Fate, Destiny, and Personal Legends: Determinism in 'The Alchemist'

“The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho, is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it a few years ago, towards the end of my summer break, while on vacation in Lamu, Kenya. Although I had received the book as a gift over a month prior, its pages were still crisp, its spine remained unbroken. From the moment that I first opened the novel, to the second that I put it down, I felt myself transported from Lamu’s warm white sands to the small Spanish town of Tarifa. I was engrossed in a way that almost felt aggressive, ripped from my relaxing vacation into the tumultuous journey that defines “The Alchemist.” Needless to say, this novel is one of the best I have ever read. Its once crisp pages have been flipped through countless times, its paragraphs scribbled on and highlighted into oblivion. Those who want to ease themselves into the world of high-quality literature, this is the book for you.

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Despite the novel’s brevity, Paulo Coelho only needs 200 pages to immerse the reader into Santiago’s life as an Andalusian shepherd boy. The novel begins by describing Santiago’s vivid dreams, many of which feature a child telling him to seek treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. In an attempt to better understand these dreams, Santiago consults with a gypsy, who instructs him to seek the wisdom of King Melchizedek. The king determines that it is Santiago’s “Personal Legend,” to seek out the aforementioned treasure, and instructs him to travel to the Egyptian pyramids in pursuit of this undefined “treasure.” The rest of the novel discusses themes of fate, free will, and the meaning of life, all while Santiago continues to pursue his “Personal Legend.”

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Ultimately, Santiago’s quest takes him on a life-changing journey that empowers him to travel to distant lands, meet unique individuals, and find the love of his life. His dedication to this pursuit is first illustrated when he abandons all his earthly possessions, deciding instead to commit to learning the concept of alchemy from an unnamed Englishman. Apart from simply teaching Santiago the art of alchemy, this man tells him the story of the 200-year-old alchemist, a man who is rumored to be able to transform any metal into gold. Convinced that the alchemist will help him find his treasure, Santiago works in a crystal shop to earn enough money to continue his journey. It is here that he meets the alchemist, who ultimately helps him understand the importance of following his dreams. By the end, Santiago finds his treasure in the very location where he first had his recurring dream. But rather than uncovering a physical treasure, he realizes that the journey itself was his reward, and that his true destiny was to discover the power of his own heart and soul.

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In “The Alchemist,” pursuing one’s “Personal Legend” is the only means by which one can live a satisfying life. In fact, the universe can only achieve perfection if all things continuously undergo a cycle of achieving their “Personal Legend,” evolving into a higher being with a new legend, and then pursuing that new goal, etc. This recurring theme lies at the novel’s heart, and readers are shown that those who pursue their legends will be rewarded with love, material wealth, and internal fulfillment. Contrarily, those who neglect it will not only suffer from immense regret, but also fail to experience the internal and external prosperity that the universe bestows upon those who do choose to follow their “Personal Legends.”

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In multiple interviews, Coelho has said that the themes within his novels are designed to be applicable to the real world, which begs the question: how should we know what our “Personal Legend” is? In a world where every person seems to possess countless talents and passions, how is one expected to know what specifically to aspire towards? Especially at a school like Yale, where students are almost cripplingly well-rounded, it seems that our true purpose may simply be to identify what one’s legend would even be. Alas, therein lies the value of “The Alchemist.” It paints a picture of a society in which your purpose is predetermined, simply waiting for you to recognize it and follow the path that the universe has laid out for you.

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Upon my first reading of this novel, I felt comforted by the potential that each person could have a uniquely defined purpose, their own niche place within society. It reminded me of determinism, a philosophical concept that asserts that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by external causes, and are not subject to free will. Under determinist theory, the world of “The Alchemist” seems to make perfect sense. Nonetheless, I believe that internal happiness should not be defined by achieving the path that is already set out for you, but rather by forging your own. 

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Yet, there is something to be said for the argument that this fictional “Universe” simply knows us better than we know ourselves. Perhaps the life path that it would lay out for us truly would be the most fulfilling track for us to follow. Although “The Alchemist” tends to measure fulfillment in the external sense, that being, the way in which one most substantially contributes to the universe; it would be remiss to neglect the importance of internal fulfillment. Should we really dedicate ourselves towards the purpose that allows us to best outwardly contribute to the universe, or the one that provides us with the greatest level of internal peace? 

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To me, pursuing the answers to these questions is a cornerstone of the human experience. Although “The Alchemist” tries to simplify this, reducing life to the pursuit of one single goal, the novel still serves as a call to action for us all, motivating readers to reevaluate their decisions and ensure that their actions are ultimately leading towards a fulfilling purpose; whatever that might be. Through Santiago’s words, Coelho warns us that: “Very few follow the path laid out for them… the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.”

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Despite the fear or nervousness that often comes with some of life’s more difficult decisions, “The Alchemist'' serves as a reminder of the importance of exploring our passions. The Universe hasn’t laid out a path for us, and that should inspire us to forge our own. Ultimately, the wisdom that Coelho provides throughout this novel should empower us to seek fulfillment and never stop pursuing our “Personal Legend, our true reason for being.” Just as Santiago’s treasure lied in his journey, our fulfillment can only come from the continuous pursuit of joy.

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