Symbolism In The Alchemist

An important symbol in “The Alchemist” is the desert. The desert symbolizes the hardships and obstacles one must undergo before he can achieve his dreams and ultimately his destiny. Santiago had to endure scorching heat, tribal feuds, and barrenness of the desert in order to find his destiny and his true love. Santiago’s willingness to achieve his destiny, emphasizes the importance of being determined and resolute. When Santiago had all his earnings stolen, he did not give up but instead worked a whole year to gain the money to travel to Egypt. Unlike the merchant and the baker, whose unwillingness lead to unhappiness and sadness, Santiago’s resolute mindset lead to self-enlightenment and true happiness.
Part 4 The main theme in my opinion,