness. The aim of this research study was to Coelho’s protagonist explore the existential search for the ultimate meaning and purpose of the existence. The story of the novel is about a young Andalusian shepherd boy, Santiago, who search for the fulfillment of his destiny and he learns a few valuable life lessons on the way. The protagonist is in search of his identity the quest comes to an end in a self- realization which reveals that he is part of the universal soul. Coelho has point out the art of living: how to make life interesting by following one’s dream. He claims that one has to find one’s personal legend or the very purpose of being. Coelho appeals that rightly the ultimate secret of success in life is love, for it is at the root of personal transformation and collective evolution. The present paper seeks to explore the self-actualized hero of the protagonist Santiago’s journey completely changes his life.