The Alchemist Critical Lens Essay

Most people would say that, “after the lowest part of your life, there will always be a light that follows it”. In Night by Elie Wiesel and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, characters are placed in a situation where in they are challenged. However, after all the hard work and sacrifice they went through it all paid off at the end. As the story progresses in each book, characters go through tons of complications which then causes them to have the mindset of giving up. Although life is a gamble, unless risk is put into action light will not be seen. Taking chances is a must for light to shine. In Night, the deep desire of escaping the concentrated camps dehumanized many. Elie and his family along with other characters in the book were slaughtered,
As story progresses, Santiago whom is often referred to “The boy or he, his or him” faces challenges that made him consider leaving his quest of reaching the pyramids. The thief who stole his money for his journey, caused him to sell his flock of sheep which he considered to be his way of living. “He was no longer a shepherd, and he has nothing not even the money to return everything (Coelho 37). The form of sufferings experienced on The Alchemist contrasts the form of sufferings in Night. In order to reach Elie and Santiago’s main goal both had to sacrifice themselves in order for them to get a taste of
The strong need for getting through all the difficulties did not just inspire the characters to push through but to also realize that to reach ones desire sacrifice is always needed. Just like Elie, by accepting the torture that the Nazis had given him and pushing through the end caused him to make it out the concentration camp which seemed to be impossible at the first. On the other hand, Santiago in the Alchemist showed that by sacrificing ones happiness and life he was able to reach his end goal of finding his treasure and discovering his own personal legend. Life will always throw rocks to bring us down but to keep in mind that after every thunderstorms, rain and darkness, light will always be found right