The Alchemist

• Genre: Fiction; allegorical fantasy
• Originally Published: 1988
• Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
• Structure/Length: 2 parts; approx. 208 pages; approx. 4 hours on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, travels in search of buried treasure and learns important life lessons during his journey.

Paulo Coelho, Author

• Bio: Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1947; currently resides in Switzerland; has worked as an actor, director, and songwriter; member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002; has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2007
• Other Works: The Pilgrimage (2009); Warrior of the Light (2004)
• Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award; Grinzane Cavour Book Award; United Kingdom’s Nielsen Gold Book Award (2004)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Dreams and Omens
• Gold, Treasure, and Money
• Fear and Loneliness

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Gain an understanding of allegory as the literary form that structures Coelho’s novel.
• Discuss the historical and biblical allusions incorporated into Coelho’s novel.
• Analyze the importance of historical and biblical figures to character development through the Activity and Discussion Prompts.