Symbols in The Alchemist

Symbol #1 --- Crystals

Definition : (noun)

1. A homogeneous solid formed by a repeating, three-dimensional pattern of atoms, ions, or molecules and having fixed distances between constituent parts.

2. A mineral, especially a transparent form of quartz, having a crystalline structure, often characterized by external

3. A high-quality, clear, colorless glass.planar faces.

Background :
1. There are a form where the atoms, molecules, ions and particles arranged in an organized 3 Dimension way.

2. This word is derived from the ancient Greek word κρύσταλλος (krustallos) which means "ice" and "freezing".

3. In literature, they have the meaning of "pureness" and "cleanness".

My thought :

In my memory, I think crystals are the most expensive things in the world and only the rich people can have a chance to get them. They are "living" in a worth, clean and the best world. In "The Alchemist", I think they are the symbols of the cleanness and the importance of the Personal Legends. Crystals bring me the feelings of pureness and happiness. It just likes when someone reach his/her own Personal Legend, they are successful in his/her life. It means he/she is the highest person than anybody else. Crystals are seemed the most beautiful, highest things in the world, just like the people aren't like the one who gives up to reach their Personal Legends. It means if Santiago reaches his Personal Legend, he would become the top one in his life.

Symbol #2 --- Narcissus

Definition : (noun)
1. Any bulbous plant belonging to the genus Narcissus, of the amaryllis family, having showy yellow or white flowers with a cup-shaped corona.

2. The flower of any of these plants.

Background :

1. ( Classical Mythology ) A youth who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool and wasted away from unsatisfied desire, where upon he was transformed into the flower.

2. ( 1983 Film : Black Narcissus ) It is a psychological drama about the emotional tensions, based on the novel of the same name by Rumer Godden.

3. ( Painting : Narcissus ) It is a painting by an Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, 1597~1599, Oil in Canvas, 110 cm × 92 cm (43 in × 36 in).

My thought :

When I hear the word "Narcissus", my brain would appear the story of Narcissus immediately, rather than that type of flowers. I think the appearance of the flower narcissus has some relationships with the mythology "Narcissus". The flower narcissus gives people a feeling of pure and angelical because of the white color. The people who are narcissus may think they have the most beautiful and pureness face in the world so they are kind of connect each other.

Symbol #3 --- Alchemy /Alchemists

Definition : (noun)

1. A person who is versed in or practices alchemy. (Alchemist)

2. A form of chemistry and speculative philosophy practiced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and concerned principally with discovering methods for transmuting baser metals into gold and with finding a universal solvent and an elixir of life. (Alchemist)

3. Any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value. (Alchemist)

Background :

1. (Film : The Alchemist) It is a 1984 film about a man who desires to avenge a curse placed on him by an evil magician.

2. (Japanese Manga : Fullmetal Alchemist) It is about two alchemists brothers who want to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy.

3. (Band : Alchemist) It is an Australian heavy metal from Canberra, combining death metal, progressive rock, psychedelic, Eastern, aboriginal, and electronic influences.

My thought :

In my opinion, I think the alchemy is kind of the same as the magic. The only difference is the alchemy is used by the chemical rules, which is the balancing equation. In the other hand, the alchemists are the chemists and the scientists. It looks kind of easy to use alchemy but actually it isn't. The alchemy is so complicant that normal people can't use it. I think the alchemist is kind of like the highest, smartest person in The Alchemist.

My impression on Santiago's road of LIFE

I think this picture is kind of explain what a LIFE is. In the Alchemist, Santiago chose to find his treasure, rather than went back to Spain as a successful man. In this picture, it shows a lot of "choices". The roads seem to represent that different choice can bring you to different future, but it was only a photo of the "processes". If Santiago chose to go back to Spain and never thought about to reach his own Personal Legend, this "road" will bring him to a completely different future. What I mean is: Every choices can "light" and "bring" you your future road. I don't know his choice can bring him to what kind of future and we can't know what is going to happen in the "front" road. That's why LIFE is interesting!!

Sabriel -- The Old Kingdom and ME

Today, I am going to talk about the connection between me and the story.



Sabriel went to the Old Kingdom, in order to discover what was going on on his Father. After she found his father's house, she needed to get out of it and to get away from the Mordicant. When she drove the Paperwing with Mogget (the Free Magic creature servant of Abhorsen), she met some Gore Crows on the way to Belisaere. In order to get away from the Grow Crows, she released Mogget's collar. Then, she even needed to fight with Mogget and tried to bind him again. (Summary)



All the things Sabriel was doing seemed that she made some "troubles" and then used the other "troubles" to fill up those "troubles". What I mean is : first, she was followed by Mordicant(trouble#1). Then, she went to his father's house to get away from it. She used Paperwing to escape. Unfortunately, she still met some Gore Crows (trouble#2) . Next, in order to "fill up" trouble #2, she released Mogget's collar( trouble#3). For example, you borrow $ from Bank. A and then you use the $, which is borrowed from Bank. B, to return to Bank. A. Then, you use the other $ from Bank. C to pay back the $. At the end, you will never "really" return the $. Actually, I always see this scene in the movie...

The Alchemist #2

I know Santiago was an adventure boy in the beginning of The Alchemist. He learned more things on the way while he was getting to the Pyramids than only being a shepherd. At first , he was just liked everybody else that he was afraid to “change”. He never thought about to follow his recurrent dream if the old king did’t show up. He never knew anything about omens. He never knew how to observe and read the omens. I think the old king became his HERO in his heart. When he met something challenged himself, his mind always showed up the time when the old king was talking to him. He earned a lot of experiences during the time he was with the old king even he wasn't realised. Santiago was close to become a successful man.

The Alchemist --- CHANGES in Santiago ?!

Santiago learned more things on the way while he was getting to the Pyramids than only being a shepherd. At first , he just liked everyone else that he was afraid to "Change". He never thought about to follow his recurrent dream if the old king didn’t show up. He never knew anything about omens. He never knew how to observe and read the omens. I think the old king became his HERO in his heart. When he met something challenged himself, his mind always showed up the time when the old king was talking to him. It means the old king affected him the most. The old king might even “light” Santiago’s road to his Personal Legend.

Besides, Santiago wasn’t afraid to change the way he always did, not liked the crystal merchant. He feared it might be disappointed himself after he changed something, so he never reached his own Personal Legend. In the beginning of the book, Santiago was anxious what would the “changes” bring to her but now he was more mature and confidence after all the experience he got from his journey.

Dear Mr. Garth Nix

March. 06 , 2009

Dear Mr. Garth Nix,

How are you? I am one of your "Sabriel" 's readers. Although I haven't finished it yet, it's a very exciting book. I pretty love "Sabriel" this character because she is an excellent girl. The main character of most of this kind of adventure stories is male, so I think it's kind of special for me.

When I started to read this book a week ago, I didn't get any of it completely. I didn't get anything about the worlds of Life and Death. How come she could cross those two worlds easily? And one more thing, what was Aboerson? These were just my questions at first, I cleared some of them later on when I continued to read it.

Sometimes, I felt a little bored when I saw so many desciptions in front of my eyes. I almost gave up but the feelings of nervous brought me back several times. When Sabriel met a monster after she summoned her guide or her "mother" (is it actually her "mom"?), she took her actions very fast. I thought the monster hit her already, but it didn't and she moved so fast. Her strongful power made me felt excited but when I kept reading it, I was very nervous and anxious just like I was "Sabriel" and I was fighting with that monster. After I finished reading that scene, I felt relaxed. I didn't know why it happened, like I have fallen into your "Old Kingdom". The only conclusion I had was Your descriptions were very good. Your description pulled me out of my world and brought me into your mysterious world. I think I will continue to read your "The Old Kingdom series". I am excited now, even I haven't finished "Sabriel" yet . ( >.< ) XD

P.S. I am appreciated to become one of your readers!!

Sincerely,

Mei Lan