IndexIntroductionSantiago's initial personal legend in The AlchemistLove as a Blessing in The AlchemistConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionThroughout his life, Santiago faces many obstacles that he uses as blessings to move toward fulfillment of his dream. In The Alchemist, Santiago's personal legend is twisted and captivating. First of all, the most notable obstacle is the will of his parents. Santiago's father wants him to become a priest because it is considered an honor for a peasant family. But Santiago's ambition is to discover the world and it is "more important to him than knowing God and knowing the sins of man" (Coelho, 11). Santiago struggles to tell his father that he wants to travel because he doesn't want his father to be unhappy with his decision. One day, when Santiago gathers enough courage, he tells his father "that he didn't want to become a priest". Who wanted to travel' (Coelho, 11). After convincing his father to allow him to travel, Santiago obtains three gold coins to begin his journey. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Santiago's Initial Personal Legend in The Alchemist Then, Santiago travels through the fields of Andalusia and, eventually, travels to the pyramids, where his treasure lies. Santiago goes against his father's wishes and is able to proceed towards achieving his goal. Listening to his heart becomes significant when he travels to Egypt to achieve his ultimate goal. Even though Santiago's parents want him to become a priest, Santiago chooses to follow his dream which allows him to live a definitive life and finds his hidden treasure. Furthermore, when Santiago begins his journey, he encounters another obstacle: being robbed on his first day in Africa, which motivates him to persevere. While drifting through the streets of Tarifa, Santiago meets Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who advises Santiago to leave for Africa to fulfill his personal legend. When Santiago arrives in Tangier, he meets a young man, whom he asks to lead him on his journey. Santiago, admiring a sheathed sword at the market, looks around and sees "people coming and going, shouting and buying, and the aroma of strange foods... but nowhere could he find his new companion... " (Coelho, 41). While walking through the streets of Tangier, the young man disappears with Santiago's money, earned by selling his sheep to his friend. Undoubtedly, without money, Santiago cannot continue or return to Spain. However, the loss of all his money encourages Santiago to look for a job. His encouragement becomes important when Santiago works at a crystal merchant's shop. He convinces the merchant to build a shop window and sell tea in crystal glasses, which attracts many customers. Santiago helps the crystal merchant's business grow and raises enough money to travel to Egypt or return to being a shepherd again. Thus, encouraging himself after the robbery, Santiago moves towards his goal while earning money and gaining knowledge. Ultimately, as Santiago advances toward his personal legend, he experiences love, which resists him in achieving his goal. After working with the crystal merchant, Santiago takes the caravan to the pyramids, where he is required to stay in an oasis due to tribal wars. While in Al-Fayoum, while helping the Englishman find the alchemist, Santiago meets a desert woman, with whom he falls in love at first sight. When he meets the woman, named Fatima, Santiago experiences the language of the world. Love as a Blessing in The Alchemist After meeting Fatima, Santiago wishes to stay with her and,, 1993.