The Alchemist Flashcards

1
Q

Why does Santiago believe Melchizedek?

A

he knows things about Santiago he has never told anyone

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2
Q

What are Urim and Thummim?

A

stones that represent “yes” and “no” to help understand omens

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3
Q

In Africa, Santiago began work as _________.

A

a crystal merchant’s assisstant

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4
Q

Maktuh means

A

“it is written” or “destiny”

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5
Q

The Englishman hopes to become __________.

A

an alchemist

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6
Q

Who is Fatima?

A

the desert woman Santiago falls in love with

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7
Q

Levanter, sirocco, and simum are names for different ________.

A

winds

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8
Q

The Prologue re-tells a fable about __________.

A

Narcissus

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9
Q

Four obstacles stand in the way of a person who tries to live his or her dream. They are _____.

A

discouragement, love, fear of the unknown, and fear of realizing your dream

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10
Q

The author is a citizen of what country?

A

Brazil

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11
Q

Why is Santiago’s dream strange?

A

it is recurring and very mysterious

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12
Q

When Santiago consults a Gypsy woman about his dream, what does she say he must pay?

A

1/10 of his treasure to her

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13
Q

According to the author, sheep are a metaphor for ________.

A

sheep sit around and do nothing and worry about simple things instead of following their personal legends

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14
Q

What job did Santiago’s parents hope he would have when he was an adult?

A

a priest

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15
Q

What is the world’s greatest lie?

A

at a certain point we lose control and life is taken over by fate

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16
Q

Why are there religious references in the novel?

A

to make santiago’s journey more a religious quest

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17
Q

Melchizedek explains the concept of the Personal Legend by saying that it is

A

what a person most desires to accomplish in life

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18
Q

According to the old man, what must Santiago follow?

A

omens

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19
Q

Spain is what religion? __________ Tangier is ___________.

A
  • Catholic

- Muslim

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20
Q

When Santiago completes his first year of working in Tangier, he makes the decision to do what?

A

go home (but he is really going to the pyramids)

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21
Q

A leitmotif is a recurring theme throughout a musical or literary composition associated with a particular person, idea, or situation. Which character is frequently used as a leitmotif in the novel?

A

Malchezidec

22
Q

What are the qualities of alchemy?

A

inscribed on the emerald tablet
everything comes from one source
master work is a liquid and a solid

23
Q

Which group of people serve as guides / scouts in the desert?

A

Bedouins

24
Q

According to the Englishman, what are caravans like?

A

books

25
Q

What is the oasis?

A

a safe-town that is peaceful and hospitable to travellers

26
Q

Who (What?) is Al-Fayoum?

A

the oasis

27
Q

Santiago sees two hawks fighting, and he understands this as an omen for what?

A

the oasis is going to be attacked

28
Q

How does the alchemist arrive

A

on a white horse

29
Q

The alchemist says one must never let up on his quest. Santiago accepts this advice because___________.

A

it reminds him of the old king

30
Q

In the desert, Santiago turns himself into

A

the wind

31
Q

At the monastery, the alchemist distributed gold in what proportions?

A

1/4 for the monk
1/4 for the boy
1/4 for the alchemist
1/4 for if the boy’s money is stolen again

32
Q

What fable tells the Secret of Happiness?

A

the merchant’s son and the two drops of oil

33
Q

When Santiago saw the Pyramids, he does what?

A

drops to the ground and cries

34
Q

As Santiago digs for treasure, he is approached by whom?

A

strange Arab war refugees wanting money

35
Q

One of the robbers tells Santiago about a dream of treasure where?

A

in the fields of Spain near a church where shepherds live

36
Q

The treasure Santiago found was gold buried by whom?

A

spanish conquistadors?

37
Q

What does it mean when a woman is dressed in black in the oasis, a Muslim society?

A

she is married

38
Q

The “Language of the World” is defined as ________.

A

communications between souls that have no language barriers

39
Q

As a daughter of the desert, Fatima says that she knows how to do what?

A

wait

40
Q

Santiago’s vision of the two fighting hawks signifies what?

A

the oasis will be attacked; he is good at reading omens

41
Q

What test do the chieftains outline for Santiago?

A

if Santiago is right about the attack they will make him a council member but if he is wrong they will kill him

42
Q

After the battle, what advice does the alchemist give to Santiago?

A

sell your camel and buy a horse

43
Q

The Englishman can be classified as what kinds of character?

A

supporting character meant to represent book knowledge

44
Q

When the alchemist advises Santiago to listen to his heart, he is saying…

A

do not let yourself be afraid to follow your dreams

45
Q

Who does the alchemist tell the military camp leader is the true alchemist?

A

the boy

46
Q

The real alchemist says that Santiago is an alchemist to

A

the military camp leader

47
Q

Who does Santiago ask for help when he must become the wind, and in what order?

A

wind
sun
God

48
Q

What did the alchemist do at the Coptic monastery?

A

turn lead into gold

49
Q

The point of the alchemist’s story about the Roman emperor Tiberius is to…

A

everyone plays an important role in the web of history, whether they know it or not

50
Q

What omen does the boy see when he finally reaches the Pyramids?

A

a scarab beetle appears where he was crying

51
Q

Where does Santiago find his treasure?

A

at home in Spain

52
Q

why must he return to Tarifa?

A

Fatima!