The Alchemist Allusion Report Jordan Brooke Edmondson Honors English 2 January 2, 2014 Mrs.

Brecher Period 2B Allusion #1 -The Five Pillars of Islam -Pg 38 -The Five Pillars of Islam are the guidelines for the Islam religion. These guidelines are: profession of faith, prayer, giving of Alms, fasting and Pilgrimage. The Five Pillars of Islam originate from the Quran. Santiago is foreign to this culture and religion; he expresses close-mindedness towards this new situation. -The importance of this allusion is being open and aware of surroundings, or in Santiagos case his personal legend. If Santiago did not embrace his surroundings, he would not have been exposed to his personal legend. Allusion #2 -The Moors -Pg 5, pg 27 and pg 167 -The Moors refer to the Islamic people who invaded Spain in the eighth century. The Greeks referred to the Moors as Ethiopians. Santiago is doing the opposite of the Moors; he is traveling from Spain to Africa while the Moors traveled from Africa to Spain. -The first attack of the Moorish invasion was at Tarifa. Tarifa was an important part of the beginning of the book, and it was the first point of Santiago's journey to Africa. Allusion #3 -Salem -Pg 33 -Salem is also known as Jerusalem, one of the biggest cities involving Jewish and Muslim religions. To Muslims, Jerusalem used to be their holy city until Hijrah changed it to Mecca. -Salem, Jerusalem, is in the Alchemist because Melchizedek is the King of Salem. He helps Santiago begin his journey on his Personal Legend. Allusion #4 -The Philosophers Stone -Pg 66 and pg 133 -The Philosopher's Stone is a substance that can supposedly turn low priced metals into gold and even make people young. The Greek word chrysopoeia translates into the Philosophers Stone. -The Philosophers Stone is part of the Alchemists Personal Legend; he later uses this stone along with the Elixir of Life to show Santiago how to turn metal into gold. The stone and elixir save the Alchemist and Santiagos lives that day. Allusion #5 -Nile -Pg 76 -The Nile is the longest river in the world and is over 4200 miles long. In Egypt the Nile provided means of transportation and agriculture, which helped Egypt flourish. The Greek word Neilos translates to the Nile. -The Nile greatly symbolizes the theme of interconnectedness and how everything happens for a reason. If the camel drivers home had not been flooded by the Nile then he would not have shared his wisdom or help Santiago in his journey to his Personal Legend.

Allusion #6 -Maktub -Pgs 59, 61, 74, 77, 93, 97 and 108 -Maktub has no Greek origin but it means it is written. Maktub is used constantly through the book and its the characters acknowledging that whatever will happen, Allah already knows. -Maktub and determinism go hand-in-hand with the Islam religion. It supports the Muslim belief that He has written all and people should not fear because everything happens for a reason and we are all in His hands. Allusion #7 -Simum -Pg 153 -Simum is a powerful and dangerous wind that destroys everything in its path. Santiago calls upon Desert, Wind, Sun and Allah to help him create a Simum. Simoom is the Greek word for Simum. -By Santiago being able to create a Simum and become Wind, he is following the path of his Personal Legend. Not only has Santiago impressed himself but the Alchemist and the Chief. This pleases Allah for Santiago now understands the glory of God. Allusion #8 -Sahara Desert -Pg 47 -The Sahara is the largest desert in the world and provides little to no resources to Santiago as he crosses this vast desert. Santiago needs money to cross the desert and cannot get a loan from the crystal merchant. Santiago is making mental plans on how to get to Egypt. The word oikopedon is the Greek word for desert. -The crystal merchant talks about the Sahara Desert when Santiago says he needs money to get to Egypt. The author uses the desert as a symbol to illustrate Santiagos persistence to conquer his personal legend. Allusion #9 -Al-Fayoum -Pg 67 -Santiago and the Englishman are about to start their journey across the desert. The Englishman is trying to find the Alchemist. This section is narrated through the Englishman. -The oasis called Al-Fayoum is a place that represents a stop along the way for both the Englishman and Santiago while on their Personal Legend. Allusion #10 -Andalusia -Pg 28 -Santiago has left his mother and father in Andalusia to follow his Personal Legend. Santiago confesses that his sheep, the merchants daughter Andalusia were the beginning of his journey. He is breaking all of his ties to Andalusia before he leaves. -This is the point where Santiago has fully committed to finding his Personal Legend. This illustrates the theme of letting things go to get to where you want to be, Santiago is letting all of his favorite possessions go so that he may find his Personal Legend.