Character Analysis Sample Answers

Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Santiago Sample Answers

Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the text to use as
evidence that provides insight into Santiago. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes Santiago, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the course of the
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
Character Description and Analysis

The novel’s protagonist, a young shepherd who sets out on a quest for treasure after an
encounter with a wise man named Melchizedek. Santiago learns from Melchizedek that
each person has the opportunity to pursue his or her Personal Legend, and Santiago
follows his from Southern Spain to the Egyptian Pyramids and back. Along the way
Santiago encounters a variety of characters who teach him about life and listening to his
heart. By the end of the novel, Santiago is confident in himself and in the Soul of the
World, which he believes looks out for him and connects all things.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Alchemist Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Alchemist. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Alchemist, including
relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over
the course of the text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

The title character of the story, the alchemist meets Santiago in the oasis where
Santiago’s desert caravan stops to avoid the tribal wars. The alchemist is a mentor for
Santiago, and he travels with him from the oasis nearly to the pyramids. The alchemist
practices the traditional methods of alchemy, studying metals and the process of turning
non-precious metal into gold, but he also shows Santiago how these lessons are
applicable to all of life. He teaches the young man that all of creation is interconnected
and that he can learn all he needs to know from studying any one thing, and from
listening to his heart.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Melchizedek (the Old Man) Sample

Answers
evidence that provides insight into Melchizedek (the Old Man). Then write
a paragraph that describes and analyzes Melchizedek (the Old Man),
including relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how (or if) they
develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

A wise man who meets Santiago at the beginning of his quest to find his treasure. The
fortune-teller has told Santiago of the treasure, but he is not convinced to pursue it
until he meets Melchizedek. Melchizedek tells him that he appears to people at the
moment when they are considering giving up on their Personal Legends. Melchizedek is
a Biblical figure known as the King of Salem, and is venerated as a saint.
3
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Fatima Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Fatima. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes Fatima, including relationships, traits,
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Santiago’s love interest, Fatima is a woman living in the desert oasis. As a desert
woman, she is stoic and steadfast. The love between Santiago and Fatima is help up as
ideal – a love that is sincere and true but also involves faith rather than any effort to
control the beloved. Fatima believes in letting her beloved Santiago wander free, and
encourages him to pursue his Personal Legend. She promises to wait for him while he
does so.
4
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Englishman Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Englishman. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Englishman, including
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

a British man who has come to northern Africa in search of the alchemist. He has
studied alchemy from books, but he wishes to complete the Master Work—the
production of the Philosopher’s Stone and the Elixir of Life—and he feels that he’ll be
able to learn these things from the alchemist. He and Santiago develop a
companionship, despite their differences. Santiago encourages the Englishman to
observe the caravan and the desert more, and the Englishman encourages Santiago to
read more. Once in the oasis, the Englishman overcomes his fear of failure and starts to
work on the Master Work.
5
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Camel Driver Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Camel Driver. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Camel Driver, including
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

An unnamed camel driver accompanies the desert caravan and shares his life
perspective with Santiago. The camel driver lives entirely in the moment, and therefore
does not fear death or the possibility of dying, even though his caravan travels through
the tribal wars in the desert. Santiago learns patience from the camel driver, and how to
do each thing in its own time.
6
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Crystal Merchant Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Crystal Merchant. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Crystal Merchant, including
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

When Santiago first arrives in Morocco, he is robbed and at a loss for how to either
continue his quest or to return to his homeland. He sees a crystal shop and asks the
merchant for work. He then continues to work with the crystal merchant for several
months, because the man is a fair employer. Santiago is innovative, and encourages the
crystal merchant to expand his business by adding an outdoor display, and by also
selling tea. The crystal merchant resists these changes, because he is content with his
small business, just as he fears realizing his dream of traveling to Mecca, because he
worries that he won’t have anything to live for if his dream is realized.
7
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Fortune-teller Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Fortune-teller. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Fortune-teller, including
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

A gypsy woman whom Santiago meets at the beginning of the novel. She interprets his
recurring dream about the Egyptian Pyramids as a sign that he should travel to that
place and seek a great treasure. As payment, she makes Santiago promise her 1/10th of
the total of his treasure. When Santiago eventually finds the treasure, he holds true to
this promise.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Thief (the Young Man) Sample

Answers
evidence that provides insight into The Thief (the Young Man). Then write
a paragraph that describes and analyzes The Thief (the Young Man),
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

When Santiago arrives at the city of Tangier in Morocco, he stops at a bar where he
meets a young man who speaks Spanish. Santiago wants to pay the young man to serve
as a guide to take him to the pyramids, but the young man takes his money and then
vanishes in the busy market plaza.
9
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Elder Chief of Al-Fayoum Sample

Answers
evidence that provides insight into The Elder Chief of Al-Fayoum. Then
write a paragraph that describes and analyzes The Elder Chief of Al-
Fayoum, including relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how (or if)
they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

The elder chief is the leader of the tribal people living in the oasis Al-Fayoum. Santiago
goes to the chieftains with his vision of a future in which the oasis, a supposed neutral
zone, is attacked by an enemy tribe. The elder chief makes the decision to believe
Santiago and to arm his people, but he says that if the prophecy does not come true,
Santiago will be killed. The prophecy is fulfilled, and the oasis people are able to hold off
the potential invaders.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Enemy Chieftan Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Enemy Chieftan. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Enemy Chieftan, including
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

As they travel toward the pyramids, Santiago and the alchemist are taken prisoner by
a tribe engaged in the desert wars. The alchemist bargains for their lives by asking that
they be given three days to let Santiago demonstrate that he can turn himself into the
wind. As Santiago attempts this, the wind blows fiercely. While the other tribesmen beg
to end the storm, the general insists that he wants to see the power of Allah, and won’t
give up until Santiago succeeds. Once Santiago succeeds, the general honors his
promise and frees him and the alchemist.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Leader of the Refugees Sample

Answers
evidence that provides insight into The Leader of the Refugees. Then
write a paragraph that describes and analyzes The Leader of the
Refugees, including relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how (or
if) they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

When Santiago is digging for his treasure near the pyramids, he is approached by a
group of refugees from the tribal wars. The men beat him and steal the portion of gold
he is carrying. The leader of the refugees tells Santiago that he will not find treasure in
that place. Two years earlier the leader of the refugees slept on that same spot, and had
a dream about an abandoned church in Spain where there was buried treasure. From
this, Santiago realizes the truth of where his treasure is buried.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Santiago’s Heart Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Santiago’s Heart. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes Santiago’s Heart, including
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Santiago’s heart is given a voice and distinct characteristics as he learns to listen to
what it says. His heart is afraid of losing his loved ones and of Santiago not finding his
treasure, because the heart knows that it will suffer if these things happen. Santiago also
learns from his heart how to hear the Language of the World, and to communicate with
the desert, the wind, and the sun.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Desert Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Desert. Then write a paragraph
that describes and analyzes The Desert, including relationships, traits,
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

When Santiago and the alchemist are taken prisoner by a hostile tribe, the alchemist
barters for their release and uses as leverage the opportunity to see Santiago turn
himself into the wind. Santiago then listens to his heart, which allows him to speak to
the desert, the wind, and the sun, as he tries to learn how to transform himself.
Santiago speaks to the desert about love, and the desert offers its sands to help the
wind blow, but it cannot transform Santiago into the wind.
14
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Wind Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Wind. Then write a paragraph
that describes and analyzes The Wind, including relationships, traits,
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Santiago speaks to the wind, which resists his request. The wind is proud, but it realizes
that even it cannot transform Santiago into the wind. It blows a storm of sand into the air
so that Santiago can look at and speak to the sun without blinding himself.
15
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Sun Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Sun. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes The Sun, including relationships, traits,
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Santiago speaks to the sun, and it speaks to him about the creation of everything. The
sun tells him to pray to “the hand that wrote all” in order to achieve his transformation.
16
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Merchant’s Daughter Sample

Answers
evidence that provides insight into The Merchant’s Daughter. Then write
a paragraph that describes and analyzes The Merchant’s Daughter,
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

The daughter of a merchant to whom Santiago sold some sheep. She is the object of
Santiago’s affections at the beginning of the novel, and he impresses her with his
stories. Although Santiago anticipates his return to her, the merchant’s daughter is
forgotten when he sets out on his quest to actualize his Personal Legend. On his quest
Santiago meets and falls in love with Fatima.
17
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Narcissus Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Narcissus. Then write a paragraph
that describes and analyzes Narcissus, including relationships, traits,
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Narcissus appears in the brief prologue to the novel, in the context of a story read by
the alchemist. As in his original Ancient Greek legend, Narcissus is so in love with his
own beautiful reflection that he gazes at it in a lake until he falls into the water and
drowns.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Lake Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Lake. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes The Lake, including relationships, traits,
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

The Lake appears in the brief prologue to the novel, in the context of a story read by the
alchemist. In a twist on the original Greek legend, the lake mourns for Narcissus
because she has lost the opportunity to see her own beautiful reflection in his eyes. The
prologue functions as a cautionary tale against self-love.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______

Santiago Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Alchemist Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

Melchizedek (the Old Man) Sample

Character Description and Analysis

Fatima Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Englishman Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Camel Driver Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Crystal Merchant Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Fortune-teller Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Thief (the Young Man) Sample

Character Description and Analysis

The Elder Chief of Al-Fayoum Sample

Character Description and Analysis

The Enemy Chieftan Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Leader of the Refugees Sample

Character Description and Analysis

Santiago’s Heart Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Desert Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Wind Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Sun Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Merchant’s Daughter Sample

Character Description and Analysis

Narcissus Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Lake Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

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