The Alchemist, is the mystery and spiritual book by Paulo Coelho, is a Brazilian writer and songwriter, is about the Personal Legend. The Alchemist, who knows the philosophy of the stones and introduce in late of the book, encourage Santiago, the main character of the story, to follow his heart. The alchemist finds the book that wrote about the myth of Narcissus. "The alchemist knew the legend of Narcissus, a youth who knelt daily beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty. He was so fascinated by himself that, one morning, he fell into the lake and drowned. At the spot where he fell, a flower was born, which was called the Narcissus" (ix). Coelho, the author of the book, continue the story is different though. The goddess of the forest comes to the lake after Narcissus had died. She finds lake was transformed into the pure tears. The lake was crying for the Narcissus because missed the reflection of his beauty in his eyes. The Alchemist feels happy when reading this version of the story.
The Narcissus spotlight the question about selfishness which opposite of love because when we are in the love mood, we can't put ourselves in the center. Santiago, during his journey, falls in love with Fatima, the young beautiful Arab woman, who pursue him to following his dreams. Santiago tempted to stay in oasis and marry to Fatima but the alchemist guides him to continue his Personal Legend. The alchemist convinces him to know the Soul of the world. He encourage him to transfers himself to wind and able to talk to the sun, desert and wind. Symbolically, the alchemist inspires him to love the nature, human and inanimate objects instead of selfless or selfishness. The alchemist also assistant Santiago to the process of spiritual purifying into purification. And also, Fatima associate him with pure love. Fatima teaches Santiago the true love set us free and she doesn't keep him for herself. A young Arab woman who lives in the oasis, encourage Santiago to pursue his dream then return back to her because if he didn't realize his destiny after a while the shepherd has a regret and gradually their love turn cold. Her reaction is not common that's why when Santiago left her, he starts to compare Fatima with the wives of his friends who struggle with their wives to explain the shepherd have to go to the distance. Santiago admires Fatima and loves only growth with admiration. But even though, the shepherd suffers to leaves Fatima but he prefers to find his treasure. Santiago like the Narcissus just contemplates himself and his Personal Legend. The most important things for him is achieving his dreams. He focuses on himself and this is opposite of the meaning of the true love.The only woman character in the story is Fatima and she is the only one who expresses the language of the love to the main character. Fatima and the alchemist enhance Santiago and us to track the true beauty within the universe and the Soul of the World. In my opinion, she understands true loves more than the Santiago because instead of owning the man for herself she set him free. In addition, Coelho, during Santiago's character shows us the man more concentrate about himself and reflect on his image to others than the woman. "Because people become fascinated with pictures and words, and wind up forgetting the Language of the World” (87).
