Dialectical Journal Entry 1
Josh Wong
Pd. 5 World Lit.
4/1/15
Dialectical Journal Entry: The Alchemist
1. “And this is my interpretation: you must go to the Pyramids in Egypt. I have never heard of them, but, if it was a child who showed them to you, they exist. There you will find a treasure that will make you a rich man.”
Response: Santiago went to the old Gypsy woman to see if she could interpret his dream of a child taking him to the Pyramids, trying to reveal the location of the treasure. At this point, the adventure begins and the old woman convinced him that the treasure was at the Pyramids. However, she does not tell him what the treasure is. Instead of something being materialistic such as diamonds and gold, he could be rewarded with intangible things, such as knowledge and wisdom.
2. “If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
Response: This quote expresses the discouragement Santiago had for being at the seminary. He constantly saw many of the same people, who planned out his life for him. His father persistently wanted him to become a priest for the family, however his uneasiness allowed him to tell his father that he wasn’t going to do what he wanted, or what anybody else wanted.
3. “It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.”
Response: After Melchizedek explains about personal legends and the greatest lie, Santiago takes a turning point. At this time, Santiago decides to sell his sheep and go search for his own personal legend. However, he is reminded to never become too prideful in his journey and to always be alert.
Pd. 5 World Lit.
4/1/15
Dialectical Journal Entry: The Alchemist
1. “And this is my interpretation: you must go to the Pyramids in Egypt. I have never heard of them, but, if it was a child who showed them to you, they exist. There you will find a treasure that will make you a rich man.”
Response: Santiago went to the old Gypsy woman to see if she could interpret his dream of a child taking him to the Pyramids, trying to reveal the location of the treasure. At this point, the adventure begins and the old woman convinced him that the treasure was at the Pyramids. However, she does not tell him what the treasure is. Instead of something being materialistic such as diamonds and gold, he could be rewarded with intangible things, such as knowledge and wisdom.
2. “If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
Response: This quote expresses the discouragement Santiago had for being at the seminary. He constantly saw many of the same people, who planned out his life for him. His father persistently wanted him to become a priest for the family, however his uneasiness allowed him to tell his father that he wasn’t going to do what he wanted, or what anybody else wanted.
3. “It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.”
Response: After Melchizedek explains about personal legends and the greatest lie, Santiago takes a turning point. At this time, Santiago decides to sell his sheep and go search for his own personal legend. However, he is reminded to never become too prideful in his journey and to always be alert.